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As the history fan approaches the port of Naxos Town standing on deck the ferry, he or she will rejoice: it can already be seen from a distance that nearly 2000 years of history represented by some stunning monuments, can easily be explored and enjoyed within walking distance of each other. Sure, some legwork is required, but it is not too strenuous as opposed to other Greek islands and, as Naxos according to mythology is the birthplace of Dionysos, many lovely bars, cafes and restaurants invite to recharge batteries during the walk.

Cafes in the old part of Naxos

First on my Naxos sightseeing schedule was the Portara which is also the trademark of Naxos. The monumental gates stand on a tiny island connected to Naxos town and the port by a causeway. Built in the 6^th century BC the gates are thought to have belonged to a temple to Apollo which however was never completed. Stone blocks from the unfinished temple were transported and used for other buildings but the gates were just too massive to be moved, so, they still dominate the view and are a must see. t

Portara - gates to the Apollo temple

Be careful though especially if a strong meltemi is blowing which is often the case in summer, I nearly got blown off the causeway but then I weigh only 48 kilos. Waves are crashing against the seawall on either side of the causeway and count on a – rather refreshing – sea water shower on your walk across. The views down the steep cliffs are nearly as amazing as the sight of the gates themselves.

That's what's along the causeway!

Having it made across safely, I had my first refreshment stop in the beautiful café which is tucked in a sheltered niche of the causeway.

Back in Naxos harbour, I made my way along the waterfront and then turned left towards a sign indicating the Old Market. It’s really one of the many access roads to the castle of Marcos Sanudo which is the other trademark of Naxos. Built in 1207 it marked the beginning of the rule of the Venetians over the island which lasted until 1564 when it was conquered by the Ottomans.

Marcos Sanudo's Venetian castle

Exploring the castle and in fact the entire Venetian settlement which covers the hill is a truly unique experience and one of the best things to do in Naxos. It’s uphill but not very steep and broad stone steps make it easy. The Old Market has a lot of wonderful shops, some souvenir, but some with amazing artwork, paintings and antiquities. Much of the way you walk through a tunnel which gives shelter from the summer heat.

Entrance to the Old Market

At every twist and turn Venetian houses with their low entry ways emerge, all inhabited today and many of the mini mansions still in possession of the successors of the original Venetian owners.

I would have loved to visit the Venetian museum, but unfortunately I was too late. Make a note that museums are closed on Monday and on the rest o the week close at 3pm. Some do not open later, but the Venetian museum re-opens at 7.30pm. You can also admire the house of Marcos Sanudo himself, a church at the very top and simply enjoy one fabulous view after another. What I found particularly appealing is that this historical site is not a ‘site’ at all but a richly inhabited part of Naxos town where more than a few studios and apartments are for rent.

I arrived back down on the other end of the promenade where you find a café which offers the richest and most sinful ice cream dishes I have had in a long time.

A well deserved ice cream at the end of the day trip

Like many parents, we’re constantly dragging our children along to art museums. And like many parents, we are accustomed to groans of  “Oh no, not another museum!”

Museums are starting to realize the importance of courting their future visitors and, as parents, it’s nice to see how many art museums have started to put together age-appropriate information and activity guides for children.

The Van Gogh Museum (on the left), with the Rijksmuseum in the background

One small museum that gets it right is the Vincent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Chances are, Van Gogh admirers would take their kids along on a visit  to this excellent museum anyway, but it’s even nicer to know that parents can request the activity guide to make their visit more enjoyable for young children.

Wheatfield with crows, 1890

The activity guide was filled with interesting information and asked children to record their observations about certain artworks and about Van Gogh’s shifting techniques, his use of thick brush strokes and his preference for vibrant colours during his years in southern France.

The bookshop sells an excellent publication for children, Vincent & Theo: Brothers in Art. It is geared towards elementary school and middle-grade readers and chronicles Van Gogh’s struggle as an artist and the special relationship with his brother, Theo.

So on your family visit to Amsterdam, my European travel tip would be to take your kids along to the Van Gogh Museum as it’s a very child friendly Amsterdam attraction.  They will be certain to enjoy it as much as you do.

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Fridays it has extended hours, 10:00-22:00. Adults are 14 euro, children and teenagers under 18 are free.

The French island of Corsica is said to be one of the best places to visit in Europe for diving. Partly because the island is also renowned for its golden sandy beaches and crystal clear, blue sea. In striking contrast to this stunning coastline, the island’s interior has some rugged mountains that provide wonderful and picturesque settings for everything from hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking, to rafting and kayaking.

Golden, sandy beaches and crystal, clear seas by pimousse

While the Island offers numerous opportunities for various sports and outdoor activities, there is something for everyone. Here is my list of five of the best attractions in Corsica.

