This is because the Russian Orthodox church still uses the Julian calendar which Russia as a whole followed until after the Communist revolution in 1917 (Interestingly, this is also why the commemorations for the October revolution take place in November).

Skiing resorts and Christmas theme parks around St.Petersbourg

Despite this, a visit to St Petersburg in the run up to December 25th can be an enchanting experience. For one thing, Russia in December is almost guaranteed to be covered in a thick and crisp white coating of snow. This will allow visitors of all ages to fulfil their winter wonderland fantasies. Just outside the city there are several ski and snowboarding resorts and also Christmas themes parks where kids can ride reindeer through snowy forests.

The city itself also has more than enough for most visitors. Christmas markets spring up throughout the centre of the city where visitors can buy anything from traditional Russian handicrafts, tasty treats or counterfeit designer clothing straight from China.

Although the temperatures can fall very low in December, in the appropriate warm clothing a walk along the banks of the Neva, either frozen solid or in the process, is a great way of seeing the city. Many historical ships and submarines are moored along the banks throughout the winter and the architecture on display is simply stunning.

Dining options in St.Petersburg

Just a few years ago the choices available to prospective diners in St Petersburg were dire, with microwave cooking a particular speciality. This has now changed and the choice available to visitors looking to warm up is almost overwhelming. The very top end of the market is dominated by extortionate prices and mafia bosses. Sushi has grasped the Russian market like a second home and Russian interpretations of traditional sushi dishes are interesting and, usually, tasty.

Christmas shopping in St.Petersburg

There are several souvenir markets scattered around city so visitors can do their Christmas shopping in St Petersburg and give all their friends and family Russian themed gifts. These specialise in reproduction Soviet artefacts which have a certain kitsch value. Be aware, however, that these places can seem to charge ridiculous prices but they expect you to bargain. You should aim to reduce their opening offer by 50% although you may have to settle for a little bit more.

St Petersburg is served by daily flights to every major European city and by less frequent flights to many others, although the flights can be more expensive than budget flights on busier routes.

Top 5 St.Petersburg hotels for a Christmas holiday in Russia

• Hotel The Brothers Kazamarov – 3-star hotel – double room from €82
• Hotel Northern lights – 3-star hotel – double room from €44
• Hotel Petro Palace – 4-star hotel – double room from €69
• Comfort Hotel – 3-star hotel – double room from €93
• Hotel Nouvelle Europe – 3-star hotel – double room from €43

Photo of Christmas lights in St.Petersburg, Russia, by Ambrosio Photography

The phrase is no longer original but the sentiment is still relevant, as the throbbing, pulsing London and the hordes of visitors it draws each year attest. Despite this, visitors often find that day trips out of the city can be refreshing and many chose to turn to bastions of Englishness after the worldly city. This is a guide to some truly English trips possible from London.

1. Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle has been a residence of nobility for about one thousand years and once hosted fashionable and exclusive parties for the aristocracy and their friends in the lower orders. Today it welcomes visitors on a more inclusive basis to tour the interiors and relax in the gardens and around the lake. Make sure that you take in the unusual museum of dog collars collected by eccentric family members down the years. Visitors should be aware that the castle is nowhere near Leeds, the city in the north of England, but rather in Kent, to the south of London.

Leeds Castle is approximately an hour’s journey from London Victoria station.

London Hotel near Victoria Station : St. George’s Hotel

2. Norwich

Norwich is an ancient English town in the fine county of Norfolk. It is also, because of the regions agriculture, the home of English mustard. While many foreign guests find this condiment too strong for their tastes, the English roast beef cannot be truly enjoyed without it. Visitors can combine a trip to Norwich with a visit to the Colman’s museum and shop. While this is really best for connoisseurs it is interesting enough for the general guest, and the shop sells Colman’s merchandise for the truly English feel at your dinner table back home.

Norwich is approximately an hour and a half from London’s Liverpool Street Station.

London Hotel near Liverpool Street Station : Hotel 196 Bishopgate

3. The Museum of Witchcraft

The Museum of Witchcraft is located in Boscastle, Cornwall. This means that it is a bit far to be done in a single day but since Cornwall is one of the most beautiful parts of England a stay overnight is no bad thing. Certainly, any Harry Potter fans will enjoy this (I think there are one or two out there) and it is interesting for adults as well. In fact, while none of the exhibits are unsuitable for children one or two of them will need some explaining to the young ones. Trains from London Paddington go to Cornwall in about three hours, although public transport within Cornwall can be unreliable. If you have time the best advice is to hire a car to fully explore the sheltered coves and sandy beaches the county has to offer.

London Hotel near Paddington Station : Hotel Cardiff

In each of these three cases the journey to them and the city, town or village around them should give just as much insight into the real England as the attractions themselves. Just getting out of London and seeing some of the ‘green and pleasant land’ will give you that much more energy when you get back to the big city.

Photo of the Museum of Witchcraft, Boscastle, UK, by Ennor

While destinations further east continue to draw the masses looking for cheap thrills behind the former Iron Curtain, Vienna will remain one of the most refined cities in Europe.

The selection of exclusive luxury hotels in Vienna is excellent. The presence of the UN, IAEA and OSCE in the city means that it is used to catering for high ranking international delegations. Visitors can choose between the refined and elegant Old Masters or the chic and stylish modern additions. Either way, visitors are guaranteed an indulgent stay with masterful service.

The cuisine in Vienna is different to that in other Austrian towns, primarily because of the large migrant population in the city. Excellent restaurants are dotted around the city in almost every culinary style imaginable. The famous Weiner Schnitzel is part of traditional Austrian cooking or visitors could try something a little more exotic.

Vienna is particularly well known for its cultural attractions. These include world class theatre and opera, exquisite museums based on the former Royal collections and magical architecture. Depending on your tastes you could spend days or weeks here, lost in the world of fantasy that produced Mozart, Klimt and so many other artistic greats.

