Tag Archives: Europe

Want Luxury? 5 Reasons You’ll Love St. Petersburg

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries | Tags: attractions, Europe, luxury, Russia

When you think of a decadent, luxurious holiday destination, Russia might not be the first place that springs to mind. But you may be pleasantly surprised to find out what St. Petersburg has to offer to the discerning tourist with a taste for the finer things. The former imperial capital of Russia and second largest city, St. Petersburg is also a major cultural centre and bustling metropolis, home to some incredible and unique tourism hotspots. Below, we list out the reasons you’ll love St. Petersburg if you are an unapologetic lover of all things luxury…

1) Hermitage Art Gallery

Housed in the awe-inspiring Winter Palace which was built for Empress Elizabeth by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Hermitage Art Gallery is home to one of the biggest art collections in the world, with 360 rooms exhibiting some of their 3-million strong catalogue of artworks and exhibits. Founded by Catherine the Great in 1750, the vast collection at the Hermitage is considered by some to be the most comprehensive overview of Western European art, so naturally this trip may require a little forward planning to see everything you want to see – see https://www.hermitagemuseum.org for more information.

2) Ballet

A visit to Russia would simply not be complete without seeing the ballet – and the original Mariinsky Theatre, where many of the greatest works of Russian ballet & opera were first performed, is the perfect choice. Founded in 1860, the Mariinsky continues to stage both modern and classic performances – see what’s on during your trip at http://www.mariinsky.ru/.

3) Nightlife

St. Petersburg is often referred to as the ‘beer capital’ of Russia, and many breweries and distilleries call it home. There is a great nightlife scene in St. Petersburg, and some bars & nightclubs are so exclusive you may find yourself turned away IF you have not booked in advance! The Mayakovsky bar on Pochtamtsky per 5 offers sophisticated cocktails, smooth jazz, moody lighting and sumptuous velvet interiors – ideal for a classy evening out.

4) Hotels

St. Petersburg’s many hotels offer a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets, but to truly revel in the old-school splendour of mother Russia, you could do much worse than stay at the 5-star Corinthia, boasting a spa and workout room, multilingual staff, full concierge service and lounge bar, the Corinthia captures the true essence and grandeur of its historic location at Nevsky Prospect, and offers the ultimate in Russian hospitality, comfort and decadence.

5) Dining

With so many amazing cultural destinations in St. Petersburg, you can expect the very best of their cuisine too. Russian food may not be a byword for fine dining, but the eateries offering traditional fare in St. Petersburg will blow you away. One of the leading high-end restaurants in St Petersburg, ‘L’Europe’ located in the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe on Nevsky Prospekt effortlessly blends handsome turn-of-the-century décor with flawless haute cuisine, offering a mix of Russian and European cuisine, including a sumptuous caviar and champagne brunch on Sundays.

04 Aug 2015

Best Time To Visit Gibraltar

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries, England, Featured | Tags: best time to visit, Europe, Gibraltar

There really is no considerable difficulty in planning the best time to visit Gibraltar. This country has a pleasant climate like its neighboring country of Spain. However, Gibraltar’s special location along the Mediterranean coast makes it quite more appealing than most cities in Spain up north.

This country becomes a favorite vacation destination for the British expats because of its less hostile weather. Apart from the friendly atmosphere, Gibraltarians have a friendlier treatment towards the Englishmen that has defended them for many centuries. Although the climate here is warmer, the people’s collective deference for Spain is another story.

Gibraltar’s sense of independence is so strong that oftentimes their animosity towards mainland Spaniards could have violent consequences. For safety purposes, it is not always advisable to enter Gibraltar’s northern borders via on foot or taxi ride during night time. (more…)

22 Dec 2013

Geneva’s Secrets: Get To Know Them Before 2014

Author: Jeremy Albelda | Category: Switzerland | Tags: Europe, Geneva, Outdoors, Parks, Switzerland

Geneva is a spectacular city situated at the foot of the Alps, along the banks of Lake Geneva. Not only is it one of Europe’s most visited cities, but it is also the home of the United Nations. Famous for its diversity and tolerance of different cultures, it has become the playground for the rich and famous, and because of its status as a tax haven, millions of people flock there every year for its amazing selection of luxury stores. If you’re thinking about visiting Geneva next year, here are some of the best attractions you simply must experience.

Jet d’Eau de Geneve

This is one of the most iconic monuments in the city, with the water founding shooting water over 140 meters into the air! Funnily enough, it was never meant to be a water fountain. Originally it was a security valve at the city’s hydraulic power station. Engineers were forced to install the valve due to too much pressure being placed on the system, and this marked the birth of the spectacular fountain. Soon enough, the water feature became a tourist attraction, and the valve was moved nearer to the lakeside. Since its opening in 1951, the Jet d’Eau de Geneve has poured over 500 litres of water every second into the sky, at over 100 miles per hour!

The Reformation Wall

This wonderful feature is a monumental homage to the Protestants that reformed Europe, and it can be found in a beautiful park near to the Place de Neuve. John Know, Theodore de Beze, Guillaume Farel and Jean Calvin are carved into the wall, and along the sides are the people that carried the Protestant reforms throughout Europe. The motto for the Reformation Movement was ‘light after darkness’, and this can be found carved into the wall too.

Geneva’s Parks

There are a number of fantastic parks in Geneva, and you could easily lose track of time wandering through them. Not only are they a great place to bring the kids if you’re holidaying with your family, but many of them offer amazing views of the city, as well as the Alps.

If you’re into mountaineering, the Alps are pretty close to the city, just remember to pack your boots…

The Palais des Nations

The Palais des Nations is the diplomatic centre of Europe, and it also represents Geneva internationally. This huge structure was built between 1929 and 1936, and it has been the headquarters of the United Nations ever since the body was created. Over 25,000 delegates from countries all over the world pass through this building every year, and the Palais des Nations is home to countless pieces of artwork too. Open to tourists every day, it is an essential architectural must-see when visiting Geneva.

Mont Saleve

Nick-named the city’s ‘local mountain’, this amazing natural attraction is very accessible by car, and the view from the top is phenomenal. There are countless activities for children, and lots of nature to discover too. From rock-climbing to paragliding, Mont Saleve is a hotspot for adrenaline junkies, and in the winter you can even ski here!

If you’re planning to head to Switzerland, it would be smart to do some research on translation services in Switzerland to get your important documents translated before your travels.

04 Nov 2013