By Anthony Grant
That word “amazing” is so overused today that to call Venice amazing would be like saying well, it’s “okay plus.” Hardly: Venice is phenomenal — a city built on water that can’t help but seduce. Like most cities, what you get out of a Venice vacation depends partly on what you put into it, and on my trip there this past winter that meant a lot of footsteps, which brought me down dark alleyways to cool addresses like the Palazzo Barbarigo, a sexy mama of a hotel whose front door opens to the Grand Canal. Even if you don’t stay in one of the hotel’s 18 plush rooms or suites, you can enjoy a cocktail in the Bond-flick-sleek bar. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Vacation Packages
Comments Off
Here’s TripAdvisor’s list of the 10 best free attractions in Europe, complete with TravelPod blogger comments.
1. Pantheon, Rome, Italy
Ronmystyk at The Pantheon
The only sad part was knowing that the marble and gold in the Basilica was stripped from all of the Roman monuments like the Colosseum and the Pantheon. They were left in ruins for the profit of the church. - Ronmystyk
2. National Gallery, London, England
England's National Gallery with Sshmalone
I am certainly not an art history fanatic, and wasn’t quite sure I would enjoy going to the National Gallery. But, it is really, really something to see such famous pieces of art in person. – Sshmalone
3. Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, England
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter with Dannielle
We did get to see an authentic old workshop and the office that was above it. The history stuff was good and our guide actually made some stuff with the molds and we got a Scottie dog of bronze that she had cut. - Dannielle
4. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
Felicityseeker in front of Notre Dame cathedral
We didn’t see Quasi Modo, but we did see some amazing gargoyles. – Felicityseeker
5. St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussels, Belgium
Jcastellan visits St. Michael's Cathedral
Continued walking and came tot he cathedral of St Michael. Where I paid money to see the archeological remains underneath, it was a rip off – I saw some old bricks. – Jcastellan
6. Duomo – Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy
The Duomo with Katieandchris
Our wait to enter was short, thank goodness, and upon entering, overwhelming awe struck me. The only thing Chris could make out in the dimly lit atmostphere was me wiping my eyes. Seeing such beauty in all the fine craftsmanship was just too much all at once. – Katieandchris
7. Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain
H_hurst in Retiro Park
Nothing like that where I live, that’s for sure! I could have spent the whole afternoon there, just lazying away the day… – H_hurst
8. Westminster Abbey, London, England
Sarahindenmark at Westminster Abbey
Much more interesting than St. Paul’s. Unfortunately, you can’t take pictures inside. – Sarahindenmark
9. St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Italy
Jahr28 at St. Mark's in Venice
This was absolutely amazing seeing and walking through architecture from the 1300s. - Jahr28
10. Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills, Northern Ireland
Giant's Causeway in Ireland with Jest491
Walked out to the Giant Causeway (hell of walk, 156 steps up the side of cliff). The causeway was formed during the early Tertiary period some 62 – 65 million years ago over a long period of igneous activity. – Jest491
Posted in: Vacation Ideas
Comments Off
Lonely Planet author Leif Pettersen’s Florence is the centre of the Tuscan universe. The city houses the greastest collection of Italian and Rennaissance art in the world and you often don’t even have to walk into a gallery. But once you enter, you can spend hours exploring the Uffizi’s endless Carravaggios or the Duomo’s inricate fresco. Don’t miss the view from the top of the Duomo. How you avoid the tourist masses, he doesn’t know.
Posted in: Destination Videos
Tony wheeler founder of Lonely Planet, shares about his wife’s homeland, Ireland. And the town of Cork in particular is one reason why Ireland is such a lovable place to visit as Tony shows you the attractions such as St Finn’s Bar Cathedral, Town of Cobh, the famous Blarney Castle and ofcourse where would Cork be without its friendly pubs.
Posted in: Destination Videos
Your ***-friendly destination! A fun and campy video covering all the things to do as a *** tourist in Barcelona. ***-xample is Barcelona’s *** neighborhood, but there are great places all over the city. I made this to advertise the *** neighborhood as I own one of the bars (Shadow)
Posted in: Destination Videos
A visit to the traditional Greek village of Olympus, on the Island of Kapathos, Greece. The working windmill is a must see.
Posted in: Destination Videos
Posted in: Destination Videos
Naples has redefined itself as a modern and prosperous city as it sits along the most glorious coastline in Europe. It boasts its Baroque and Neoclassical architecture and enjoys a lifestyle of great food, shopping, strong coffee and the traditional pizzeria.
Posted in: Destination Videos
Lonely Planet author George Dunford sums up Edinburgh. More Europe than Britain probably because of the month-long Edinburgh Arts Festival every August, the city is sophisticated Scotland. Pub culture is the backbone of society, making it easy to meet locals. Try scotch or hand-made Real Ale but steer clear of football in conversation until you find out which team they go for.
Posted in: Destination Videos
If Lisbon’s looks don’t take your breath away, then stuffing a custard tart in your mouth will. Mmm…
Posted in: Destination Videos