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

Tracing its history back almost thirteen centuries Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe, and probably the world, whose tourism is based more in its villages than its cities. Discovering rural Bulgaria is an incredible experience for any tourist. So unique are the villages here that they seem to exist in some strange timelessness, as if nothing has changed in the last several centuries. People in the lowlands still concentrate on agriculture, and those on the mountains earn their livelihood from raising animals and gathering herbs and fruits.

The hospitality that the locals extend to all tourists is what has made discovering rural Bulgaria so beautiful. Several people open their homes up to serve as guesthouses and bed and breakfast places. While history, culture and warmth are common everywhere in Bulgaria, the villages in every region are different. Even the rural homes look different in different regions. The list of beautiful villages is endless and so here we will concentrate on mostly the mountaintop villages that will take every tourist’s breath away.

Villages in the Balkan Range

Some of the more popular regions in the Balkan range are Bozhentsi, Tryavna, Zheravna, Elena and Koprivshitsa. Bozhentsi is not just a village but also an architectural reserve in the central part of the Balkan Mountains. It is famous for its pre- National Revival Bulgarian architecture that has been very well preserved. UNESCO lists this Bulgarian village as one of its world cultural monuments. To preserve the look of the village, no building that does not fit with the general style of architecture of the village is allowed to be built here. Stone plate roofs, corner fireplaces, wood carved ceilings and verandas are all features of typical Bozhentsi architecture. All streets in this village are lined with cobblestone.

Across a Roman bridge at the east end of the village is a forest path that leads to our next destination—Tryavna. Tryavna is well known for its textile industry. It is home to a hundred and forty museums and cultural monuments. The town square of the village dates back to 1814. The clock tower and the Kivgireniyat bridge are popular tourist attractions. It is in Tryavna that one of the first secular schools of the country was established. The Daskalov house is the more popular of many museums of icon painting and art and wood carving in the region. It houses the famous wood carved suns. Its ceiling is a work of art in its own right made as a result of a bet between two famous wood carvers Ivan Bochukovetsa and Dimitar Oshanetsa. With modern hotels and restaurants Tryavna is the preferred destination for many tourists.

Just twenty kilometers away is Voneshta Voda, a resort known for its mineral springs. Tryavna homes have their own architectural peculiarities. While irregular forms make up the ground floors, wooden bow windows are the marked features of the upper floors. Well cut and neatly arranged rocks cover the roofs. The Central Balkan National Parks has the most vibrant ecosystems in Bulgaria and is accessible from all the villages around. Just north of the Balkans are several monasteries like the Ivanovo Rock Monastery which is under UNESCO protection. Close to Gaborvo is the Etara Architectural-Ethnographic complex which is an open air museum dedicated to Bulgarian customs and craftsmanship.

Villages in the Pirin Mountains

Villages like Melnik and Dobarsko have been declared architectural reserves. Melnik has architecture from the National Revival and the Ottoman periods. One of the more famous wine growing areas of the country, Melnik is home to the famous Melnik wine. At the foot of Pirin Mountain is Bulgaria’s best ski resort, Bansko. But Bansko is not just a ski resort. It is a small town with buildings that date back to 100 BC. Here you can enjoy the annual Bansko Jazz Festival, Just about five kilometers away is the small village of Banya that is famous for its twenty seven thermal mineral springs.

Villages in the Rhodopes Mountains

The birthplace of Orpheus, Rhodopes is also known as the ‘Green Heart of Europe,’ so vast are the old pinewood forests here. Shiroka Laka is a quaint little village with architecturally authentic Rhodopean houses located on both banks of the local river. The houses are all two storey with a small yard that is closed in by thick white walls. All the yards are covered with slab and have a fountain in the middle. Every March, performers perform the Thracian ritual koukeri dance in a festival here. National Revival style architecture dominates the skyline of Dolen. Chepelare is a famous ski resort town on the Rhodopes Mountains. Other scenic villages include Zlatograd, Kovachevitsa and Boukata.

Villages in the Strandzha Mountains

Strandzha mountains has some of the most rare vegetation in the world. Just small treks from the lovely little villages on the mountain can take you to any of these botanically exciting trails. The pagan tradition of fire dancing is performed every June in the southern part of the mountain range. In Brashlyan mountain hiking and nature observation are included in the rural tourism package. Malko Tarnovo which literally means ‘Little Tarnovo’ is a small town just five kilometers from the Turkish border.

Go mountain hopping and discover rural Bulgaria for yourself. It promises to be unforgettable.

Top 3  Rural Holiday Accommodation in Bulgaria:

• Bio-Hotel Moravsko Village – Predela (Bansko)
• Holiday Villa Stresov – Borovets mountain resort (73 km from Sofia)
• Skaviva B&B – Madara (Shumen)

Photo of , Bulgaria, by Boby Dimitrov

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

The Warsaw University Library, The Agora Building, and Metropolitan all demonstrate a bold commitment to sustainable design rarely seen even in the most progressive cities. The buildings showcase a remarkable blend of technology, aesthetics and function often with a wonderful integration of plant life as an integral part of the architecture.