Bring a flashlight.  Or if you don’t bring a flashlight, be sure to bring change so you can pay to use one.  I didn’t.  Instead, I stumbled around an underground casemate trying to use my cell phone for light.  It wasn’t the best way to see what was otherwise an incredible exhibition.

Under Kronborg Castle, in Helsingør, Denmark are the casemates (protected gun positions in a vaulted chamber beneath a defensive wall).  In those casemates you will learn the Danish history of Holger Danske.  A legendary character who is said to rise up and protect Denmark when the country finds itself in danger.  It’s a great story and one that has prevailed for several centuries.  So much so that one of the largest resistance movements in Denmark during WWII was called Holger Danske.

Early on in the casemates, a statue of Holger Danske greets you.  It is an impressive statue and sets the tone.  The rest of the casemates though takes some exploring.  And you are free to explore nearly everything and everywhere.  Use your flashlight.  Not just to keep you from stumbling, but to read what is written on the walls.

Facts about Denmark, the Holger Danske legend, the WWII resistance line the walls of the casemates.  Not every wall.  That would be too easy.  And not nearly as fun.  Instead it becomes almost a sort of scavenger hunt as the flashlight guides you through Danish resistance history.

Be warned, it is dark down there.  It is damp down there.  It’s even a bit cold down there.  And having grown up with two brothers, I am well aware that there were plenty of places to hide to scare my siblings.  Keep that in mind if traveling with young children.  Aside from that, the casemates at Kronborg Castle are one of my favorite places to visit in Denmark and a great Helsingor sightseeing attraction.

If you plan to stay in Helsingor, you can find the best deals on hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

The border town of Berwick upon Tweed lies three miles south of the Anglo-Scottish Border on the River Tweed Estuary. It lies in between Edinburgh, 60 miles to the north and Newcastle upon Tyne, 60 miles to the south. If you’re driving, the town is bypassed by the A1. Berwick upon Tweed lies on the East Coast rail line and can be reached in four hours from London, two hours from York and less than one hour from either Newcastle or Edinburgh.   I’ve listed the Berwick upon Tweed hotels by how close they are to the town centre.

Berwick upon Tweed

The Kings Arms Hotel is right in the town centre, close to the intact Elizabethan town walls and the river side.  It would take around 15 minutes to walk here from the rail station. There are several pubs and restaurants within walking distance.  You can walk to the start of the pier in 10 minutes.  The hotel offers standard and superior rooms, a suite and a family room.

The hotel doesn’t have its own car park, there’s pay and display parking right outside the hotel which is free after 5.30pm and until 9am in the morning.  If you can’t find a space here there’s a large pay and display car back at the riverside.  The Kings Arms Hotel scores an average 72% in guest ratings based on 70 verified reviews.

The Queens Head Hotel is a couple of hundred metres down from the Kings Arms Hotel, closer to the town walls and the riverside and on street parking. It’s a small hotel with 6 ensuite bedrooms which all have wifi free of charge.

The hotel achieves 85% in guest ratings, based on the average of two unverified review sites.

The Berwick upon Tweed Travelodge is situated in the far north of the town close to the A1 roundabout.  It’s next to McDonalds (handy for free wifi and a cheap breakfast) and Morrisons supermarket.  It takes around 20 minutes to walk into the town centre but maybe longer to get back as it’s slightly uphill.

The Travelodge may well be the cheapest Berwick upon Tweed hotel if you book well in advance and outwith peak season you can find rooms from £19 a night (room only) on the saver rate and family rooms sleep up to 2 adults and 2 kids.

Marshall Meadows Hotel, the most northerly hotel in England, lies a couple of miles north of Berwick upon Tweed down a driveway off the main A1 dual carriageway. You can access the North Sea coastal path from near the hotel.  You’d really need a car to stay here.  The hotel has a selection of types of rooms including premier rooms, a suite and a family room.  There’s free wifi in all rooms.

I had Sunday lunch here a couple of years ago and the food was excellent and good value.  The Marshall Meadows receives an average guest rating of 82% from 114 verified guest reviews.

If you’ve stayed at a Berwick upon Tweed hotel, please leave a comment giving your opinion of it.

Venice is one of those Europe destinations that nearly every tourist wants to head to, and usually I try to avoid these places – but Venice is special. My most recent trip to this beautiful city was just for a long weekend and I almost left without taking the obligatory Venice gondola trip.

No gondola ride in Venice? It’s a sin! Initially I thought I would try and skip what I saw as a tourist trap, but then as I walked alongside the canals of Venice and saw people floating along in shiny black gondolas I started to get jealous. That’s why I spent a Sunday morning down in front of Piazza San Marco asking around for prices. It was pretty early in the morning and few tourists were around, so a number of the gondoliers were standing around with nothing to do.

