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Member bloggers My Melange lay out their top 5 reasons to visit Provence on your Europe vacations.

Provence Dec05, by Halans

The article contains some very enticing photos (in more ways than one!) which do much more than just add beauty to a good story, highlighting the multitude of Provence attractions.

In essence, Provence is a gorgeous region of France and highly recommended for Europe tours. The outstanding five reasons to visit Provence are originality, art coming alive, hidden treasures, wonderful markets and the colour purple.

These reasons have of course to be explained in full, which the original article does exceptionally well. For example, experiencing the lavender in full (purple) bloom is possible from late spring to early autumn, when the fields sway under the gentle breezes carrying the aromas far and wide, making the European traveler feel part of a surreal experience.

Europe vacations would not be complete without outdoor markets. In these, locals sell fresh produce, food, wine and art to a rich mix of people including those engaged in travel through Europe. Although markets can be visited by everyone who takes a trip across Europe, they are particularly noticeable by those that travel by train, since many stations are usually in town centres where outdoor markets are held.

As for the other reasons for visiting Provence, i.e. hidden treasures and originalities, you will have to find Provence attractions. Which, judging by the article, should not be too difficult!

You may also be interested to find out our views on (French) Provence vs Tuscany in Italy; the two regions share many similarities and both vie for your attention (and euros!) so it may pay you to make an informed choice.

Europe a la Carte’s Neha writes on London’s Portobello market at Notting Hill. The market has been an institution, way back before its location became as upmarket as it is today.

Portobello market: Street colours, by suvodeb

Portobello adds a ‘market town’ feel to London, not necessarily a bad thing at all, lending yet another aspect to this great city. There is antiques galore on Saturdays, and George Orwell’s house is also located in Portobello.

But the article, quite correctly, exemplifies Portobello Market for its no-bars display of the quirky English attitude. All sorts of nick-nacks can be found here, including mugs with pictures of the royal family, old library books (probably some gems amongst them for those who know what they’re buying) and all sorts and sundry just waiting to be discovered.

The food’s good too, with street vendors competing with cosy pubs, smart cafes and fruit/vegetable stalls, in a street decorated with the most imaginatively painted pastel buildings. All in all making Portobello Market a great attraction.

You can easily spend the rest of your day at the (free) Victoria and Albert museum, or even walking around Hyde Park. There’s so much to do and see in London that it’s an unmissable part of any Europe trip.

Partner bloggers Sharing Travel Experiences describe Lisbon for foodies.

Lisbon: broiled pork, by UnorthodoxY

The article (very sensibly!) goes along the route of (typical) breakfast, lunch (with a view) and dinner (with drinks), with a clever afternoon wine tasting session included to round up the day’s offerings. They recommend menus, places and courses, accompanied by very enticing piccies. Some local history is also thrown into the mix, adding even more flavour and colour (see if you can spot how to get that free gift!)

And as for recommended foods? Salt cod, Sheeps milk cheese, local Soup and Sausages are only some of the suggestions.

Yammy, polish those forks!

As an added incentive, last year Portugal was amongst the top in reader’s picks of cheap destination in Europe so that’s all the more reason to visit Portugal on your European vacation.

Partner Travel Calling write about Sardinia’s Mamuthones. These dark, most mysterious masks, usually seen at Sardinia’s carnival, are strongly linked with ancient (2000 year old) ritual.

Mamoiada, sardinia, Italy, by ezioman

There is no clearly known explanation what the figures, dressed in sheepskins and wearing the dark masks, represent – all was lost in the mists of time! The Mamuthone wearers happily mingle with other carnival mask wearers (such as the Issohadores) as well as wearers of more ‘regular’ masks. The whole carnival acquires both a happy and mysterious atmosphere, which only goes to add to the heady mix for the traveler making it worthy of inclusion on your itinerary when you travel to Europe.

Another occasion to see the Mamuthone masks in all their gruesome glory is the Saint Anthony Abbate festival, where the Mamuthones do not have to mix/compete with other masks (excepting the Issohadores, with which they are somehow linked) and where there’s also dancing around fires to be observed!

Sardinia itself is an island steeped in ancient mysticism, which adds another dimension to its allure as a European vacation destination. Sadly, Sardinia may soon be a paradise lost, at least if developers and politicians have their way! If you make it there in time, you may also wish to visit Sardinia’s ancient remote mines.

Partner site Europe up Close introduce Quimper (confluence) in North West France as a worthwhile stop on a Europe trip. This quaint town is where the Odet, Jet and Steir rivers meet.

Quimper, by gattospino

Parts of Quimper make medieval times come alive, as you walk on cobblestones appreciating the quaint mix of shops, many selling traditional earthenware pottery, cider and crêpes and the part-wood houses that are so typical of Brittany.