But Vienna is not just about culture, it is about exploring the finer things in life in many different ways. A number of quality private spas are located in and around the city, many building on Austrian tradition but giving them satisfyingly modern twists. Many are also built to run on renewable energy sources so a day of pampering need not come at a cost to the environment.

Just forty-five minutes from Vienna is the Neusidler-See, an inland lake that is a haven for sailing and boating of all kinds. The lake is also situated in the middle of Burgenland, the wine centre of Austria. A string of top restaurants around the lake shore mean that visitors can call in to taste the freshest fish pulled from the lake and sample the local wines.

Vienna International Airport hosts direct flights from all over the world, especially North America and the Middle East. Easyjet flies from the UK but most other budget carriers prefer to use other airports in the region, which makes them inconvenient for getting to Vienna.

For one hundred and fifty years as the capital of an empire Vienna honed the skills of providing luxury, pleasure and indulgence to those that mattered. Nowadays these skills are available to discerning guests as well as Royalty. While the travel herds head west to the coast of Spain or east to the emerging tourist markets, Vienna knows that it will always be able to attract those with suitable taste and sophistication.

Top 5 Luxury Hotels in Vienna

• Ambassador Hotel – Double room from €216
• Hotel Bristol – Double room from €275
• The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel – Double room from €259
• Grand Hotel Wien – Double room from €209
• Hotel The Levante Parliament - Double room from €160

Photo courtesy of  The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel

It is now a fully assimilated member of the EU and as such has been welcoming a steady stream of tourists eager to explore this former mystery. However, for those who have an interest and are prepared to look, there are some interesting, and some chilling, reminders of the dark days of the past.

• Tallinn’s former Soviet officers building

Set slightly out of the centre, the former Soviet officers building is the most obvious relic of the years of occupation. Visitors can see the once ubiquitous hammer and sickle motif that has been removed from almost all other locations in the city. It survives here because the building still belongs to the Russian government and serves as a cultural centre. The building is located at number 5, Mere Pulestee.

• Tallinn’s former Soviet soldier memorial

In 2007, Tallinn hit the global headlines when it moved a Soviet monument to the fallen of World War II. The statue had become a focal point for Estonian demonstrators of Russian ethnicity and so the Estonian government moved the monument to the Defence Forces cemetery. The monument takes the form of a bronze statue of a solider named Alyosha. The statue is considered to be an icon of the city and visitors will see depictions of the statue everywhere from mugs to t-shirts. Visitors who want to see the actual statue and not just a picture on a t-shirt should head to the cemetery at Filtree Tee, out near the coast.

• Tallinn’s former KGB headquarters

At number 1 Pagari is perhaps the most unsettling example of the Soviet legacy in Estonia. The former KGB headquarters is marked by a plaque commemorating those who died in the repressions and the menacing bricked up cellar windows. From this building the KGB unleashed not one but two waves of terror as Estonia, along with the other Baltic States, suffered a first Soviet invasion, then the Nazi invasion and occupation, followed by a second Soviet invasion.

• Tallinn’s Stalinist Monolith

Finally, competing for the most ironic of the Soviet legacy buildings is the casino that is housed in a Stalinist monolith. The wedding cake style was perfected in Moscow and spread across Eastern Europe as communist governments rushed to try and please Stalin. Estonia’s example is much smaller than the variants in other cities but is still a fine example of the style. It stands out because of the spire topped with a star pushing into the Tallinn skyline. After viewing the building, visitors can enter and have a flutter, wondering what Stalin would have thought of the current use of his favourite design style.

Visitors to Tallinn may have trouble believing that not so very long ago it was choking under a Communist dictatorship. While the relics of this time are sometimes hard to see beneath the modern veneer of the city, they are there just waiting for visitors who want to seek them out.

Top 5 Popular Tallinn Hotels on Venere.com

• Meriton Old Town Hotel – 3-star hotel – double room: €38
• Merchant’s House Hotel – 3-star hotel – double room: €89
• Hotel Viru – 3-star hotel – double room: €69
• Hotel Telegraaf – 5-star hotel – double room: €149
• Hotel Tähetorni – 3-star hotel – double room: €38

Photo of the Soviet Memorial Park at Maarjamäe, Tallinn, Estonia, by Kalevkevad

Every year inter-railers, backpackers and travellers of all kinds pass through this wonderful city and spend their days seeing the sights, visiting the museums and taking in the culture. However, when the sun goes down the party starts, so here is a brief guide of the good bars and clubs.

1. Flex

Flex is the granddaddy of Vienna clubs as evidenced by its longevity and prominent listing in the Lonely Planet guidebooks. It is also one of the most mainstream clubs in the city and so while it guarantees a good night out surrounded by beautiful people, anyone looking for a more underground experience may want to look elsewhere. The location is pretty central, near Schottenring U-Bahn station and right beside the Donau canal. Easy to find, hard to leave, it’s easy to see why this club has lasted so long.

2. Passage

Located in a subterranean passageway, the owners clearly went for the literal option when naming Passage. This bar cum club therefore allows visitors to party directly under one of the main roads of Vienna, the Ringstrasse. This place has a more underground feel (excuse the pun) than Flex, music ranges from funk and soul to advanced but obscure techno music that reminds people Germany is only next door.

3. Fledermaus

‘Fledermaus’ means bat in German and this may seem like a strange name for a club, but when you remember that the ancient cellars of the city where the club is located would have been infested with the animals until not so long ago it begins to make sense. This is one of the more unconventional clubs, they have regular events and imaginative themed evenings most nights where locals and visitors alike party into the small hours in a variety of outlandish ways.