1. The Warsaw University Library

Designed by Marek Budzyński & Zbigniew Badowski with the landscape by Irena Bajerska, the Warsaw University Library is located east of the city center, falling between the main university campus and the banks of the meandering Vistula River.

The main facade consists of a long and gentle concave curve dominated by green copper and tinted glass. A huge inscription “Biblioteka Uniwersytecka” dominated the top of this curve while 8 large copper panels visualize excerpts from Polish Renaissance writer Jan Kochanowski, Plato, an old-Russian chronicle, Arabic and Indian classics, and from the Bible. To complete the gesture there is a score by composer Karol Szymanowski and sample mathematical formulas engraved on these tablets.

This main street facade is complimented by flanking facades where plants and gardens have grown to dominate the architectural expression. Copper trellises bring vines climbing up the walls, connecting ground to roof garden. A series of hills, ramps and stairs lead the visitor up the side and onto the roof of the building were they are introduced to one of the most magnificent spaces in Warsaw, a 10,000 square meter garden overflowing with colors, textures and smells of flowers and plants, while offering stunning views of the city’s skyline and the gently flowing river. From within and without the building is overflowing with life, making nature a vital element of the building’s expression and thus clearly demonstrating the architect’s aspirations of making a building that is fully integrated into its surroundings.

2. The Agora Building

The Agora Building is also located a bit outside the city center, this time to the south east. Designed by JEMS Architekci - a local firm – the office block contains a magazine and newspaper group and demonstrates the value of how the architecture of a building can promote an egalitarian work environment.This building has grown into a great example of how to combine ecological awareness with innovative design.

The facade consists of a series of wood louvers that act as a sun screen while the seemingly boxlike building has gardens and terraces carved out to both bring natural light into the interior work areas and to provide natural ventilation deep into the structure. Inside, a cascading garden atrium connects the floors and allows for visual connections as well as easy circulation while once again allowing daylight to stream in. Balconies ring the building between the sun screen and the glass curtain wall, giving the workers access the outdoors. Vines have been planted at strategic locations and have slowly grown up the walls to provide a living element in the aesthetics of the building.

3. The Metropolitan

Metropolitan, designed by the world renowned architect Sir Norman Foster, has the most prestigious location of the three being located on Pilsudski Square just outside the historic old town. This building also took the most technological approach to sustainability. Rather than using plants and wood as the main expression, Foster and Partners have opted for a high tech look with sleek glass and metal curtain wall the curves and flows around the site.

A series of vertical stone fins line the facade providing protection from the sun while also serving an important role in the aesthetics of the building – when viewed straight on the building appears to be open and transparent while from the side it becomes a solid stone mass relates to the surroundings. The building wraps around a central plaza with a fountain and planted trees, giving the city a quiet and shaded place for people to gather. It also keeps the building to a manageable depth allowing decent penetration of natural light and ventilation.

These three buildings have not only changed the face of a city but also charted the course into the future of architecture in Warsaw. Most visitors will visit the historic town square, the stalinist tower and other popular tourist destinations but no trip to Warsaw will be complete without seeing these three pillars of a sustainable architectural future.

Top 5 Hotels in Warsaw:

• Mamaison Hotel Regina – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €86
• Polonia Palace Hotel – 4-star Hotel – Room Price:  €72
• Hotel Rialto – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €70
• The Westin Hotel – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €89
• Sheraton Warsaw Hotel – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €113

Photo of the  Warsaw University Library by Jussi-Paavo

Learn a language on the bus

Vilnius was the first in the world to offer language classes while you travelled on public transport. While you whiled away the time getting around the city, the ‘language buses’ played a collection of phrases in Polish, Lithuanian and English. There were worksheets inside the bus to allow you to follow along with the tape as it plays. All of the stops on the route were announced in the languages. Launched in 2007 it was funded by the EU for a year and proved hugely popular.

Do you believe in the Easter Granny?

Forget that silly old bunny. He’s nothing but a minion for the real master of ceremonies in terms of Easter egg distribution in Vilnius and the rest of Lithuania. The real star of the show is the Easter Granny. Every year the Velyku Senele (Easter Granny) brings the colourful chocolate Easter eggs to all the children in the family. The bunny is relegated to helping her paint the eggs.

Who found Vilnius?

Not in the geographical sense because it was never actually lost, but in terms of making the city what it went on to be, the Grand Duke Gediminas from the 13th and 14th Century is the man with the idea for a habitation of the region where the city now lies. It is said that the Duke has a dream one night that involved one wolf howling with the volume of a thousand wolves on a hilltop. That hilltop soon become a fortress and then finally Vilnius.