Prices varied dramatically at this time of day but eventually an entrepreneurial gondolier offered my friend and I a forty-five minute ride for 60 Euros, much less than half the price most of them were quoting. It was well worth it – one of those experiences you reminisce about later. Basically, I’d say if you want your Venice gondola ride, go for it. My Europe travel tip is to try to avoid peak tourist times and be prepared to haggle to get the lowest price.  But don’t miss out on one of the best things to do in Venice.

If you’re planning a trip to Venice,  use the price comparison search box below to find the best price for your accommodation in Venice.

Salzburg, the Austrian city famous for its Alpine setting, attracts a large number of tourists each year. Here are my four Salzburg sightseeing tips.

• What is the Sound of Music? As much as the city is famous for its “Sound of Music” backdrop, most Austrians have never seen the movie and therefore are not in a position to answer your questions on the movie locations. Avoid the expensive guided tours proclaiming to show all the attractions featured in the movie – plan to explore them yourself.

• Mozart balls, anyone? Buy Mozart kugels (Mozart balls – named after the city’s most famous son and gifted composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) from any of the grocery stores, avoiding them completely at souvenir shops.
• Where is the shade? The sun can be quite punishing in the summers, specially if you are climbing the Hohensalzburg Castle. Always carry your water bottle, sun glasses and an umbrella. Keeping yourself well hydrated in the summer is the key to a great Salzburg experience.

• Is there a Salzburg beyond Mozart? Be sure to explore the city beyond Mozart and the Sound of Music. Salzburg with its picturesque countryside and natural beauty should be seen without any prejudices. Take a salt mine tour or discover the hiking paradise that Salzburg is, through its many hills like Mönchsberg and Festungsberg.

If you’re planning a visit to this Austrian city, you can find the lowest prices for hotels in Salzburg using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

The Maksimir Park is the largest green space in Zagreb city. It is named after Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac, the man who was first responsible for establishing the park in 1794. At the time the park was set up it was on the outskirts of the city, today it is part of suburban Zagreb.

This Zagreb attraction has always been a very popular stop in the city; it’s my Zagreb travel tip for this week.

Photo By ruscca

A Green Space – Maksimir Park is a much loved urban escape. It is a sprawling green complex with nooks and corners, lakes and walkways, benches and trails. The traffic sounds coming in from the park boundary are dulled by the thick tree cover and flowing water, ensuring peace and quiet. This Zagreb park is located right opposite a large football stadium, which hosts local and international football events as well as concerts. At such times the thousands of spectators also use the park as the perfect waiting area, both before and after the events.

A Running Track – Maksimir Park is very popular with joggers, runners and even cyclists as the park provides a safe, continuous, and picturesque track. People come in from all over the city to take advantage of this very setting. The park is well connected by the local tram service (take tram no.11 from the Main Square to the Park).

A Pleasant Coffee Break – Maksimir Park is a great coffee place. There are several cafes within the complex that serve good coffee and even better views. If cafes aren’t your thing, find the closest ice-cream vendor and head to an empty bench.

The Zoo – The Zoo is a more recent addition to the Park, and is very popular with young families. There are a number of large (lions, bears, cheetah, bison) and small animals, including endangered species. Of particular interest are the feeding sessions; the sea lion feeding time usually draws quite a crowd. Entry to the zoo is from within the park; tickets (30 Kuna) can be purchased at the zoo entrance.

Photo by Landii

Holiday Concerts – During the summer months (particularly Saturdays) and on bank holidays the park hosts small music concerts. These concerts are free and can be enjoyed by everyone. For more information about the park and the park’s events calendar for the park, head to the information centre located in the Gatekeeper’s cabin, close to the park entrance.

If you’re planning a trip to the Croatian capital, you can find the lowest prices at hotels in Zagreb with the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

One of the more unique parts of Seville is in one of its oldest neighborhoods – the Barrio Santa Cruz.  While the area is now a refreshing getaway from the rest of the city, it was once a thriving Jewish neighborhood in the city.

When the Muslims were finally expelled from Spain, the Jews thrived in this area of the city.  The area included a synagogue, family houses, and narrow streets which became a neighborhood unto its self.  In 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain and the neighborhood went downhill and was renewed in the 18th century.  One of the former synagogues was converted into the Church of Saint Bartholomew and this area lost some of its Jewish history.  While the area is thriving once again, many symbols of this Jewish neighborhood are no longer visible to tourists.

