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January 28, 2019 Travel, Round the world

Best Cities in Europe

Where are the best places in Europe to travel?

In Europe, I would recommend the following cities and the many other places you could go to roughly an hour from there:

SALZBURG

This beautiful Austrian city which was made famous in the movie “The Sound of Music” was a delight to visit. It was also there that I visited my favourite palace to date which is the Hellbrunn Palace famous for its Trick Fountains, massive gardens, and the location for the pavilion where the song “I am 16 going on 17” was sung.

Get out:

Hallstatt

One of the most beautiful places I have been to in 104 countries, this UNESCO little town along the lake surrounded by mountains is also home to the oldest salt mine in the world – another reason to visit it.

Eisriesenwelt (World of the Ice Giants)

Just outside of Salzburg, you get the opportunity to visit the largest ice cave in the world! It was an eye-opening experience for me and one I would recommend.

Second pick:

SAN SEBASTIAN

Undoubtedly Spain has many amazing cities you have to visit (I do love Andalucia – Ronda is still on my list) however there is a reason why San Sebastian was voted European Capital of Culture in 2016. If you are a foodie, this Basque city will be a delight – tapas, cheesecake (Bar La Vina), and the many Michelin-starred restaurants you can choose from. You have the mountains, the beaches and the favorite shops in the old town to explore.

Get out:

Biarritz

If you are a surfer, you would have heard of Biarritz. A seaside town in France just north of San Sebastian, it is another place you must visit when in the area.

Third pick:

DUBROVNIK

This famous Croatian seaside UNESCO city does not need any more introduction. Made famous by Game of Thrones, you want to lose yourself along the city walls within the old towns and soak in the sun.

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Get out:

Kotor

Kotor in Montenegro is a stunning UNESCO town not far south of Dubrovnik. Kotor Bay is the deepest natural fjord-like bay in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mostar

The Old Bridge (Stari Most) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the icon of Mostar – undoubtedly my favorite place in Bosnia. The bridge was originally built by the Turks in 1566, destroyed in 1993 (war), and rebuilt in 2004. At 21m high, one can pay to see a member of the Mostar Diving Club dive off the bridge into the river below.

In 2009, I did a road trip across 9 countries in 9 days in the Balkans. That was when I visited Kotor for the first time, and Dubrovnik and Kotor for the second time.

Fourth pick:

ZURICH, Switzerland

Zurich is an incredibly beautiful city. On a clear day, you can see the Alps as you stroll down the streets heading toward the Lake. If you love desserts, please stop by Sprüngli at Paradeplatz on Bahnhofstrasse famed for the Luxembürgerli (macarons) and delicious desserts. For the best chocolates, go to Läderach. Cafe Schober in the old town has arguably the best hot chocolate (for 10chf) and my favorite thing to get for breakfast has to be the chocolate croissant (Schoggigipfel) from Buchmann Bäckerei (underground in the main train station or basement of Jelmoli mall).

Get out:

Interlaken

The adventure capital of Switzerland, this little town in the Alps between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz offers much for everyone. For those looking for the adrenaline rush, why not try canyoning, rafting, paragliding, skydiving, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more? You should most certainly go up some mountains such as Schilthorn (the James Bond mountain) and visit Lauterbrunnen and the unique glacial Trümmelbach Falls.

EUROPE

Every traveler’s dream destination. Although everyone has a different list of favorites, here are some of the picks that I feel capture the best essence of Europe.

FLORENCE:

Florence^[1] is the marriage of romance and art. It houses many masterpieces of architecture. Visit the place and indulge in the art and music scene of the destination and be one with Italy. Do try the cuisine here as Italian cuisine is considered one of the finest ones. There are lots of nightclubs and pubs that can be enjoyed in the destination and hence making it the picture-perfect destination. Treat your soul to its sparkling beauty and you’ll be proud of planning this trip.

LUCERNE:

Luzern, Winterpanorama, Europe — Image courtesy-Switzerland Tourism

This place is mainly known for its preserved medieval architecture. A compact city in Switzerland, it sits amid snow-capped mountains on Lake Lucerne. Lucerne[2] is considered the gateway to central Switzerland. Thanks to its attractions, souvenirs, beautiful lakeside settlement, and nearby excursion mountains, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland.

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SALZBURG:

Salzburg is an Austrian city on the border of Germany, with views of the Eastern Alps. The rich history, musical roots, magnificent architecture, and vibrant culture are what make Salzburg^[3] one of the top travel destinations in the world. The word Salzburg means “salt castle”, referring to its massive fortress and the white gold that is derived from the mountains in the South. The city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

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BARCELONA:

Barcelona^[4], the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. It is one of the best places to witness the decadent culture. One of the most beautiful seaside towns, Barcelona inspires imagination and that artist in you. The city is a major cultural center with a remarkable history. For a visitor, the main attraction tends to be in the city center, particularly around the Ramblas.