What’s with the bread and the salt?

If you are a visitor to Vilnius then you might find you’re presented with bread and salt as a mark of hospitality. It’s a tradition dating back hundreds of years. The Lithuanians even hand it to married couples on their wedding day. It’s something Lithuania shares with many other Baltic states.

Top 5 Hotels in Vilnius, Lithuania

• Hotel City Gate – 3-star Hotel – Room Price: €69
• Hotel Vingriai – 4-star Hotel – Room Price: €55
• Centrum Uniquestay Hotel – 3-star Hotel – Room Price: €38
• Hotel Comfort Vilnius – 3-star Hotel – Room Price: €36
• Hotel Telecom Guest House – 3-star Hotel – Room Price: €35

Photo of Gediminas Tower, Vilnius, Lithuanian by Vlumi

Thanks to a combination of metropolitan sophistication and historical roots, Kiev has something to offer to every visitor.

Shopping in Kiev

Downtown Kiev spirals out from a large central plaza, Independence Square, in rings of restaurants, Internet cafes, and European boutiques. Despite its initial resemblance to other large capitals, Kiev offers an interesting twist on Western fashions. Visitors can find nearly all the same brands available in Paris or London (often at a lower price depending on exchange rates) but with the added benefit of discovering local innovative designers. A massive shopping mall lies underneath Independence Square and is a great place to start (note that the mall spreads across several city streets and you may emerge blocks from where you started!)

Another great shopping destination is Khreschatyk Street, the main avenue leading from Independence Square, which boasts several blocks of clothing and shoes stores. You’ll also find small vendors selling ice cream, salty snacks, athletic scarves, hats, pins, jewelry, everything! An added plus – the street shuts down to road traffic for the weekends. Before you run out of steam, check out the Besarabsky Indoor Market at the end of Khreschatyk Street (in Besarabsky Square). This enormous covered food market of fresh fruits, vegetable, meat, and fish will enchant you with its myriad smells and sounds fighting for attention. Don’t leave without a sample of Ukrainian caviar (often offered free by the vendors!)

Kiev landmarks and cultural attractions

Kiev has more to offer than just great shopping or fashion. With a history stretching back over a millennium (1500 years), the city is rich with cultural and historical sites.

Kiev’s most striking attraction may be its network of Orthodox churches whose golden spires tower over the entire city. Must see locations include the cluster of sparkling churches and underground catacombs on the Dnipro Hills and the St. Sophia Cathedral. Both sites boast ornate and dramatic frescoes; the grounds at Dnipro Hills include an impressive miniatures museum.

The transportation system itself is a historical relic. The extremely deep metro stations (some over 100 meters deep) stretching throughout Kiev are holdovers from the Cold War, when a secret underground city was built to serve as an atomic shelter. According to local hearsay, metro employees that worked on this underground city were forbidden from leaving the country for five years after.

The Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Kiev’s memorial to World War II, should also be on every history buff’s agenda. Although the memorial is a bit out of the way (situated on the outskirts of Kiev in the district of Pechersk), it is well worth a visit. Weighty stone monuments built into the hillside, memorials marked by the names of fallen soldiers, and rows of preserved tanks, guns, and helicopters serve as a reminder of this dark period in Ukraine’s past.

Kiev Funicular

Other attractions worth investigating include the Funicular. Not only does this classic cable car offer an incredible view of Kiev, but also it provides a free adrenaline rush as you trundle your way to the top. Once there, you’ll be treated to a bird’s eye view of downtown Kiev and the winding path of the Dnieper River. The Dnieper is also a must-see visit. Be it winter or summer, Ukrainians make the most of this natural attraction, indulging in either ice-skating or swimming.

Kiev is a relatively short flight from many major European cities. Thanks to the ease of visa restrictions since 2005, the city is easier to visit and much more tourist friendly. What are you waiting for?!

Top 5 Kiev Hotels & Apartments:

• Kiev Hotel Rus – Central Kiev – Double room from €72.9 per night
• Hotel Oselya – Oselya District – Double room from €81 per night
• Apartment Shuta Rustavelli 44/2 – Downtown Kiev -  €77.8 per night
• Apartment Shuta Rustavelli 44/2 – Downtown Kiev -  €73.7  per night
• Apartment Saksahanskoho 12 – Downtown Kiev – €77.8  per night

Photo of the World War II Memorial, Kiev, Ukraine, by Loranchet

It’s easy to slip up when ordered a drink in Belgrade because they don’t seem to resemble the English version at all. Before you arrive in the capital, note that a Pivo is not something that a beer finishes up as, but something it starts as. A Sok is not something you wear on your feet but a fruit juice. A Nes is not a Scottish monster but rather a cup of coffee and a Voda is not…repeat not…a shot of something alcoholic but a simply water.