The article also points out the major town festival (held in February!) as well as other cultural events that are held in spring and summer, which you may be able to schedule into your Europe vacation. It also recommends several eateries for traditional Breton food and drink.

You may additionally be interested in our suggestions for French cultural events in 2010.

Partner site Tourism in Italy suggest a hiking experience along the coastal path as part of a Cinque Terre vacation on your Europe tour. Cinque Terre is on Italy’s western coast in the Liguria region . Many locations are not accessible by car, therefore ferry, train or foot are best methods of transport to explore this beautiful area.

Italy – Cinque Terre 5, by travellingtamas

The five villages of Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza and Riomaggiore are joined together by the coastal path. Different hiking abilities are required for the various stretches of this very long coastal route, and there are some locations along the way where it is possible to exchange the car for hiking shoes. The route Monterosso/Vernazza/Corniglia is the most demanding, while Corniglia to Manarola may be appreciated at a much gentler pace. You can choose your preferred route varying from a level thirty minute stroll to a demanding whole day hike.

You may also wish to consider our own suggestions for hiking across Europe when you are traveling in Europe.

Partner Europe blog write on the current state of affairs regarding European Jobs. This article should be of interest to all for several reasons, including comparison with their home-job market, the possibility of a working holiday as part of travel in Europe and better understanding of the interdependence of the job market on a global scale.

My Europe, by Photocapy

In terms of job losses until 2008, the main sufferers had been Spain, Germany (each with around 3 million unemployed), followed by the UK and France. The reasons for this ranged from additional loss of jobs in traditional industries such as construction (Spain) to the inability to export as much as before (Germany), plus a general lowering of spending due to the economic slowdown.

The article introduces a very positive note for 2010, based on the figures for 2009 which have shown good rates of economic growth, ranging from 3-7% for some of the countries they discuss. The authors believe that this means the recession is clearly at an end and that there should be more good news in the future, particularly as spending increases and job-creation measures take hold.

This of course must be good news for those considering a working holiday when traveling Europe, but the advice is to do some serious research, including reading specialist blogs and publications specific to the country/type of employment sought, possibly even contacting the embassy for verification and suggestions. It is usually the case that the more niche the type of work one can offer the lower the competition, possibly meaning higher chances of obtaining work. Also, learning to speak some of the visited country’s language cannot be a bad thing, as well as making contacts beforehand e.g. through specialised websites.

To be on the safe side, also consider our previous article on European health care for travelers.

Partners Wandering Educators discover the most remote tea-room in Canna island, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The tiny island with a population of 18 (!) is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Harbour View Tearoom, by LHOON

You have to possess a certain affectionate love for small community and island living to covet the tearoom post, and it was won by a Scottish and Dutch born couple with appropriate catering experience. They look forward to becoming part of the fabric of the place and setting roots there. Who can blame them!

I wonder, what’s the percentage of those among us secretly dreaming of a radically alternate lifestyle? And of those, how many actually make a go for it?

We wish them good luck with their endeavours. From what we hear, the lucky ones will actually be the visitors who make it to Canna and get to taste the delicious food the couple have on the menu, which includes some excellent baking.

Can’t wait to visit the West of Scotland as part of a Europe tour and get on that ship.

For something a bit more lively but still Hebridean, you may be interested in the summer festival of Lewis.

Partners Wandering Educators reveal their 10 top tips for Prague in winter (and most possibly all other seasons too!)

Prague: a true historical jewel, byThe Gifted Photographer

Amongst the tips, watching the Changing of the Guards followed by walking round Prague Castle and the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral sounds fantastic, as does visiting the Kafka museum and going to the Opera. The Black Light Theater with its light, dark, dance and performance art sounds delightful, as does the suggestion of looking for that unusual hand-made marionette. I’m not sure about visiting the cemetery, even if Dvorak was buried there, but the journey towards it sounds interesting.  Sounds like another great reason to plan that trip to Europe.

When in Prague, it may also be fun to look out for/sample the evidence of the legacy of the Vengeful Monks!

Partners 3 Guys on a London Bus suggest we visit the Royal Academy of Arts in London while traveling in Europe. Amongst other delights there’s a Van Gogh exhibition (rare letters and paintings) running January 23– 18 April 2010.

Van Gogh Museum – The bedroom, 1888, by MicheleLovesArt

The academy provides Exhibitions, Evening talks, Free lunchtime lectures, Workshops, courses, symposia and tours, Free gallery and spotlight talks, Access events, Friends preview days and Fundraising events.

The authors also recommend the new Behind the Scenes tour, which is only on twice per month (cost £12-20). This should give insight on little-known exhibits by permitting the opportunity to discuss, sometimes over a glass of wine, with the museum’s experts. These tours are already highly sought after.

If you hurry you may still make the London cool 60’s music exhibition (on till Jan 24th), and of course there’s always the grand (and free to enter!) Victoria and Albert museum.