by Roy -

This article is written by Justin Rabindra. Justin is a Manager with an Advertising Agency in Delhi. He is also an avid traveler and photographer.

The first thing that strikes you when you see the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle in the distance is why you haven’t seen any pictures of these amazing architectural wonders because for me they are up there with The Eiffel Tower, Tower Bridge and the Empire State Building. Prague itself competes with Paris for its classical beauty and romance. It is one of the cities that were thankfully not ravaged by either world war. I remember seeing an old war photograph showing German troops riding into the city on motorcycles with sidecars and the Charles Bridge was identical to what it is today, except that it was black and white.

Justin Rabindra

30 Oct 2008

http://justinrabindra.blogspot.in/#!http://justinrabindra.blogspot.com/2008/10/first-thing-that-strikes-you-when-you.html

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 259 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Shivya Nath. Shivya is an India-based writer who loves to seek out offbeat travel destinations that few have been to and fewer have written about.

Whoever says a traveling vegetarian couldn’t survive in Western Europe obviously isn’t one. Get ready to take your vegetarian taste buds on a wallet-happy gastronomic journey through Europe.

1. France

I’m vegetarian: Je suis une végetarienne

It’s probably harder to survive if you don’t speak French than if you’re vegetarian in France. There’s a boulangerie (local bakery) around every corner, even in the smallest of towns, and the breads will leave you drooling. Despite being the night person that I am, I woke up deliriously happy in the early mornings, only to stuff myself with the best breakfast in the world. If you manage to get past the Croissant obsession, surrender yourself to the delicious vegetarian Paninis and Baguettes, typically filled with feta cheese and fresh veggies.

2. Italy

I’m vegetarian: Sono vegetariana

Italian Pizza with Funghi Porcini

Italy is a natural heaven for vegetarians; half a menu in any restaurant is filled with vegetarian pastas and pizzas by default, and you can’t not fall in love with them. Think melted cheese, homemade pastas, indigenous pesto, finely sliced fresh veggies, olive oils…

And even if you’re full to the brim, you must stay for dessert. The Italians take their hot chocolate literally.

3. Austria

I’m vegetarian:  Ich bin Vegetarierin

One of the best pastas I’ve had outside of Italy, at a small cafe in Innsbruck. Handmade spinach pasta.

You could be sitting in a cafe in Innsbruck, having German beer, Italian pasta and French pastries. The lack of distinctly Austrian vegetarian food is more than made up for by the sheer variety of neighboring cuisines.

4. Germany

I’m vegetarian: Ich bin Vegetarierin

Spatzle. It’s better than it looks!

Meat-loving Germany is the first country other than India, where I found a vegetarian burger at McDonalds! If you’re looking for something more authentic, order a Spatzle anywhere you go; it’s a homegrown version of soft egg noodles. And if you’re in need of a healthier, refreshing alternative to beer, try the homemade Spezi.

5. Amsterdam

I’m vegetarian: Ik ben vegetariër (though it’s safe to assume that everyone speaks & understands English)

You probably wouldn’t bother with food in Amsterdam, but when hunger hits you, stop by at the multitude of international restaurants; Indian Chinese food at the ‘Chinese’ takeaways, Falafel Kebabs at Donor Kebab stalls, Pesto Veggie sandwiches, Italian pastas, Mexican nachos. It’s some of the best vegetarian food I’ve ever had, but there could be other reasons for that.

Shivya Nath

28 July 2011

http://theshootingstar.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/vegetarian-food-in-europe/

Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 243 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Sathish K, a Software Professional and travel writer, based in Bangalore.

From Innsbruck I take the evening train to Wien. On the train I meet a student of Wien University who happened to be flipping through pages of lonely planet book. Under impression that it was for Wien I enquire to learn that it is for South India a journey which is under plan for them. Me being an Indian and a South Indian I share my knowledge about this beautiful country. And goes the conversation for few hours till we reach Wien.

At the station my host picks me up and we walk down to the place.

Its pretty easy to travel around in Wien also. Most of the touristic spots are located in the 1st district.

On the first day I walk around the 1st district for 6hrs stopping at spots like Parliament, History Museum, SchornKirch. I paid 10euros for walking inside the History Museum which had a wonderful tagline “We don’t have emperors, We have only their jewels”.

The entry fee looked pretty high for me and so I stayed away from other museums, tho I dont think I missed much.

I complete almost 3/4th of the tour when I reach the river Danube. I spend about 1hr along the river side without doing anything. Some other time I would have thot why am I wasting time but here I was on vacation and had liberty to do what I wanted to do without thinking about work or anything else.

Then I walk along the river check out some clubs and then feeling hungry walk over to “Der Wien Deewan” restaurant. This restaurant is very unique. They serve Pakistani/North-Indian curry (3 varieties of chicken & 3 veg). You can take the curry with as much rice as you want. The concept is very simple “Pay as you wish”. How much ever you eat, whatever you feel like paying pay. This was started by a Pakistani who married an Austrian and settled in Wien. This is a definite must for whoever is touring this city.