2.  Another funny way with words

If you hear someone being called Jonny then chances are there are actually called Nikola. So how do the Belgrades get to this? Well Nikola is Nicolas and a short version of this is Nijo. Then the Serbians thought it clever to jumble up the letters to this and come up with Joni.

3. What is Silicon Valley?

Well it’s certainly nothing like the one in the west coast of the United States. This one has nothing to do with electronics and computers but does have something to do with money and technology. It’s a term that locals have taken to calling the area of pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs where the girls are famous for their breast implants and the men are famous for swarming around with them flashing their wallets and cars.

4. Doe a deer a female deer

And it’s also the name by which the famous city forest in Belgrade called Kosutnjak is named after. But the funny thing is, there’s actually not sign of any does in the forest at all. There are plenty of other animals though, from peacocks to stray cats and dogs but no doe.

5. From doe to duck

In the square under the towering Slavija hotel in Belgrade, inhabitants during the early 19th Century would gather and go hunting for wild ducks where boats bobbed on the ponds. One of the many funny and quaint unifying traditions of the city.

Photo by tamo neki

Most visitors remain within the confines of the old town area with the exception of a climb up to the castle and perhaps a peek at the inverted pyramid of the Slovak national radio building in the new town. Yet almost every single visitor to Bratislava ignores what is, in my opinion, one of the most striking and moving sights in the entire city, the Slavin war memorial.

There are several reasons for the memorial being ignored by so many. Firstly, it is up on a hill and so after visitors have hoisted themselves up to the castle they are wary of yet another climb. Secondly, Soviet Realism was never the most popular of artistic and architectural styles so the monuments blocky, solid style will not attract as many people as the ‘fairytale’ castle. Lastly, the war memorial is also a grave and this will give many holidaymakers a sense of gloom and sadness that they do not want. But anyone falling for these flimsy excuses is missing out.

The memorial itself is favourably impressive. Standing at 40 metres high and with a 10 metre statue on top it seems to soar into sky above, its flag bravely trying to flutter in the breeze. The soldier represents a conqueror as he beats back the Nazis but this also has a second meaning since after 1945 Slovakia, along with most of Eastern Europe, was held under Soviet domination by the same soldiers who had liberated them not so long before.

In all 6,845 of those soldiers are buried around the memorial, some in individual graves with headstones but most lie unidentified in mass graves. In Russian tradition many of the headstones carry pictures of the men they commemorate which means visitors can look at the faces of the men who died fighting here. This can be an eerie experience but fascinating as well.

The historical significance of the memorial makes it worth the climb but more impressive than that is the view. The view from the castle is as nothing in comparison to the sweeping vista across the city and beyond offered from Slavin. Visitors can circle the memorial for a full panorama or simply sit and gaze for hours into the firmament. The peace and tranquillity work in excellent tandem with the sweeping landscape to produce one of the most serene impressions I have ever known.

The only dull aspects of the memorial are the pillars of peace. I was expecting these to be more inspiring than some sticks of wood stuck into the ground to one side of the memorial grounds. ‘May peace reign over the earth’ they declare while looking like a stiff breeze would immediately topple them over. But maybe I should salute the sentiment rather than criticise its expression.

Photo ot the Slavin War Memorial in Bratislava, Slovakia, by jmenard48

The famous symbol of Ljubljana is the dragon. The history of the iconic monster dates back to tales of Jason and the Argonauts. It’s said that Jason sailed up the Danube, then the Sava and then the Ljubljanica before finally having make the journey to the Adriatic with their dismantled boat being dragged with them. On route they came across a lake that housed the Ljubljanan dragon. The gallant Jason is said to have fought bravely against the beast before finally slaying it. It has thus become a symbol the city.

1. Hand Ball!

Handball is a very popular sport in Slovenia and in its capital city Ljubljana, especially with women. The biggest club in the city is Krim Ljubljana and they are ranked amongst the most successful teams in Europe. They’ve won the Champions League twice and the European Club Championships the same amount of times.

3. A very smart car

In 2007 a 25-year-old man from Ljubljana called Darko Mirinovic fell 120 feet from a building and landed straight on the roof of a little Smart car. Amazingly the man survived and was treated with only broken bones and nothing more. The car that broke his fall seemed to come off much worse than Darko and the owner wasn’t sure whether to be happy his car saved this man’s life or sad because he didn’t have a car any more.

4. What’s in a name?

No one really knows where the name Ljubljana came from. There is suggestion is comes from the Latin word Aluviana, due to a massive flood the city once succumbed to. This might have led to it being a derivative of the word Laubach, which means “marshes”. One of the more sentimental suggestions comes from the Slavic word for beloved “Luba”. No one is really sure though so it’s open to interpretation.

Photo of  Ljubljana Dragon by wili hybrid

1. Not bad for wine

It might surprise some of you to hear that Romania is at number 10 in the Top 12 Wine Producers in the World. The Romanians pump out nearly half a million tonnes of the stuff every year. It’s getting a very good name for itself around the world and is a lot cheaper than the pricey and haughty vineyards in France, Spain and Italy.