4. American Bar

For those hankering for a less extensive party there are of course more sedate options than the above. I particularly enjoyed the American Bar due to a penchant for design chic and classic cocktails which make for a classy combination. Rumours persist about tourists being thrown out by irate staff after trying to take pictures without buying any drinks but this is unconfirmed. If you don’t want to take any chances then order a cocktail or two before attempting any photography.

5. Heaven Vienna

Finally, Heaven Vienna caters to ‘gays and friends of gays’ and puts on parties like only gay Europeans can. Based on the London super-club of the same name, this is the place for no holes barred night long fun (again, excuse the pun) with decadence and outrage assured. Anyone with social hang ups or an aversion to the exotic will want to stay as far away from this place as possible.

Top 5 Apartments in Vienna

• ViennApart – €81 per night
• Appartement zur Zahnradbahn- €59 per night
• Apartment Vienna Comfort – €77 per night
• Apartment Ferchergasse – €70 per night
• City Apartment Stuwerstraße- €80 per night

Photo of Flex night club, Vienna, Austria, by Andreika

This can all seem like a long time ago in the days of Schengen, EU expansion and budget airlines, but the legacy of these years is still to found stretching across the continent of Europe ‘from Stettin on the Baltic to Trieste on the Adriatic’.

The city that was affected more than any other during this period was Berlin. In the heart of the divided continent was a divided city, the infamous Berlin Wall separating families and loved ones as well as Germans from other Germans. Perhaps it is a result of the ferocity with which the Cold War struck the city that it has been so eager to move on. Reconciliation and development have changed Berlin almost beyond recognition, although some stirring attempts at remembrance exist within that. Checkpoint Charlie is today a mere parody of itself, but the dotted brick line in the streets winding its way through the city where the wall used to be, and especially the killing zone on the eastern side, are eerie reminders of the horror of the wall.

Elsewhere in Europe the legacy can be more tangible or more esoteric. Travelling by train across borders that were once tightly closed, or circling in planes over the outskirts of former Communist cities, the difference in wealth is immediately obvious. The countries of Eastern Europe have metaphorically rushed westwards in the last twenty years but two decades of boom cannot reverse the effects of four decades of stagnation and the most destructive war the planet has ever seen. In things as mundane as un-swept streets, peeling paint and pavements cracks can the legacy of the Iron Curtain be seen.

Across Eastern Europe, drab Communist era tower blocks advertise the land that architecture forgot but these are usually complemented by castles and cathedrals from before the Cold War period or exciting modern buildings demonstrating that dreariness is a thing of the past.

It would be a mistake to think that the legacy of the Iron Curtain is positive on the West and negative on the East. Communism was a harsh and vicious master but it has left the people mostly free of the consumerism and wastefulness obvious in the west. On a more personal note, I love the railway stations of the east. These usually remain from the days of steam and carry with them an atmosphere of romance and anticipation, even, or perhaps especially, when seen through a curtain of rain. Western railway stations are, generally speaking, soulless, unfeeling places that rob travel of any of its romance and turn it into an endurance rather than a pleasure.

Top 5 Berlin Hotels near Checkpoint Charlie

• Mercure Hotel & Residence – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €97
• Apartments Checkpoint Charlie Berlin-Mitte – Price: €110
• Adina Apartment Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €95
• The Mandala Hotel – Luxury Hotel – Room Price: €185
• Hotel NH Berlin – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €129

Photo of Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany, by f-l-e-x

Not only is the travel infrastructure slightly more expensive than elsewhere, especially anywhere to the East, but most activities come with a high price as well. This is a short guide of some things to do that are either free or very cheap.

• A visit to Hofburg

The Hofburg is the magnificent former Imperial Palace in the centre of Vienna. There are various museums contained within but these will be of little interest to the budget traveller since they are quite expensive for mediocre experiences, even the National Library charges admission. However, on the inside many of the buildings have been refurbished so that there is little left of their Imperial splendour meaning visitors get more of a feel for the buildings as a palace by remaining outside. The architecture is impressive and the Volksgarten is a gorgeous place to sit back and relax.

• A visit to Zentralfriedhof

Some of the most famous composers in history lived in and around Vienna, which means many of them are still about, buried in the city’s graveyards. The Zentralfriedhof contains the graves of such luminaries as Beethoven, Schubert and both the older and younger Strauss. There are also many more Austrian celebrities whose lives are an enigma to us visitors but learning about their exploits is mostly interesting. Finally, there are two Jewish parts of the cemetery. The older part was systematically trashed by the Nazis but the other one remains in use by the Jewish community of the city.

• The Vienna Prater

Any visitor to Vienna should see the Orson Wells classic The Third Man. Anyone who has will remember the iconic scene in which the Wells character delivers some of the greatest lines in movie history. ‘In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.’ These lines were delivered aboard the Riesenrad, a Ferris wheel type ride in the Prater, a park on the eastern side of the city centre. Riding the wheel itself is still possible although for a fee, while wondering in the park is completely free.

• A stroll around the Ringstrasse

A good way to see Vienna is to take a stroll around the Ringstrasse. This route will take you past most of the impressive sights as well as along a part of the Danube canal. Brief sidetracks will take you to the Stadtpark or to cafes or bars for refreshments. If you happen to be unlucky with the weather tram routes cover the complete circle so you can finish the journey without getting too wet.

Top 5 Budget Accommodation in Vienna

• Pension Carantania – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €41
• Suite Hotel 200m zum Prater – 3-Star -Double Room Price: from €52
• Austria Trend Hotel – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €50
• Hotel Hadrigan – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €59
• Pension Dr. Geissler – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €64

Photo of Euro coins and bank notes by Donaldtownsend

This string of islands, atolls and coral reefs in the middle of the Indian Ocean can seem like a tourist paradise and the islands have capitalised on this in recent years, with the creation of several tourist enclaves.