On the second day I dont do much. Later in the afternoon, I meet two guys Dirk and Nick who are travelling around the World on their motorbikes. They, my host and me we have lunch and then some photoshoot time and then some conversation with the bikers am off to take the train back to Frankfurt which ends my vacation.

Sathish K

17 Apr 2008

http://sathishk.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/vienna-wien-austria/

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 232 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Sathish K, a Software Professional and travel writer, based in Bangalore.

After the Heidelberg bridge across Neckar if you still keep going down towards end of town, you will find water flowing with strong currents. I was wondering why the currents are high in this area You will not find anything out of ordinary here. The towns look the same as in other places over Neckar.

There is just one iron based long cylindrical object which causes such currents. At the other end of bridge you would notice two sets of three gates. Turn around and you will find a board on the wall. This is Hydro-electric power project by Neckar AG. started in 1991.

Why are there three gates parallel to each other. These are for the boats and ships to pass through the river. The boat crosses one gate and second gate. Now, they need to stop between the second and third gates.

Water is pumped in between the two gates so that the water level is same as the river on the other side.

One the level is reached the third gate is opened and the boat passes through. There is one guy manning the gates from the shore.

Pretty interesting how well managed it is. More photos later after uploading them.

Sathish K

8 July 2009

http://sathishk.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/heidelberg-germany/

Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 230 user reviews.

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by Roy -

The Routemaster design adds a hop-on hop-off platform at the rear, in addition to front and side passenger doors.

London’s iconic double-decker buses have gotten an update that looks uncannily like the past.

Seven buses with an open hop-on hop-off platform at the rear hit downtown streets on 20 February, running on route 38, between Victoria Station and Hackney, an east London neighbourhood.

Between the 1950s and 2000s, royal red double deckers sported distinctive open platforms in the rear. But in 2005, authorities took that Routemaster model out of service, replacing it with versions that only have an entrance at the front.

The city also added so-called “bendy”, or articulated, buses, because they could carry more passengers, thanks to hinged midsections. But locals loathed the replacement vehicles. A common complaint was that the extended length of the buses snarled traffic on many narrow, twisting streets. So the city pulled that design off the streets in 2011, leaving regular double-decker buses in service and shipping the bendys off to other cities in the United Kingdom that have more spacious streets. Officials then ran a design competition to see if a better bus could be invented. The design that won, by Thomas Heatherwick and Wrightbus, restored the open rear platform.

The revived Routemaster design adds a second staircase to speed up passenger movement. It also claims to get a low 12 miles to gallon thanks to energy efficient engines and interior-heating systems. That efficiency means it produces 40% fewer emissions than the current double deckers, which run on diesel.

The success of this design depends on the outcome of this spring’s mayoral election. If candidate Ken Livingstone defeats current mayor Boris Johnson, he may kill the new Routemasters, which are Johnson’s pet project and cost about £1.3 million each, significantly higher than more prosaic models. A Johnson victory, on the other hand, may mean that hundreds of the buses are put into services within the next few years.

In the meantime, original 1950s buses with the open platform in the rear are still in service on parts of route 9, running between Trafalgar Square and Kensington, and route 15, running between Trafalgar Square and Tower Hill. Check the Transport for London website for route maps and schedules that say “heritage”.

21 Feb 2012

http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20120217-londons-iconic-buses-are-back

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 225 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Sathish K, a Software Professional and travel writer, based in Bangalore.

Formerly West Germany capital and one of the cities along the Rhine river, Bonn is small and beautiful city. Its a long journey from Heidelberg. Apparently last saturday 4th Juy happened to be a music festival in Bonn. Its one of biggest open air music fests in Germany. In the train there are all these people from all over making lot of noise, dancing, singling. Well, its so much fun but not possible to join them due to communication problems.

After spending some time inside the main areas of the city I take a space for the night in Max Hostel @ Maxstrasse. Its easy to find this place. 25euros for the night.

Later we walk towards Rhine river and spend sometime sitting on the grass and relaxing muscles. Before feeling its time enough to get moving to the festival.
I was not able to understand what the band was singing or announcing but the music was good. And the mood was ecstatic. There were so many people all over. Was there till hunger overcame the thirst for more music.

There is nice Italian restaurant “Vapiano“. The system in this restaurant is amazing. Once you enter they give you a card which looks similar to ATM card. You go to the food counter swipe the card and order whatever you want. Now they give you a small circular object. Pick it up find a place for yourself. Once what you have ordered is ready, the light in circular object starts blinking. Pick up your food. When you think it is time to leave, give the card to cash counter. They tell the amount to be paid, pay it and leave.

Next day I again spend some time by Rhine river side and some time up the City Memorial Center before catching the train back to Heidelberg.