2. A shear joy

Legend has it that the whole beginnings of  Bucharest arose thanks to a simple shepherd called Bucar, which means ‘joy’. He would tend to his flock on the banks of the river Dambovita, harmlessly playing his flute and sipping at his famous wine. This great music and sumptuous drink made the whole region fall in love with him and so they named the place after him.

3. Count the Count

It might annoy Romanians now that their country can’t be mentioned without the need for Dracula to pop up at some stage, but it’s worth noting that the original inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Count was the great Vlad Tepes. He was born in Transylvania but died in Bucharest around 1476. He was nicknamed Vlad the Impaler due to having a certain fondness for the horrific method of torture that literally involved skewering people alive.

4. Ilie Năstase

Famous comedy tennis player Năstase was born in Bucharest just after the war. He has been the number 1 player in the world in 1973 and won the French Open that year and the US Open the year before. He’s latterly become famous for his exhibition matches around the world, especially Wimbledon, where he can even now hit the ball in the most inventive of ways, even if his temper is often a little on the heated side.

Photo of  the Museum of Arts in Bucharest, Romania, by Panoramas

1. It has gone by many a name

The Slovak Republic capital has seen many names over the years, often dependent on who is calling speaking about it. Pressburg is one that pops up a lot and in many English and German texts this is still prominent. Latin, Greek, Czech, French, Italian, Croatian, Hungarian, Slovak all have their own versions of the city but as of 1919, Bratislava officially became Bratislava.

2. Andy Warhol’s family came from Slovakia

It’s not technically Bratislava but it’s worth mentioning anyway because it’s something not very people know. The famous American pop artist Andy Warhol made Slovakia famous for more than 15 minutes because his parents were originally from Miková, which is on the very opposite side of the country to the capital.

3. A very wealthy capital

Bratislava is nothing like the rest of Slovakia in terms of Gross Domestic Product. It’s about three times higher than throughout the rest of the country and is one of the highest in the whole of Eastern Europe at a wealthy 30% above EU average.

4. The inventor of the parachute

Štefan Banič was born about 10 kms north of Bratislava in a town called Neštich in 1870. He is the man who invented the parachute. He immigrated to the United States, where he worked as a coal miner for a while but then built a prototype for a harnessed umbrella-like parachute and tested it by jumping out of an airplane and surviving in 1914. He sold it to the US military but received very little money and next to no fame for what would go on to save the lives of countless individuals.

Photo by R.Melero

Most people are very familiar with Prague – its castle and the old town square, the winding city streets, and its Bohemian flavor, but Brno is oftentimes overlooked as a viable destination for travelers. Brno is the Czech Republic’s second largest city, and due to the fact that it is overlooked, it could be referred to as a red-headed stepchild.

Home to a wide array of interesting attractions and events, Brno is about the same size as Portland, Oregon. The city offers a wide array of seasonal events such as:

• Summer – the Cabbage Market featuring fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Fall – the Young Wine Festival

• Winter – the Christmas Bazaar featuring a variety of present booths

• Spring – Easter Monday and the traditional kissing under the cherry blossoms

Though it appears non-existent, there is no lack for fine dining, nightlife, and pubs in Brno. Unfortunately, a lot of these have been omitted from most of the major tourist and travel guides. The majority of Czech cuisine focuses on three main staples – cheese, potatoes, and pork. Starobrno is the most preferred regular beer while Pivo Cerny is the dark beer of choice. Despite the fact that dining is a very important part of the Brno lifestyle, the bars, clubs, and pubs far outnumber restaurants.

The following is a list of the top 5 pubs and restaurants for you to enjoy while you are visiting this overlooked Czechoslovakian gem of a tourist destination:

1. Konselsky Senk

It is excellent for either family dining or a romantic dinner. This pub and restaurant combination offers an international menu featuring a strong focus on Italian and vegetarian cuisine. You have your choice of cold or hot dishes for lunch and dinner. The entertainment venue features piped in music and TV.

2. La Botte

Specialties include a wide array of international cuisine with seafood being their primary bill of faire. They serve beer, hard liquor, and wine, and offer both lunch and dinner menus and piped in music plays continually regardless of the menu available.

3. Hospoda Stodola

Hospoda Stodola features Pilsner Urquell, one of the finest beers in the Czech Republic. This is a rather simple pub with a brick bar, but the atmosphere makes it well worth venturing into.

4. Sherlock Holmes Pub

This is an English pub, but it features beers from Belgium and Holland as well as the Brit favorites. The décor is art-nouveau and it is located in the heart of the city at the town center.

5. Restaurace U Jošta

One of the more popular pubs in Brno featuring its own beer garden. It is located in the center of town and has a restaurant on the main floor while the pub is in the cellar.