Walking the streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz, you see a part of the city that is different than all of the rest.  The neighborhood consists of narrow alleys, winding streets, little plazas (squares), and orange trees.  The small alleys were designed to maximize the shade in the city as the small alleys are a little cooler than the rest of the city.  Orange trees provide shade and color to this neighborhood as the winding streets provide a maze of narrow houses and alleys to explore.

The old city water pipes are a part of this neighborhood and exploring the many little squares gives you some insight into its history.  Little streets open up to plazas which seem to come out of nowhere.  Enjoy tapas and restaurants as you walk among the white-washed houses, peering into the gardens visible from the streets.  Plaza de la Santa Cruz contains an old church (where this neighborhood gets its name) and synagogue while Plaza de los Venerables has bars and terraces.  Explore all the different plazas and see what the area has to offer.

The neighborhood is close to many other parts of the city including an entrance to the Murillo Gardens of the Alcazar.  However, exploring the neighborhood of the Barrio Santa Cruz is a step back in time and a fun walk through a historical part of this city, so it’s a worthwhile addition to your Seville sightseeing.  Winding your way through, enjoy the many plazas, the gardens and trees, the beautiful white-washed houses, and the narrow alleys.

While visiting the Barrio Santa Cruz is an interesting stroll through this part of Seville, it’s design, alleys, and beautiful make it a nice way to cool off in the hot summer heat of the city.

If you’re planning a visit to the city, you can find the best deals at hotels in Seville using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Paris is a truly amazing European city.  I’ve collated tips of the best things to do in Paris, written by members of the Europe a la Carte blog team, to help you plan your Paris trip.  If you think that you’ll visit several Paris sightseeing attractions, you should look into buying a Paris Pass which includes admission to over 50 museums and monuments, a public transport travelcard, a Paris city tour and River Seine cruise.

Best Paris Views

Neha asserts that the view from Tower Montparnasse at dusk is one of the best Paris views.

View from Montparnasse tower over Paris by Neha Puntambeka

Kimberly thinks that the view from the Notre Dame towers over Paris, framed by the gargoyles which line the towers, is unrivalled.

View from Notre Dame over Paris by chuck624

Best Paris Walks

Thomas tells how he chanced upon a mile long nature trail walkway, along a section of the Petite Ceinture, a disused railway line near central Paris.

Petite Ceinture, Paris by boklm

I reviewed the Paris Movie Walks guidebook which details various routes along which you can visit locations used for film shoots in Paris.  If you’re a movie buff, you’ll love doing these walks.

Canal St-Martin, location from “Amelie” by hydraulix16aa

Best Paris Attractions

Neha enjoyed her walk around the cobblestoned paths of the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, a free Paris sightseeing attraction.  It’s the burial place of several well known figures such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and the French singer, Edith Piaf.

The grave of Édith Piaf, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris by Donna Rutherford

Best Paris Museums

Jeremy recommends visiting the Musee Rodin, where you can admire Rodin’s sculptures both inside and in the lovely garden.

Crouching Woman by Auguste Rodin in Rodin Museum garden, Paris by H Barrison

Amanda is a fan of the Musee d’Orsay, she thinks if you only have time to visit one Paris museum,  the Musee d’Orsay may be a better bet than the Louvre.

Musee d’Orsay by dalbera

Best Paris Cafes

Sian rates Cafe Marly, which lies at the edge of the Louvre courtyard, as her top Paris cafe.

Cafe Marly at the Louvre by wolfiewolf

Best Paris Pastries and Confectionery

Andy names his three favourite Parisian pastries shops.  Talk about sweet temptation.

Parisian pastries by Let Ideas Compete

Sian was enchanted by both the interior and the contents of the A la Mere de Famille confectionery shop, established in 1761.

A la Mere de Famille, Paris by Sian Meades

Best of Paris for Kids

Thomas has plenty of ideas for things to do with kids in Paris including Parc Asterix, Cirque de Paris and Parc de Buttes Chaumont.

Parc Asterix by blondetpatrice

I hope that this post has given you some ideas for great things to do in Paris and helped clarify which Paris sightseeing attractions will be on your itinerary.  You can find the best deals on hotels in Paris on the HotelsCombined price comparison site, which searches through more than 30 accommodation sites to find the lowest prices.

Your Tips

If you have any tips on great Paris sightseeing attractions and the best things to do in Paris, please leave a comment.

Nic Julian of Gap Daemon tells us that Montmartre is great for a walk if you stay away from the main street leading up to the Sacré-Cœur (full of tourists and thrift stores). Good view from Sacré-Cœur too, as you know.

The Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg are also great if you want to get away from the busy streets of Paris and just enjoy a relaxing walk.

I could probably go on for a while, so many great places in Paris…