Red Square by Amanda Kendle

One of my favourite spots in the fascinating city of Moscow is Red Square, and member blog Eyeflare recently wrote a post on visiting Red Square. They point out something that had once confused me too – it’s not called Red Square because it’s red (it’s not – although the Kremlin walls are), but because the Russian word for red is the same as the word for beautiful! It was original built to serve as the main market place for Moscow but was also large enough to be a perfect place for military parades during the Soviet era.

Red Square is truly the hub of Moscow and on its borders you can find many of the major attractions of the Russian capital. These include the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the GUM department store and the State Historical Museum. So much history and culture in such a small space!

If you’re short on time, check our post on one day in Moscow, or if not, dive into our entire collection of Russian travel tips.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Exploring Moscow’s Red Square

1. Join the Alternative London tour

Setting off beneath the goat statue on the outskirts of Spitalfields Market, the Alternative London tour is a whirlwind two hours taking in the best of London street art from up to 50 artists. Run by knowledgeable Gary, you’ll discover some amazing artwork you’d have never seen without his expert eye to guide you. And best of all it’s free – all your charismatic guide asks is that you give him a tip if you feel he deserves one (warning: you will). Booking is essential; as a popular tour and with limited places, it’s often fully booked.

2. Grab a curry on Brick Lane

Besides being the best curries in the capital, anyone who’s walked along Brick Lane knows that there are amazing deals to be had. Make like a local and barter with the proprietors who’ll stand outside and holler at you. If you play it well, you can grab a curry, sides and beer for a steal at around a tenner.

3. Lose yourself at Rich Mix

Ten minutes walk from Liverpool Street station is quirky venue Rich Mix. Watch a film, see some art, check out live music, dance, theatre, comedy or spoken word… this hub of creativity has something to entice anyone, and at really competitive prices. All profits go back to support Rich Mix’s education, arts and community activities to nurture new, local talent.

4. Browse Spitalfields Market

You can wile away hours weaving through the stalls Spitalfields Market – all without spending a penny (if you have very strong willpower!). The market, open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, is great for finding unique or vintage clothes, local art, music, jewellery, homeware and more. Once you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, venture into adjacent Brick Lane covered market to take a worldwide tour through its enticing food stalls.

5. Go Vietnamese

Wander the Kingsland Road, 15 mins from Liverpool Street, to choose from a plethora of Vietnamese restaurants. Which one to go for, you decide – the best one on the strip is a highly contested and argued point (if you’re unsure, pick the one they’re queuing outside of). Most restaurants are BYO, so turn up with a bottle of your favourite plonk and pay as little as £12 for a starter and main.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Top 5 Things to on the Cheap around Liverpool Street

Mimosa bloom by Monica Arellano-Ongpin

If you’re a foodie, then you will want to know that March is the season for asparagus in Tuscany, along with artichokes and fennel. And with Easter usually just around the corner (or occasionally included in March, of course), there are plenty of Easter preparations and celebrations to get involved with.

While you’re thinking about Tuscany you might want to check our posts on six reasons to love Tuscany and some Tuscany trip planning tips.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Visiting Tuscany in March

Island of Finnhamn by dilschmann

The posts talk about the things to do on and around the island of Finnhamn in the northern archipelago, a popular summertime retreat with regular ferry connections if you don’t have the luxury of your own sailboat. In the other direction is Nåttarö, one of Stockholm’s archipelago’s most southern islands. It is home to some gorgeous accommodation, small wooden cabins dispersed throughout the island so you have some peace and tranquility.

You can also check our posts on unique activities in Stockholm or our entire collection of things to do in Sweden for more information.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Exploring Stockholm’s Archipelago

Chocolate in Turin by erinc salor

I didn’t know before that gianduja – a kind of chocolate made with a healthy dose of hazelnut paste, making it taste somewhat like Nutella – is a speciality of Italy and particular of the city of Turin. Now that I know, I’m very keen to try some the suggested spots in Turin with famously good gianduja – including the Guido Gobino retail shops (two in Turin) and Pfatisch, a store selling pralines and chocolates since the 1920s.

What’s more, there is even a chocolate festival held in March each year – 10 days of perfection known as CioccolaTO. If you possibly need any better reason to go to Turin, we have a post on touring historic Turin and of course plenty of information on Italy in general.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Chasing Italy’s Best Chocolate

The amazing volcanic scenery of the Timanfaya National Park is the first of these, apparently mostly formed during a six year long eruption in the 1700s. Then there’s a collapsed lava tunnel turned into an amazing concert venue and club, the Jameos del Agua; the Valley of 1000 Palms is a unique area of the otherwise dry island where more rain falls and thus more trees grow.

Timanfaya National Park by blinkingidiot

Then there is the Mirador del Rio, a lookout with spectacular views. There are more of them to be had at the Green Lagoon at El Golfo so there is plenty to keep your camera very busy.

Previously, we’ve published posts covering some general information about Lanzarote and it also featured in a post on the best beaches in Europe.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Five Reasons to Visit Lanzarote

Looking over Edinburgh by kyz

From there, they talk about cultural attractions such as the Edinburgh Festival and the Military Tattoo. Edinburgh is also known for its great literary history and was the first UNESCO City of Literature so book lovers can find plenty to amuse them here.

Outdoor enthusiasts are also catered for in Edinburgh, according to this top ten list. Of course, golf rates highly since Scotland is the birthplace of the sport; they also mention the large number of interesting walks that can be taken in and around the city.

In the past we’ve also featured posts on the top restaurants in Edinburgh and the best walks in and around Edinburgh.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Highlights of Edinburgh

Con artist warning in La Rambla by Amanda Kendle

The first on the list is to avoid – to some extent – La Rambla, the main tourist street of Barcelona. When I last went to Barcelona, this sign warning tourists of con artists hung very visibly there, and it sounds like things haven’t changed too much!

Other touristy ideas like flamenco performances (flamenco’s from a different part of Spain) and bars selling sangria (the locals don’t drink it here) are also suggested as being bad ideas; and like in most European cities, restaurants advertising their menu with many prominent photos of dishes are also likely to be expensive tourist traps. Instead, try our insider tips on some great tapas in Barcelona.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Avoiding Tourist Traps in Barcelona

Although it’s an old zoo on a small area (being so central, it’s tricky to expand!), the habitats and enclosures are constantly being upgraded and there are no old-fashioned, tiny cages left. Natural habitats are the norm and some of the exhibits are particularly clever – apparently there is a snail pavilion and there is no glass wall but instead some kind of  ”cold curtain” which prevents the snails from (slowly!) escaping!

Antwerp Zoo by morgaine

Other great parts of the zoo include Vriezland (the penguin enclosure) and Nocturama, a display of nocturnal animals.

In the past, we’ve featured the great new MAS Museum in Antwerp and you can also explore our whole collection of Belgium tips if you’re planning a Belgian holiday soon.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Antwerp Zoo – One of Europe’s Oldest

View over Zurich by calflier001

For a start, they have recently found accommodation in Geneva costing less than CHF125 a night, and ten decent places in Zurich charging less than CHF130 a night – at least if you pick the right nights, for example in spring and autumn, and usually on weekends because during weekdays business travellers tend to fill up hotels in these cities.

The other way to save is on transport. If you stay in a hotel, hostel or campground in Geneva, you are actually entitled to a Geneva Transport Card which gets you on all the public transport for free; in Zurich, the free bike program is another great way to get around without paying a cent.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Seeing Switzerland Cheaply