“Fork & Knife” picture by Shock2006

The largest of all of them is Varna, the sea capital of Bulgaria also sometimes referred to as Bulgaria’s summer capital. The headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy is situated in this city. Descending from ever so green plateau terraces to the bay that is shaped like a horseshoe Varna is an around-the-year tourist destination. From being rich in natural beauty to being choc-a-bloc with monuments and museums of social and cultural interests, Varna is also a city with much historical significance.

Varna, the historical city

One of the oldest cities in not just Bulgaria but all of Europe, Varna dates back to sometime in the fifth millennium BCE. From being the Greek established city of Odessus, it has been Thracian, Macedonian, and Roman in subsequent years till it became a part of Bulgaria after the Treaty of Berlin.

The earliest settlement here was pre-historic as evident from the Varna Necropolis, one of the most important archeological sites originally belonging to the pre-historic world. The graves found here date back to the Eneolithic era. The excavation of graves has also revealed some of the world’s oldest gold and bronze.

The ruins of old basilicas and monasteries in the city reveal that Varna was a historic Christian center. Marine charts from fourteenth century Italy mention Varna as being the most important sea port on the route from Constantinople to the Danube Delta. The last major recorded battle of the European Crusades is the Battle of Varna in 1444. The fall of Constantinople was inevitable after the Crusade of Varna failed. With such history to boast of, old architecture and magnificent ruins merge everywhere with modern buildings.

Varna, the sea resort

Dotted with beautiful beaches Varna is one of the most popular summer resorts in Bulgaria. In the summer months it is sunny almost eleven hours a day making it ideal for sunbathers. The sea is also very calm with hardly any turbulence. The moderate climate, secure from the coldness of the Baltic wind and the heat of summer Riviera, makes sure that the beach and the water are both always the right temperature.

There are several hot sulfur springs along the beach that are used as spas and mineral baths. The twelve mineral springs in Varna have made sure that it is not only a recreational destination but a region of importance for those seeking healing prophylaxis. Mud from the Firth Lake in Varna also has prophylactic properties.

The Asparuhov Bridge that spans over the canals that crisscross between the Black Sea and Lake Varna is a popular destination for all extreme sports enthusiasts being a great location for bungee jumping. With the sun and beaches providing mental relaxation and the spas and mineral springs taking care of all physical problems, Varna is a complete therapeutic holiday destination if ever there was one. And the charm passes well beyond the beaches to permeate the entire city.

What to see and do in Varna

The Roman Thermae is the largest Roman archeological find in Bulgaria and dates back to the second century. It is, in fact, the third largest Roman ruin in Europe. Very little of the original structure remains today. The Varna Archeological Museum is the largest museum in Varna. It holds displays ranging from the pre-historic period to the Bulgarian National Revival period and includes Thracian, Greek, Roman, and Ottoman artifacts. Probably its most popular exhibit is the oldest gold treasure in the world known as the Gold of Varna.

The Aldazha monastery situated north of central Varna is a Christian Cave Monastery belonging to the medieval period. The grotto is a part of the Golden Sands Natural Park.

The Sea Garden is the largest park in Varna and includes a fabulous aquarium, dolphinarium, planetarium, zoo and the Museum of Natural History among other attractions. Bronze statues of famous Bulgarians decorate the National Revival Alley. There are also two open air theatres which is the venue of several operatic and theatrical performances and of the International Ballet Competition. The Garden has been declared to be a national monument of landscape architecture.

Pobiti Kamani is a natural rock phenomenon just west of Varna which are hollow stone columns filled with sand.

There are several old churches and cathedrals in Varna including the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin which has the Bishop’s throne and an intricately carved iconostasis, and the Archangel Michael chapel which is the site of the first Bulgarian secular school. There is also a Buddhist center and two old mosques belonging to the Ottoman period. Together they reveal the colorful past, and, probably, the more colorful present of Varna, the sea capital of Europe.

Photo of Chaika Beach, Varna, bulgaria, by blu_blue

Far fewer tourists crowd the Bratislava streets than what you find in Prague. However, the beer culture and the nightlife make it hard to distinguish between the two. Whether you ask for it or not, your glass or mug never gets too emptied before it is refilled.

The Bratislava locals that frequent these different night spots all love to practice their English on those visitors that speak it as their native language. Suffice it to say, the city is extremely English friendly. Despite being a smaller city compared to Budapest, Prague, or Warsaw (for instance), the locals here enjoy showing their visitors what a good time is all about, especially where the bars, clubs, and pubs are concerned.

Whether it’s a quiet bar hidden from the main drag where you can relax with a delicious beer, an imitation Irish pub, or a lively club where you can dance and listen to live music until the wee hours of the morning, Bratislava has what you are looking for. Though the city has been transitioning into something more cosmopolitan, the wide array of tasty beers and the savory Bohemian cuisine make it all so worth visiting and exploring the city.