This type of tourist destination is not usually to my taste as it caters purely for those who want to lie on a beach in the sun, probably with some kind of terrible book, before returning to the hotel bar in the evening.

However, that is not the only attraction of the islands. They have an interesting, if quite strict, interpretation of Islam which I would like to explore, the people sound open and friendly and the cuisine looks delicious. As with any island chain the food is primarily brought from the sea but the tropical location means that in the Maldives the food can be every colour of the rainbow, freshly caught, lightly cooked and delivered to your plate.

The main attraction of the Maldives, however, is the islands themselves and this is what I really want to see before rising sea levels subsume them forever. The shores of the islands and the lagoons are teeming with abundant and rare aquatic life, the water is warm and clear and it is, in short, a scuba diving paradise.

The greatest attraction of the Maldives is also its most fragile. The islands are now faced with a problem because the influx of tourists in recent years has brought money that can be used for conservation and helped spread awareness of the problem in the western world. However, those same tourists have to fly half way around the world to get to the Maldives and are therefore contributing, through the exhaust fumes of high altitude jets, to one of the worst causes of climate change.

This is why I will probably be unable to visit the Maldives for some time. It is possible to get to the islands by boat but it is a difficult and expensive proposition that I am as yet unable to afford. Visiting the islands to admire their fragile habitats while at the same time contributing to their demise would make me feel uncomfortable but I am prepared to wait until I can make the journey in a more environmentally friendly way.

Photo of storm in the Maldives by David Salvatori

When most people think of Athens an image of the Acropolis will form in their mind. Perhaps the most iconic of all the structures of the ancient world the Acropolis allows visitors to imagine and almost feel themselves back in the time when Greece was a byword for poetry, philosophy and everything civilised in the world. The ‘love of knowledge’ is continued nowadays by a rather nice student discount for those studying at any institution in the EU.

2. The Agora

Resembling, and indeed foreshadowing, the Roman forums, the Agora is both delightful in itself and provides one of the best views of the Acropolis. As you stroll around you will find the remains of many ancient buildings as well as some tasteful reconstructions. Las Vegas this is not. Those travelling with a large group will find that the Agora is the perfect place for you to wonder off and explore for a while on your own or simply sit peacefully and watch the world go by.

3. Syntagma Square

As the main hub for public transport in Athens it is likely that visitors would be passing through Syntagma Square at some point in their visit, but it is worth exploring in its own right. The Greek parliament and national gardens are located off the square and visitors can watch the changing of the guard in front of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visitors used to the London version of this ceremony will be pleasantly surprised by the Greek interpretation, although check for times before setting off.

4. Free bike tour

Athens is a very polluted city and visitors will understandably not want to add to this by their presence. It is also a very congested city and so a tour taking to the roads is not going to be very satisfactory. Thankfully there are free bicycle tours at the weekends that solve both of these problems at once. Kids especially will love the tours and adults may find it a great way to tire them out. Ask at your hotel for details of when and where the tour begins.

5. Beaches

Visitors to Athens do not usually come expecting a traditional beach holiday, but there are gorgeous beaches just a short distance away from the centre of the city. A good idea is to take a picnic as this means you can move along the beaches away from the crowds and do not need to return for meals in expensive beach front snack shacks. The best beaches lie to the south of the city and you will have to combine a metro and bus journey to get there. Ask at your hotel or tourist information centres for advice on the latest beach and journey tips.

Top 5 Popular Athens Hotels on Venere.com

• AVA Hotel – 4-star Hotel – Double Room from €175
• Hotel Athens Gate – 4-star Hotel – Double Room from €155
• Hotel Periscope – 2-star Hotel – Double Room from €180
• Hotel Attalos – 2-star Hotel – Double Room from €85
• Eridanus Luxury Art Hotel – 5-star Hotel – Double Room from €140

Photo of Athens’ Parthenon, Greece, by Lapidim

The bus or metro systems may be quicker and easier but they mean that you miss so much of a place that it is difficult to get any impression at all except of the inside of tunnels or the back of the head of the person in front of you. However, this policy of mine has led to problems, usually because I get lost or wander into bad neighbourhoods. But in Budapest I found a new problem, hills.

Of course I have encountered hills before, large ones too. Some people call them mountains. But it was a long day and I had explored all of Pest before beginning on Buda, but I forced myself to continue and I’m exceedingly glad that I did.

Castle Hill

I should probably first explain that while Pest, the eastern half of the city of Budapest, is almost entirely flat, Buda, the western half on the opposite side of the Danube, contains two large hills. Castle Hill is the lower of the two and contains the old town streets and as well as the former Royal Palace. As you approach it Castle Hill looks like something out of a fairy tale, the castle soars upwards layer after layer and tower and tower. Cable cars can whisk you to the top (or bring you down) but I maintained my dedication to walking. After tramping up winding streets and steep stairs I eventually emerged at the top, breathless but triumphant.

It was slightly disappointing to realise that most of the people around me at the top had been driven up in their air-conditioned coaches but that didn’t detract from the experience. The view across the city of Budapest was stunning, the palace magical and the breeze cooling. I explored for a while but soon I had to be on.

Gellert Hill

Gellert Hill is adjacent to Castle Hill on the banks of the Danube. I had a bit of a shock when I saw just how big it is because by that point I was really starting to flag. The hill was tall, steep and covered in trees which I presumed would make it more difficult to climb.

Thankfully Gellert hill turned out not to be that difficult to climb since there is a well maintained network or paths and steps up its wooded slopes. There is also a pleasant waterfall gushing down on its rocky way and a memorial to St Gellert who was apparently flung off this hill to his death. Once I reached the top I found a hope inspiring monument to peace in the form of a statue holding a palm branch aloft. There was also a fort with a museum but this seemed overly expensive.