VIENNA:

Vienna^[5], Austria’s capital, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. It is defined as the center for 3 C’s – culture, coffee, and classical music. Dotted with museums, palaces, and churches, the city has proved itself as an ideal example of brilliant architecture. A wine-tasting tour in Vienna is a must.

LONDON:

London^[6], the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with a history stretching back to Roman times. Ranging from literary, bohemian, classic, and sports to music – London has all, thanks to its cosmopolitan self. The city has always represented itself as the center of power, European culture, literature, and some of the renowned architectural marvels. Topping the list of any tourism in the world, the city is always a coveted destination for those who are interested in its arts, culture, literature, and history.

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PARIS:

Valentine's day in Paris-top things to do in Europe — (photo source: raileurope.com)

Paris^[7], France’s capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. Known as the ‘city of lights’, this place never sleeps. Millions of visitors flock to the French capital every year to enjoy the culture and the buzz. It’s the perfect place for a romantic break, for those who enjoy a good meal with a great bottle of wine, for art and museum lovers, history buffs, and shopaholics.

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ROME:

Rome, Italy’s capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture, and culture on display. Rome^[8] is a place that will never fail to amaze you. The history of Rome spans fascinating two and a half thousand years and has left an imprint on many modern-day cultures. The iconic sight of the Colosseum, and the Vatican Museums are among the world’s 50 most visited tourist attractions.

PRAGUE:

Prague^[9], the capital of the Czech Republic, is a magical city stuffed with amazing architecture, museums, and art and intellectual pursuits. Considered one of the cheapest cities to travel to in Europe, it offers a great panorama for photography enthusiasts. It’s a historic town and a perfect destination for a weekend break. People who visit Prague compare it to Paris in terms of beauty and culture.

AMSTERDAM:

Amsterdam^[10] is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, and narrow houses. Amsterdam tourism is more than just magnificent architecture, the destination has the perfect recipe for fun. Although the city is easy to navigate both by foot or public transport, cycling is key to the city’s character as there are numerous bike paths. The city is famed for its neat, clean, and organized cycle paths as it is one of the best ways to travel around the city.

Budapest!

It offers you the culinary delights that Paris offers, it offers you the nightlife that Berlin offers, it offers you the cultural experience that Vienna offers, and it offers you history lessons that Rome offers. All these without burning a hole in your pocket!

It is a city that has a soul of its own and you fall in love with Budapest. The amazing thing is that Budapest unlike Paris, Berlin, London Rome, etc. loves you back and loves everyone equally.

Food and drinks!

The food is delicious ranging from chicken paprikash to beef goulash, from quince cheese to dobos cake, and you have to give it to the Hungarians for carbonating vodka to give us bubbly vodka and having the thought to prepare palinkas from pears and cherries instead of just regular jam.

Nightlife!

Budapest has clubs that no other European city has; they ruin clubs. Any other city would have razed abandoned World War-era buildings to make way for malls. Budapest uses them as clubs and bars that are brimming with people every night. In a ruined club, Thursday is the new Friday.

History and culture!

For a city that was established a millennium ago, It has everything to offer a history buff from oppressing monarchies to revolutions, from Nazi invasion to communism. Budapest offers you a rich cultural experience through all the museums, galleries, and opera houses.

So, what is/are your best city/cities in Europe?

The Best Things to See or Do When You Visit Cyprus

Settling for the right holiday destination can be a difficult task. There are so many countries with beautiful places to visit you can include on your bucket list. You need to factor in a few things before settling for one place, however. Make sure you are familiar with the weather conditions of your preferred holiday destination within the specific season you want to go.

You also need to determine your budget to know the amount you have to spend on your trip. Travel blogs and magazines can be of great significance when it comes to choosing the perfect holiday destination. There are different sites that have proper information on the different places you can visit. Cyprus is one place you can pick as your next holiday destination.

Walking along the sea coast in Protaras, Cyprus | by Monika Kostera (urbanlegend)

This Mediterranean island nation has beautiful beaches and attractive sites you can check out. However, you need to have proper documentation before touring the country. This helps prove your type and period of stay. One document you will need is the Cyprus tourist visa which is a must for any tourist.

You can get it from their embassy by applying after following the right application procedure. There is also an option of getting one through different visa agents. You can visit https://one-visa.com to get your visa processed fast.

The following are best things you can do or places to see when you are in Cyprus. Let’s have a look at some of them.

Tour the Villages of Cyprus

Cyprus, Fikardou, Village, Medieval
IC:Pixabay — Cyprus, Fikardou, Village, Medieval
IC: Pixabay

Away from the city or urban life in Cyprus, you can take the step of visiting their villages, which hold much of the more traditional way of life. You will come across so many things when you tour their villages.

Traditional Cypriot foods like Halloumi, Sheftalia, Kleftiko, and Tirokafteri are some of the things you will come across. You will get the first-hand experience of how they are prepared. You also have the opportunity to learn about their culture and their traditions. You can also sample some of their crafts.