The following are considered the top nightclubs in Bratislava.

• UFO

A lofty venue perched atop the Novy Most (New Bridge) that looks just like the name implies. Just the club’s unique location and its techno interior make this one of the most popular clubs in Bratislava. The elevator ride comes with a fee attached, but the panoramas at nighttime are nothing short of spectacular.

• Cirkus Barok

This club is all about entertainment with cocktails, dancing, and live music being the venue. There are amateur nights where visitors are allowed to participate provided they have their own musical instrument. And best of all, the club is situated inside a renovated boat house.

• Trafo Music Bar

Definitely one of Bratislava’s “swanky” joints that was designed after some of the clubs you would find in London or New York. A 50-foot bar lining a huge dance floor is the main features while the entertainment, dancing and live music, seems endless. It’s not unusual to see local celebrities pop in once in a while either.

• Subclub

A nightlife legend in the eyes of Bratislava locals. Its name was appropriately chosen since this is the main hang out for the local subculture. Interestingly enough, the club was once a fallout shelter during the Cold War, but today, it is the heart of the techno music culture.

So, just chill out and enjoy the vibrant culture of this beautiful city.

Photo of Bratislava, Slovakia, at night by Elin B

They are so close in fact that Ryanair flies into an airport known only to itself as Bratislava-Vienna. Anyway, this proximity means that visitors to one city can easily spend a day in the other and make it back in time for tea. I have written this post from the point of view of travelling from Vienna to Bratislava since that is the way I did it but it can be done vice versa.

Vienna – Bratislava by bus

As with everything when you are travelling, the first consideration is most likely to be cost if you don’t have much money and comfort if you do. Bearing this in mind the budget means of transport is, as always, the bus. There are several companies running buses along the short route, Eurolines is probably the most well known although their Austrian site is a pain to use. The Slovak one is useful though. The bus takes about an hour and a half and should cost up to twenty Euros depending on the time and season of travel. The bus means that the emphasis is firmly on the destination and not the journey which, while not unpleasant, is never anything more than bland.

Vienna – Bratislava by bus

The train is quicker than the bus, more comfortable and the journey more scenic. It can also be cheaper, advance tickets costing as little at nine Euros. That price goes up substantially if you cannot buy ahead, however. Both the buses and trains run regularly meaning that if you can’t plan ahead you aren’t going to be left hanging around for ages at the station.

Vienna – Bratislava by boat

The top end of the market is not, as is usually the case these days, taken by the plane. Flying between the two cities would in fact be completely pointless; you could walk the distance in the time it takes to go through security. The most pleasant means of transport is in fact the boat.

Both cities lie along the course of the river Danube as it winds its way through Europe and out into the Black Sea. Boats ply the course regularly, much more so in summer, and although it takes considerably longer the views and experience make up for it. The boats are generally full of contented looking people hanging over the railing and humming ‘Blue Danube’ to themselves. The price of the boat tickets is high since they are a tourist commodity and this puts many people off, one way to get around it is to take the boat in one direction and either the bus or train in the other.

“The Danube Toward Vienna” picture by Bill Barber 

Book your room in one of these two Bucharest hotels available on venere.com and enjoy a special discount.

1. Hotel Golden Tulip Bucharest

The Golden Tulip Bucharest is a city hotel overlooking the central Alea Victoriei boulevard and located within easy reach of Bucharest’s major tourist attractions such as Little Paris, the Arch of Triumph, the Royal Palace, Revolution Square, the House of Free Press. This Bucharest hotel offers beautiful, modern rooms boasting a relaxing atmosphere and featuring satellite TV, pay TV, Internet access and air conditioning. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, a sport and fitness club, as well as rooms and equipment for your business stay in Bucharest.

Special Hotel Deal valid till June 21, 2009: Standard Double Room for €90 per night (prepaid / not refundable). Free Breakfast.

2. The Amzei Hotel Bucharest

The Amzei Hotel is centrally located in Bucharest, next to Victoria Avenue, an elegant shopping street filled with boutiques, cafés and restaurants.  Boasting contemporary interior design, stylish guest rooms and deluxe facilities, this charming boutique hotel in Bucharest offers privacy and luxury in the very heart of the city. The Amzei Hotel also has a welcoming bar where guests can relax after a day of sightseeing and shopping in Bucharest. A great hotel choice either for a romantic break or a business stay in Bucharest

Special Hotel Rate valid till January 1, 2010: Deluxe room for € 109.4 per night (prepaid / not refundable). Free Breakfast.