After a brief rest sitting on a convenient bench I was off again, back down the hill over the river and back to mercifully flat Pest. However, I would heartily recommend visitors climbing both hills on their visit to Budapest, the views are awesome and the exercise useful, even enjoyable. I would suggest, however, that visitors either stretch the climbs out over two days, or else do them in the morning and plan a hearty lunch.

Top 5 Budapest Hotels on Castle Hill:

• Buda Castle Hotel – Double Room from  €149 per night
• Burg Hotel – Double Room from €115 per night
• Hotel St George Residence – Double Room from €98 per night
• Hotel Castle Garden – Double Room from €99 per night
• Carlton Hotel Budapest – Double Room from €95 per night

View of Pest from Buda Hill, Budapest, Hungary by Dirac3000

1. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is the unsung hero of the beer world, being so often overlooked in favour of neighbouring Germany and yet recently fighting off competition from the multinational corporation Budweiser to retain the rights to the original Budwar brand. Prague has the most variety and as an added bonus is also one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Real devotees will want to head to Plzen, however, as this is the spiritual home of Czech beer. Each October the town hosts the Pilsner Fest which is the largest celebration of beer in the Czech Republic and a real highlight for beer pilgrims.

2. Great British Beer Festival

Beer lovers should appreciate Britain generally because of the wealth and diversity of beers available around the country. However, if you are short of time to tour the country and wade through the mass produced rubbish to find the real classics then the Great British Beer Festival is a great way to bring the mountain to Mohammed. Held each August, the festival showcases a huge variety of domestic and international beers in a friendly and accessible environment not far from central London.

3. Munich Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has a reputation which has spread around the globe and spawned many similar or imitating beer festivals in far flung corners of the globe. The original is still the best, however, with nothing yet matching the scale and ambition of pure beer devotion displayed in Munich each year. Most people don’t realise that the food is almost as important for the festival as the beer and it is a great chance to try some German delicacies alongside the huge amounts of beer consumed by all involved. When you leave you may appreciate why the shape of Bavarian men is traditionally quite rotund.

4. The Great American Beer festival (Denver)

While American beer does not have a great reputation amongst connoisseurs, the Great American Beer Festival in Denver is none the less a great way to sample the wide range and especially to focus on the smaller scale breweries which make up for in quality what they lack in name recognition.

5. The Tasmanian Beerfest

One of the newest Antipodean beer festivals, the Tasmanian Beerfest is quickly establishing itself a reputation as one of the best. The festival is quite refined by beer festival standards, perhaps needing to provide a unique selling point to draw visitors to its remote but beautiful island off the coast of a remote country.

6. New York

New York is the great melting pot of the world, and while it is not known particularly for its beer, the many cultures that have migrated through or made their home in the city that never sleeps have left their mark. The variety of beers available is truly impressive allowing sampling variety, but visitors should be aware that many brands will not be served at their best so far from home.

7. Biketoberfest

What do you get if you put a motorcycle rally and a beer festival together in Florida? Biketoberfest. Located on Daytona beach this festival will sound like a nightmare to some and a dream to others, I shall let you make your own mind up.

8. Bruges

Bruges is not known as a party town, and it doesn’t want to be either. But the combination of the best Belgian beer and preserved medieval charm is attractive in a quiet way.

9. Blumenau (Brazil)

One of the best franchise variants of Oktoberfest is the one held in Blumenau in Brazil. As is fairly obvious from the name, the city has had a decent amount of migration from Germany and so the festival is more a chance for the locals to celebrate their history and culture rather than bar and restaurant owners cashing in while their patrons get mindlessly drunk.

10. Hong Kong

Perhaps the most incongruous variant of Oktoberfest is the one that has been held in Hong Kong each year since the early 90’s. Originally based in the Marco Polo Hotel and still based there, the festival has spread to other venues and is now a great way to infuse Bavarian tradition with Asian modernity.

Photo of glass of beer in Bruges, Belgium, by Erik de Queker

Open mindedness and tolerant attitudes are an integral part of the country’s character and this is nowhere as obvious as in Amsterdam’s red light district. Legalised prostitution and marijuana have given the area a unique personality unlike any other place in the western world and which draws admirers from far and wide. However, this liberalism is not without its downside.

The first problem I found with Amsterdam was that, with its status as a tourist Mecca long since assured and a mythology so deeply ingrained in popular culture, there is no reason for many of the service providers to make any effort. Overpricing is rampant although, I hasten to add, by no means universal. Having to judge whether each establishment is a simple tourist trap or actually wants to serve you before entering becomes frustrating very quickly.

Long before the cheap drinks behind the former iron curtain began pulling in the weekend party trips Amsterdam was their destination of choice. This continues to be the case for some since while the alcohol orientated travellers have moved on, the stoners still come and add to the fragrant green smoke that billows through the narrow streets. Each of the coffee-shops I visited was very clear and firm that admission was granted to those over 18 only. This is clearly not enough, however, since the streets seemed to be swarming with stoned teenagers, their bleary eyes and vacant smiles passing me on almost every street. While I accept that teenagers have a right to enjoy themselves as much as anyone else I have always thought they should do it closer to home where their parents are but a phone call away.

The girls in the windows posed another dilemma to me. I have absolutely nothing against legalised prostitution, if a woman (or a man) wants to use their body to make money then fair enough. Good luck to them. However, consent is a difficult thing to guarantee and with the scourge of human trafficking on the increase across the world there is a danger that consenting prostitutes are going to be priced out of the market by cheap imported slave labour. This article has posted quite a negative picture of Amsterdam’s red light district and this is not a truthful one. As with anything the truth is a mixture of good and bad. The point is that people who look down on the area as a den of iniquity and sin while never going in are missing its good points. However, those who see only open-mindedness and liberalism taken to a joyful conclusion will be missing the, just as real, negative aspects of the area.

