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Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

Travel to, and explore Turkey, don’t just eat it!

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Istanbul, TurkeyIt’s almost Thanksgiving, that peaceful time of year when family and friends get together, reflecting on what they are most thankful for. And of course, the main event of this harmonious day, is feasting on a tantalizing turkey dinner!

We thought it would fun to explore another option for turkey however, one that you don’t eat! That’s right, we’re talking about taking a trip to Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey.

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Abracadabra! Travel to Granada, Spain, for the Hocus Pocus Festival

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Granada, SpainThe annual Hocus Pocus Festival fills the Spanish city of Granada with fascinating magic. Enjoy events for both the public and professionals, including HocusNights (magic shows), lectures and workshops at venues throughout the city.

This year’s Hocus Pocus Festival will feature performances by magicians and masters of illusion from Spain, China, France and Argentina. There will even be gala performances and clown workshops as well!

The festival runs from November 25th-29th. Come to Granada and be mystified by illusions beyond your wildest imagination.

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The Normandy Invasion is worth honoring with a trip to France this Veterans Day

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, FranceThis Veterans Day, go to Normandy and pay tribute to the brave men who fought and sacrificed their lives for our many freedoms. Travel by train from Paris to Rouen or Caen, and then pick up a car to tour the beaches of Normandy. Using a France Rail ‘n Drive Pass gives you the flexibility to travel by car and train.

If you’d prefer not to drive in France, a France Rail Pass provides you with unlimited travel on the entire French rail system. With services such as the TGV, trains can take you where you want to go.

It’s best to take the train from Paris to Rouen or Caen. Rouen can be reached by TGV in about an hour and a half. Caen is just over a 2-hour trip by train.

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Samnaun, Switzerland, hosts the Santa Claus World Championship

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Samnaun, Switzerland Santa Claus World ChampionshipCome to Samnaun, in Switzerland, this November to see a display of Santas like you’ve never seen before! It’s the Santa Claus World Championship, taking place November 27-28, 2009.

This event is fun for the whole family with music and skiing, there’s something for everyone. So make plans in your schedule to come and watch these Santas battling it out. You’ll get to see them competing in chimney climbing, gingerbread decorating and of course, delivering gifts!

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Travel to Romania, Transylvania is the ultimate Halloween treat!

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Bran Castle - Romania, image courtesy of Romanian National Tourist Office It seems vampires, nowadays, are drawing much more than blood, they are drawing widespread attention! With various television shows and movies airing, interest in vampire culture seems to be at an all-time high.

Count Dracula is probably the world’s most famous and well-known vampire. Dracula is known to many as a horror film, adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker. However, Stoker had created his story based on a series of stories published throughout Hungary and the Balkans.

Stoker selected Romania as the setting of his book, given it was the birthplace of vampire myths. He chose to model his character after Vlad Dracula from the Transylvania region. He figured in his audience, few knew of him, and those who did, would know of the morbid acts of cruelty committed by him, fitting perfectly into his story.

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Travel to Budapest, a Hungarian Treat

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Budapest-Szechenyi-BathsIsten hozta Budapest! Or, welcome to Budapest for those who are not fluent in Hungarian! Budapest is a city split by the dark gold Danube by day and the black velvet Danube by night.

Budapest is a quaint city, while it has modern flair, you can embrace old-world architecture all around. On the winding streets of Buda you’ll see the reconstructed castle, and many rejuvenated pink and gold Baroque and Renaissance houses. You’ll also find the thermal baths and the remains of the city walls.

In Pest you’ll come across a combination of Art Nouveau, old turrets, museums, the opera house, banks and elegant shops. Buda and Pest are so close, yet provide completely different experiences for travelers.

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Take a trip to Stockholm, the Venice of the North

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Stockholm, SwedenIf you’ve ever spent some time strolling through the winding streets of Venice, or taken a gondola ride under the famed Bridge of Sighs, you simply must take a trip to experience Stockholm, the so-called Venice of the North.

Stockholm is located on the islands between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren, in Sweden. You’ll want to take a boat ride under the bridges of Stockholm, and you’ll think you’re in Venice!