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The Troodos Mountains

Cyprus Troodos Mountains Countryside landscape
IC: Pixabay

This is one of the largest mountains situated at the heart of the island. It is made up of very steep slopes covered with beautiful tree species. There are also several villages around the mountain. It has one of the most scenic views in the country. There are some lovely restaurants you will find too where you can sample some of the island’s dishes. You should visit and catch that beautiful view.

Fasouri Water Park

Limassol Fassouri Watermania Water Park
IC: altgiperon

You should visit the Fasouri Water Park to get some world-class water entertainment. It is one of the best water parks on the island and is perfect for the whole family. There are different features there that can also keep your kids entertained.

Limassol Old Town

You can also visit the Limassol old town and have a look at its many attractive features. Something that will catch your view is the beautiful architecture. Their streets are also designed perfectly. You can also sample some cuisine from the different restaurants in the area.

January 21, 2019 Food, Recipes

Very Berry Delicious!

It is the time of the year when the berries are available in the market-the most notable being strawberries.

The following are some delicious recipes using berries. Do try them out in your spare time.

Devil’s love bite cocktail

Ingredients

½ cup strawberry puree;

½ peg white rum,

Sugar syrup to taste;

2 tbsp. lemon juice

Preparation:

Blend fresh strawberries and strain the juice.
Shake along with the remaining ingredients in Boston shaker.
Garnish with fresh cut strawberries and salt on the glass rim.

Baked berry cheesecake

Ingredients:

75 gms butter melted plus extra for greasing;

175 gms digestive biscuits;

175 gms seasonal berries plus extra for decorating;

450 gms cream cheese;

150 gms caster sugar;

1 tsp. vanilla extract;

4 eggs lightly beaten;

Icing sugar to dust

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
Butter the sides and base of a 24cm cake tin. Place the biscuits into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs.
Alternatively, place them into a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin. Mix the crushed biscuits with the melted butter and press down into the base of the tin.
Spread the berries over the base and allow for chilling in the fridge for an hour.
Beat the cream, cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and the eggs together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
Pour over the top of the berries and then bake in the oven for 40 minutes or until pale golden and only wobbles slightly when you gently shake the tin.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for about 10-15 minutes.
Then run a knife around the edge to loosen it and carefully remove the cheesecake from the tin.
Sprinkle over a few blueberries/strawberries, then dust with icing sugar Best eaten at room temperature.

Raspberry Macaroons

Ingredients

100 gms almond powder

180 gms icing sugar,

100 gms egg whites,

¼ tsp cream of tartar,

35 gms castor sugar,

A few drops of pink gel paste food color.

Preparation:

Baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
Place the almond powder and confectioners’ sugar in a food processor and process until finely ground (about 1 to 2 minutes).
Sift the mixture to remove any lumps. In the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar gradually add the superfine sugar, and continue to beat, on high speed, until the meringue holds in glossy and stiff peaks.
Once the almond structure is completely folded into the meringue, fill a pastry bag with the batter.
Pipe rounds of batter onto the parchment paper. Let the macaroons sit at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes.
Meanwhile preheat your oven to 150 degrees c. Bake macaroons for about 16-20 minutes. Remove from oven and place the baking sheet on a wire rack. Let the macaroons cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Place the macaroons on a wire rack to cool completely.

Raspberry filling– In a bowl beat or whisk, the cream cheese with the mascarpone cheese until nice and smooth with no lumps. Stir in 3-4 tbsp. of raspberry jam until well combined. Place in a small piping bag.

To assemble macaroons– Start with two cookies of about the same size. Pipe a round of raspberry filling onto the flat bottom side of one cookie. Take the second cookie and place it (top side up) on top of the filling to sandwich together.

Enjoy!

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Rainbow sangria

Ingredients

White wine,

Black grapes,

Chopped strawberries,

Pineapple,

Orange and green apples.

Preparation– Stack black grapes at the bottom of the tall glass. Add ice cubes over the grapes. Stack the entire remaining fruits one above the other. Pour white wine and garnish with strawberry.

Start this year with modern cocktails, strawberries

Recipe courtesy- Siva Kumar, Pastry Chef at Ibis and Novotel Bengaluru and Executive Chef, Gopal Jha, Grand Mercure, Bangalore

January 18, 2019 Travel, Round the world

9 Best Inexpensive Cities in Europe to Visit on a Budget

Where to go in Europe on a Budget?

What are the best & most affordable vacation cities in Europe that have a ton of stuff to see & do?

What European cities are affordable?

Well, here is our list of the 9 (actually 10) best European cities to visit on a budget.

Our list factors in the sights and activities tourists can see, prices for hotels, sights, and restaurants, available cheap transportation to that city and if you would actually want to have a fun time in that town.

Where should I go in Europe if I am broke or not broke? Well here is our list.