Where to stay in Amsterdam Red Light District

• Hotel Heart of Amsterdam
• Hotel Misc Eatdrinksleep
• Hotel Torenzicht

Photo of Amsterdam Red Light District by Tele_

This article ignores almost all of them, however, and explains where you can find the best, or at least most authentic, Viennese food going.

1. Korso Bei Der Oper

According to reports from people who can afford to eat there, the Korso Bei Der Oper is one of the best restaurants in Vienna. This is comforting as it is certainly one of the most expensive as my short and unhappy visit demonstrated. The food is reported to be simple but refined and worth the price if you can afford it. The restaurant is part of the Hotel Bristol which lends it even more elegance and, as the name suggests, is very convenient for the Staatsoper. Reservations are essential.

2. Schweizerhaus

About as far in tone as you can imagine from the Korso Bei Der Oper is the Schweizerhaus.

Set in the middle of the Prater and with its own very large garden, Schweizerhaus provides good food at lowish prices to a lot of people. This is the place to come and relax with friends in summer, drink a few beers and wash them down with a Weiner Schnitzel. Off season visitors should be aware, however, the Schweizerhaus closes for the winter in October.

3. Figlmüller

If Weiner Schnitzel is what you’re after then you will not be dissatisfied with Figlmüller. This restaurant is well known for both the quality of their schnitzel and the size. Dinner plate filling slabs of meat have been reported and thoroughly enjoyed as well. As is the case with any good restaurant visitors and locals alike are can be seen at the informal tables. Figlmüller is to be found at Wollzeile 5 near Stephansplatz U-Bahn station.

4. Steirereck

Back at the more formal end of the market is the formidable Steirereck. Located in the Stadtpark the restaurant actually gives you the choice of two experiences, one slightly less formal than the other. As well as the Viennese traditional dishes on offer are some more unusual ones that change regularly. Steirereck is also very well known for its selection of cheeses. For the main restaurant reservations are vital, head to Stadtpark station on the U-Bahn.

5. Sacher

For decades many guides have suggested that Sacher, the restaurant from which the Sacher cake took its name, is the place to eat in Vienna. I have not had the pleasure of trying it yet, however, my Viennese friends assure me that these days the place relies more on hype and tourist money than real quality. This is something to bear in mind if it is recommended by your hotel or other tourist handlers.

Top rated Vienna hotels with a restaurant

• Hotel Bristol
• Hotel Sophienalpe
• Hotel Bergwirt

Photo of traditional Austrian food and beer at Schweizerhaus, Vienna, Austria by ViZZual.com

The Nordic social security system is the envy of much of the world, it is comprehensive, generous and competently run. However, it comes at an enormous cost which is recouped through high taxes on most products and services. This can make travelling in Norway an extremely expensive undertaking, but there are ways to see the country for less.

Norway’s natural heritage

One of the main attractions of Norway is its beautiful landscape, where mountains and fjords meet there are tumbling and verdant valley sides to explore and lush greenery all around. Many people chose to combine exploring the Norwegian countryside with an opportunity to get even closer to nature and camp for a few nights between hotel stays. German visitors have a reputation for adapting this and using camper vans to explore the country and provide a home away from home. Some visitors take this to extremes, however, and pack their camper with as much food as it can carry so that they have to buy almost nothing in the country whatsoever. This does not endear them to the locals.

Food and Restaurants in Norway

The social security system is also responsible for making labour more expensive in Norway and this means that any service is expensive. Travellers can reduce this by cutting down the number of times they eat in restaurants and going self-catering for some of the time. Thankfully the cost of eating in restaurants is not so high as to be completely prohibitive except for those on the very leanest budget.

Norway Public Transportation Network

Unless visitors are staying in only one part of the country, transport around Norway can be another high spending area. This is partly to do with taxes again but also because the country is very large and the cities spread far apart. Thankfully, there are a range of rail and even air passes that can save you a lot of money and are very useful. Enquire at any station or airport or even buy online before you travel. There is also a comprehensive bus network across Norway but the distances and journey time involved may make this an unattractive option to many.

Alcohol and cigarettes in Norway

Most people will enjoy the occasional drink on holiday and this can cause problems in Norway. The taxes on alcohol and tobacco mean that consumption of these goods can eat a serious hole in your budget. Smokers are in the worse situation as they will find it more difficult to cut down or go without while drinkers should be able to simply enjoy drinks less frequently without any major problems.

Although Norway can be an expensive proposition, the most important point of this blog post is to point out that no one should let that put them off. The breathtaking scenery, friendly locals and varied culture more than make up for some higher prices than visitors are usually used to.

Budget Accommodation in Oslo, Norway:

• Anker Hostel
• Catalina Bed and Breakfast
• Residence Kristinelund

Photo of Olso Map and Norwegian Krones by Mallol

The Parque das Nacoes is a fine example of this, although the Aquarium there is excellent. The centre of the city is different however, and the very best is reserved for the Bairro Alto.

It must be said that the appeal of the Bairro Alto lies more in its charm than in any glitz or glamour. A survey comparing the area with 5th Avenue in New York or the Champs Elysees in Paris was met with incredulity by some media outlets as people thought that to be in the same league an area would need the same shallow draws which the Bairro Alto does not. Those mocking journalists had clearly never been to the area.

The Bairro Alto can seem schizophrenic as its character totally changes at dusk. During the day peace reigns, locals wander through the quiet streets and the occasional café is all one needs for refreshment. In the evening, however, the entire place changes. Bars and clubs spill out onto the street, world class restaurants with world class service stay open late into the night and strains of Fado drift through the warm air.

In 1998 a spectacular and destructive fire ravaged the Bairro Alto but thankfully for visitors it was rebuilt and lovingly restored. The tangled alleyways and jumble of buildings has a timeless feel to it during the day but at night is much more contemporary. The area is home to a collection of bars dedicated to diverse modern tastes, gay bars and funk clubs rub shoulders with heavy metal and hip hop.