Be adventurous on your trip to Stockholm and indulge in some great excursions, such as the harbor islands or to Lake Mälaren’s Royal Palace of Drottningholm, with its lovely grounds and 18th-century theater. Or visit one of the many museums, there are over 50 in the city!

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Belgrade is closer than you might think

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Belgrade, SerbiaBelgrade, or the White City, is located in Serbia. This city has been demolished 40 times and rebuilt. The amount of conflict that has been endured shows how strong the nation is.

There is much to see and do in Belgrade. From museums, to art galleries, and they even pride themselves on having the second-largest arena in Europe! The arena is magnificent and is a must-see on your trip.

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Haunted happenings in Prague, Krakow and Cachtice

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Jack the Ripper, LondonAs Halloween approaches, we thought it would be fun to highlight some of the spookier sights in Europe to get you in the ghoulish spirit! For example, you can take a train from London to Edinburgh and tour the underground vaults while listening to stories of horror, or visit one of many haunted castles in Europe.

This post will focus on a few scary spots that we think are worth visiting. Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia all contain cities that gave us goose bumps when we visited and learned some of their history and legends. The great thing is that you can get a European East Pass and travel by train in these countries.

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It would be a tragedy not to make this trip…to Greece

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Athens, GreeceVisit an ancient city with distinct modern flair. Athens is a place where astonishing ruins share center stage with today’s high-rises, and where archaeological digs proceed alongside construction for a new subway.

On your visit to Athens, be sure to take in the star attraction, the Acropolis, as it rises 200 feet above the city, capped by the magnificent Parthenon. Best seen early in the morning before the crowds arrive, the Acropolis is home to several other exquisite temples as well.

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Eurochocolate: A sweet treat on your trip to Italy

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Florence, ItalyChocolate is used in so many ways, to treat stress, to sooth cravings, or just a treat for no reason at all. Some even believe the cocoa butter in chocolate to be beneficial to the skin.

Chocolate spas are popping up all over the place, but before laying out the dollars for this type of sweet deal, be sure you’re getting the real thing and not just a chocolate “scented” treatment!

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Say Goodbye to Summer in Switzerland

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

william-tell-view-from-boatAs summer gives way to Autumn, why not take a scenic fall getaway to Switzerland? Known for its picturesque landscape, Switzerland is the perfect place to unwind from all the events of summer.

You can find everything from serene afternoons by a babbling brook to the excitement of a gondola ride up to the top of a towering mountain in this beautiful country. It is one destination that truly does offer something for everybody!

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Dig Out Your Dirndls And Lederhosen!

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Image courtesy of the GNTOFinal preparations are underway for what promises to be another memorable Oktoberfest. During this 16-day festival, millions will attend the celebration and an astonishing amount of ales and beer along with traditional German foods will be consumed. While on the surface this festival seems to be a beer lovers paradise, Oktoberfest has an interesting story behind it, giving the festival even deeper meaning.

In mid-October back in 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig I (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the Royals’ reception, held in the fields in front of the city gates. The fields were named Theresienwiese, which translates into “Therese’s fields” in honor of the Princess. A horse race was run to celebrate the nuptials and it marked the end of the reception.

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New Interactive Map of Europe is here!

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Interactive MapWe now have an interactive map of Europe on our site to help with travel planning. This is a long overdue feature to our website, but we’re glad to finally bring you our first comprehensive European rail map, representing all train lines including high speed rail and regional networks.

We strove to provide you with the highest level of detail and accuracy and we certainly hope you’ll find this tool helpful in planning your next trip to Europe.  We really think this map is one of kind and we spent countless hours aggregating geographical data from multiple sources in order to paint a comprehensive picture of the extent of the European rail network.

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Summer Ballet Festival in Moscow

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow

Do you enjoy classical ballet? Ever dreamed of going to Moscow? Now you can do both! The annual Summer Ballet Festival is going on right now through September 25th in Moscow. You can experience some of the most noteworthy masterpieces such as, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and more.

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