Photo of Bucharest, Romania, by Chodaboy

It’s no huge surprise then that tea has been one of the widely drunk and important beverages throughout the ages all over the world. It’s more than just a drink. It’s a medicine, it’s a tradition, it’s a reason for people to be together. The leaves might come from miles away but the love of a brew is found all over. In France, Spain and Italy you’re likely to get lemon and sugar but never milk or a biscuit. Further east you’re likely to find more herbal teas. In the UK you’ll get a bag thrown in a cup for a second then milk. India, China and Japan have a huge custom with tea but how does differ around Europe?

Great Britain

Although the leaves come from miles away on the other side of the world, few could fail to notice the immediate association the Brits have with their tea. It’s quite simply as iconic as the Queen. Tea first made it way over here during the reign of Charles II in the 17th Century. Largely through the British East India Company during the colonial occupation of India. It became the drink of the aristocracy and a signifier of British decadence. Now though it’s drunk in every echelon of society, from the building site to the Ritz. It’s not just a drink it’s a time of the day. Tea at three, with cucumber sandwiches followed by scones and cream is as popular today as it’s ever been. In the quaint green parts of the English countryside you’ll find delightful little places called tearooms, where the British love for their tea is more obvious than anywhere. The addition of milk to their tea is what makes tea very different from anywhere else.

Russia

In Russia it’s more about what it looks like than what it tastes like. The majesty of the drinking devices make tea drinking more beautiful than in most countries. They brew the black tea in a teapot, like the Brits, but then transfer it to podstakanniks, which are beautiful silver, nickel or gold goblets that hold a glass inside. They drink from these after meals and serve the tea very strong with a sugar and lemon but never milk. The stronger the tea, the more welcoming the host. The big difference between Russia and the UK is the lack of a bag. Only lose blacks leaves are found in Russia.

Czech Republic

This is perhaps the most interesting of recent developments in the world of tea in Europe. Not a million miles away from the British tearooms, the Czech Republic in recent years has seen a tea phenomenon strike up. A cajovna is where people go, like they would do a bar, to hang out, lounge on the rugs, sofas and chairs and socialise whilst being served a huge variety of teas from around the world all served in their traditional styles. Dobra Cajovna in Prague was one of the first of these tearooms to pop up and following its success the last decade has seen Prague host more tearooms per square miles than anywhere else in the world.

Photo by visualpanic

BrillantTips lists 11 pop culture memorials including a bust of Franck Zappa in Vilnius, Lithuania, Jim Morrison’s grave at Père-Lachaise in Paris, France, a statue of Jimmi Hendrix in Seattle, Washington, and more legendary rock stars artistic expressions from around the world.

Rome Tweetup

If you are a travel blogger and twitter addict living in Rome, Italy, or simply visiting the Eternal City, do not miss the Travellicious Tweetup held in the Garbatella area on Saturday May, 23, 2009.

Bart van Poll Interview

On Europe a la Carte Blog, read an interesting interview with Bart van Poll, an Amsterdam local and travel addict who co-founded the very cool Spotted by Locals cityblogs.

Currency Exchange Offices in Paris

On her Secrets of Paris blog,  Heather Stimmler-Hall tells travelers where to exchange money in Paris.

New York Museums

If you are planning a trip to New York this summer, visit Walking off the Big Apple and check out a list of the most interesting museum exhibitions in June, July and August 2009.

Photo of bust and portrait of Frank Zappa in Vilnius, Lithuania, by Benv Schlevich

Boasting a rich historical and architectural heritage, this year’s Europe Capital of Culture offers visitors all they need for an unforgettable weekend break in Eastern Europe: great choice of accommodation, remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites, interesting museums, excellent traditional and international restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and a lively program of shows, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and special events through the year.

Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this unique cultural experience. Book your stay in Vilnius on venere.com and get the best hotels deals available till March 24, 2010!

Mikotel – Vilnius

Ideally situated in the beautiful Old Town, the Mikotel is a budget hotel in Vilnius offering double rooms for $65.4 and triple rooms for $79.6 per night (prepaid/not refundable). Free breakfast.

Hotel Comfort – Vilnius

Located in the heart of Vilnius Old Town, Hotel Comfort offers standard double rooms for $84 per night (prepaid/not refundable). Free breakfast.

Panorama Hotel – Vilnius

The modern Panorama Hotel offers comfortable accommodation in Vilnius Old Town from $84 per night (prepaid/not refundable). Free breakfast.

Photo of Vilnius Old Town by erephas

• Are you spending some Spring time in Paris? Do not miss to visit at least one of the Top 10 Paris Pavement cafes by Travel_Trips.

• Marianocubi offers you the last hotel rooms for the Catalunya Moto GP.

• Visit Pure Travel announces that one of the 7 modern wonders, the Empire State Building in New York, is currently going green with a project that should be finished in two years.

• Are you in love with the most sensual dance in the world? If you’d enjoy to attend to a tango performance but instead of being in Argentina, you are in Slovenia, Visit Ljubljana proposes you the 2009 Tango Festival.

• Need to book a budget plane ticket? Lazy Tourist tells you how.