The Bairro Alto is not without its problems. As with many areas of the city visitors are frequently offered soft drugs by dealers on the streets. The local police seem powerless to do anything about them. Graffiti covers many of the walls, in some places it adds character but in most it is just senseless defacement. In the past the area has also been a centre for prostitution but for the most part this moved to other areas after the fire and didn’t return. Street crime such as robbery is mercifully rare, although pickpockets are known to operate in the area.

Many visitors based in other parts of Lisbon head to the Bairro Alto in the evening to take advantage of the bars and restaurants but it would be a shame to miss it during the day. There is a terrace with spectacular views that take in the city as it sinks down to meet the river and the funicular is always fun, especially for kids. The greatest attraction, however, is simply wandering around and relaxing in the ambience of a more peaceful time.

Where to stay in Bairro Alto, Lisbon

• Hotel Bairro Alto
• Belver Principe Real Hotel
• Lisbon Dreams Guesthouse

Picture of graffiti in the Bairro Alto, Lisbon, Portugal, by Ramon Peco

In winter this means the days are short and the nights interminably long. However, in summer it means that there is no darkness and a state of twilight reigns from eleven in the evening until two in the morning, a phenomenon known as the White Nights.

During the White Nights an enormous change comes over St Petersburg. Its taciturn and dour residents become relaxed and charming, a festival atmosphere takes over the city and visitors flock in from around Russia and the rest of the world.

The deliciously soft quality of the midnight sunlight is perfect for enjoying the beauty of St Petersburg’s architecture and many people stroll through the streets until morning. Others prefer to sit in the many parks, usually with some beer, and chat with friends.

In fact, so many of the residents of the city are out socialising at night that St Petersburg begins to have the same lethargic and unhurried air of Paris in the summer, with tourists making up a sizable proportion of the people on the streets.

The White Nights are thought to be the most romantic festival of Russia, and so many couples can be seen walking arm in arm through the night. The city’s tourism authorities are now trying to spread this custom abroad in the hope of bringing in more visitors. It must be said that sharing the beautiful experience is very moving and I would recommend any couple looking for an unusual summer holiday to try experiencing the White Nights.

Visitors should be aware that the city can get so full during the White Nights that it can be difficult to find a hotel in  St Petersburg at the last minute. It is advisable that you book well in advance. The hotel rooms available are also much more expensive during the summer period, this is not unusual but it does mean that the rates for moderate or low standard rooms are much high than they should be.

Independent travel to Russia can be quite difficult because of the need for visas and the fact that most people do not speak English. This can put many first time visitors off. However, these days there are many tour companies specialising in trip to St Petersburg during the White Nights and they will handle everything from flight booking, airport transfers and, of course, booking a hotel.

The White Nights is also a popular time for cruise ships to put in to St Petersburg. If you are planning a Baltic or northern cruise then it is certainly worth investigating if this is possible for you.

A useful tip is to realise that although the strict White Nights period straddles the summer solstice, a similar effect is felt several weeks either side of this. Visitors wishing to avoid the mad tourist crush of the actual solstice and increase their chances of getting a hotel room may wish to bear this in mind.

Romantic Hotels  in St Petersburg

• Alexander House Boutique Hotel
• Hotel Petro Palace
• Hotel Marco Polo Saint Petersburg

Photo of  St Petersburg White Night, Russia, by Incandenzafied

The airport already handles an enormous number of passengers, 18.7 million in 2007, and this is set to grow even further. As with all airports though, arriving passengers still have to negotiate their way into the city centre of Vienna. This is a brief guide.

There are three main options for getting from the airport to Vienna city centre if you are not being met by hotel services: the bus, the train or a taxi.

Schwechat Airport – Vienna by taxi

For those with large suitcases and deep pockets there is no doubt that the simplest way into town is by taxi. Visitors are warned, however, to ensure that they hire an official taxi and that the driver uses the meter. There have been instances of unlicensed drivers quoting very low prices to unsuspecting tourists and then adding extortionate extras on at the destination. There are booking desks in the arrival halls and the contact information of licensed companies is available as well.

Schwechat Airport – Vienna by train

After the taxi the next most useful way into town is the train. The City Airport Train (CAT) runs into Wien Mitte every half an hour during the day. This takes just 16 minutes, a quick journey time, and visitors can then link up to the metro system to finish their journey to disparate parts of the city. The S-bahn also links the airport to Wien Nord which can be useful. These trains run much more slowly that the CAT but are also much cheaper.

Schwechat Airport – Vienna by bus

The bus links from the airport to Vienna are the best value option but also take the longest. Depending on the level of traffic it usually takes about forty five minutes to the Sudbanhof and an hour to the Westbanhof. Vienna Airport Lines, one of the bus companies running services from the airport, also has services straight from the airport to Bratislava which run throughout the day. Services to Budapest and Hungarian destinations are less frequent.

The costs of taking the bus or trains are not that different so I would advise you to make the decision of how you make the journey from the airport into the city based on where in Vienna you want to go. The bus link to the Westbanhof will get you into the west of the city quicker than taking the train and then switching to the metro but the 16 minutes to Wien Mitte is a very good time to the south east of the city.

Visitors to Vienna are unlikely to encounter any problems getting from the airport to the city or, indeed, vice versa. The most important point to remember is if getting a taxi, make sure it is official and the driver used the meter.

Vienna Airport Hotels

• Eurohotel Vienna Airport, Fischamend
• Hotel NH Vienna Airport,  Schwechat
• Hotel Raststation, Schwechat

Photo of Vienna Airport Train by Gregorius Mundus

As patronising at that moniker may be it gives you some idea of the artistic renown in which the city was held for so long. Unfortunately, ever since February 1945 when the centre of the old city was wiped out by allied bombing, Dresden has been a byword for barbaric destruction and then, in the Cold War, communist style monotony. Thanks to some very impressive restoration since the reunification of Germany, the city of Dresden is now ready to go back to its previous reputation for art and culture and welcome visitors who want to explore it.

The Albertinum Museum

The first museum on this list has to be the Albertinum, although visitors should note that the building is closed for renovation until later this year. The building itself is quite interesting, having constantly evolved since the dark ages and has served as a Royal Palace and many other uses. When it reopens the museum will hold the New Master Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Neue Meister) which will hold a collection covering the modern period and featuring works by many well known artists and sculptors. While visitors are waiting for the renovation work to take place there are selections from the New Master Gallery on temporary display. Complementing the New Masters Gallery is the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, which means Old Masters Gallery. As the name suggests this covers a period earlier than the Albertinum, roughly the 1700’s back to the 1300’s. The collection was saved from the worst of the destruction of the war but then got ravaged by the Red Army. Most of the collection was later returned but certain pieces have never been found and are now presumed to have been destroyed.

The Museum der Dresdner Romantik

The Museum der Dresdner Romantik is a thematic rather than chronological collection dedicated to the Romantic Movement. This is another museum that lost some of its collection in the war, but thankfully most of it was saved. The exhibits here are quite varied and interesting, especially the remaining Stockhausens. Generally speaking, however, this is a museum for the connoisseur rather than the general interest visitor. The renovation of Dresden has been ambitious and comprehensive. The work on the Albertinum is needed and worthwhile so visitors shouldn’t get too frustrated with its closure. Certainly the rest of the city is splendid enough to keep visitors happy until it reopens. There is some debate about when that will be, there is hope that it will be later this year although it may be early next year. My fingers are crossed for as soon as possible. Photo of the Albertinum Museum in Dresden, Germany, by world of jan

Almost all of those who do visit the state are Germans, international visitors seem to be completely unaware of the states charms and attractions.

My recent visit to the area was not a particularly long one but it inspired me to write this post and explore why Saxony has been ignored by so many for so long.

On the face of it the state should be a major tourist magnet. Dresden has the high culture and low thrills that build a wide appeal. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and has recently undergone a magnificent renovation after the destruction of the war and the ignominy of communism.

Outside the city the state has mountains, the sort of castles that make anyone brought up on Disney go weak at the knees and enough preserved history to shake a stick at. There is also the river Elbe with its leisure potential and sheer scenic beauty.

So these are the attractions, but what are the problems? In terms of direct problems there are none. There is no war raging in the state, or uncontrolled crime ravaging its cities. There are no infectious diseases present, the prices are similar if not lower than other more established destinations and the transport infrastructure is very good.

The problems are more nebulous. Europe’s tourist destinations were generally established during the Cold War, when Saxony was cut off behind the Iron Curtain, or quickly established themselves afterwards, like neighbouring Prague. Since the former East Germany, and Dresden particularly, has needed time to recover from those fifty years of stagnation, it has missed out on the tourist boom.

There is also a problem in that the main attractions of Saxony can be found in a similar from elsewhere. Bavaria has mountains and castles, Vienna, Prague and countless other cities have culture and nightlife in various forms. More established destinations build a momentum which draws more and more visitors and new entrants can have trouble competing.

While I am interested in why tourists have ignored Saxony for so long I am not desperate to change this, and I don’t think the inhabitants are either. Hordes of tourists bring in money but they also inevitable change a place. That change has positive and negative aspects but it is still changed.

Saxony will certainly become a more high profile tourist destination because such a secret cannot be kept for long. The reconstruction works in Dresden are nearly complete and absolutely fantastic. This forgotten corner of Europe will not remain so for long, but I hope discovery does not taint Saxony’s unique charm and style.

Photo of tourists in Dresden, Saxony, by rizkapb

Flying is almost certainly going to remain a high stress activity for some time but there are things you can do to avoid at least some of the anxiety.

1. Arrange everything that you possibly can well ahead of time.

This goes for the plane tickets, airport transfers and hotel bookings. One of the biggest sources of worry when travelling comes from having to make arrangements at the last minute. Making plans ahead of time is usually cheaper and means that there is much less chance of things going wrong.

2. If at all possible, fly without checked-in baggage.

I appreciate that on many occasions, perhaps most for some people, travelling with just hand luggage will simply not be possible. However, it is my firm belief that this is the case far fewer times than people think. Most people when travelling take far more in their luggage than they need. Cutting it down saves space, makes everything easier to carry, saves money on checked baggage fees which are becoming more and more popular (and extortionate) and finally, it saves time waiting at a baggage carousel.

3. At all times stay informed about your itinerary and options.

Airlines are becoming very eager for their passengers to check-in online and may penalise you for not doing so. Make sure that you have read the details of the ticket and its conditions before you turn up at the airport or you may be in for a nasty shock. Similarly, although it sounds childishly simple, do check the booking and tickets. Check the dates and times of the flights and check-in, you don’t want to turn up too late or days early.

4. When making bookings make sure that you have enough time to make any changes or transfers that may be involved.

Airlines are usually good at getting passengers from one plane to another but plane to train transfers often cause people problems. Remember that you will probably have to reclaim your baggage, go through passport control and then find your way to the station and each of these things will take time.

5. Finally, the last way of avoiding stress is to acknowledge it and try to relax.

If you find that things aren’t going to plan your first response should be to get them back on track, not panic and start shouting or tearing your hair out. Stay calm and collected, think logically and solve the problem.

I don’t claim that I manage to do all of these things when I’m travelling, sometimes I try and fail, sometimes I forget to even try. However, I have found that when I do these things they help make the process of flying simpler and easier. Which is what we all want, surely?

Photo of airport crowd by indoloony