One can also do hiking on the mountains, maybe that can wait for next time.

Sathish K

9 July 2009

http://sathishk.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/bonn-germany/

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 201 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Danielle Sharma.

Well we are now in Ekaterinburg. 2 hours ahead of Moscow. Quite a big city and our first real stop off on the trans-siberian route.

Ekaterinburg

Had a good time in Moscow – it has snowed a bit over the last few days which is how you imagine Moscow should be! Red Square was just beautiful – especially at night. We did a lot of walking so feel like we saw a lot of the city. The diet has deteriorated though – we have resorted to fast food several times now but there really aren’t that many options!

The journey here was amazing (I can already tell I will be over-using that word on this blog!). It was a real snow storm as we waited at Moscow train station. As we left the city there was more and more snow on the ground and pretty soon there was nothing around us at all. In fact there was nothing more than really small towns of shack-like wooden buildings until we got here. And we were on the train for about 26hours!! The landscape is beautiful though. So flat and bleak. The amount of snow outside varied as we went along but there was quite a lot at some points – those tiny wooden houses must get completely buried. It’s hard to imagine what life must be like so cut off from the rest of the world. It’s strange because it’s really warm on the train so you’re in your t-shirt looking out at the snow.
Being on the train is funny – its weird being so close in such a small carriage with complete strangers. especially when you can’t communicate with them at all! We were with a man and a woman this time. It’s just a tiny cabin with 4 beds – two bunks on each side. Not much room to manoeuvre though! Seemed like everyone else had meals included but we didn’t so we lived mainly on the provisions we had with us – there is a hot water supply (samovar) so you can make hot drinks and cup-a-soups and instant noodles. we have loads of dark choc digestives too! Steph came out with a classic quote when we were sitting munching on them looking out over the land “You’d really feel you’d contributed something to the world if you had invented these… Such a fantastic biscuit.” They say train travel encourages profound thoughts!

The train is great fun – Sanj me and you would have loved it when we were little, running around exploring! Its more like being on a ferry because you get really settled in – change into pyjamas and flip flops and you can walk around all through the train. The journey goes really quickly. sleeping is really nice with the motion of the train. we had some food in the restaurant car which wasn’t too bad. Everyone else on the train so far has been Russian. People seem to find us quite amusing wherever we go! I think it’s because we look quite young – like we’re runaways or something. Whenever the train stops all these local people – mostly quite elderly people come running up to the train trying to sell things. it’s quite a chaotic scene and they are trying to sell really bizarre things (maybe things that are produced on that town) like huge vases and chandeliers.

Anyway. We are back on the train tonight. This place has been a weird experience. We arrived about 8pm local time with no accommodation booked but we’d read about a few places so headed to the one which sounded like the best option for us. Picture us trekking loaded up like donkeys with our bags. Anyway finally found it but it has now become a swanky hotel. Next place we tried was full and it was dark by this point. next place had rooms but was quite expensive again so we carried on looking for a while but in the end had to give up and go back to it. It was splashing out a bit for us but we couldn’t wander the streets forever! So we just enjoyed it and had baths a good sleep and a really nice breakfast! it was like pretty woman! don’t think there are any hostels here because no one comes here! there is nothing to do! we’ve been here all day and just wandered around! the sights took about half an hour to see. we’re starting to think maybe there;s a reason most people don’t stop off much on this route! Its quite funny being in such random places though. i’m sure we’ll never forget them. next stop (just 1 night again) in krasnoyarsk will be the same i think. nice to break up the journey though.

anyway this is turning into quite an essay so i’ll stop, hope you are all well – keep in touch! xxxxx

Danielle Sharma

8 Apr 2011

https://www.beentheredonethat.in/wp-admin/post-new.php

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 185 user reviews.

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by Roy -

This article is written by Shantanu Ghosh.

Some of you have been amused I could actually write three posts on Vienna without describing its food in some detail. Actually, I was saving the best for the last! Vienna has much to offer the foodie, more so if you love meat and have a sweet tooth. During my week in this lovely city, I sampled every local delicacy I could find. Between the evenings of fine dining, gourmet coffee at Vienna’s famous cafes and the local desserts, there was enough to keep me content. And of course, there was that evening in an underground wine tavern.

First, let me cover fine dining in Vienna. Armed with recommendations from colleagues who have lived in this city, I ended up in a restaurant that dates back to 1933. A Michelin recommended restaurant, Drei Husaren is located within a block of the famous St. Stephens Cathedral. Started by three hussar-officers, this restaurant changed hands multiple times during its long history. What did not change is its reputation as one of more interesting Viennese restaurants in the old Imperial district.

As you enter the restaurant, the warm colors, paintings of old maestroes and period furniture all contribute to setting the mood. Service is formal but impeccable. Fresh bread and a variety of herb butter spreads arrived as we perused the wine list. We finally settled for an Austrian Pinot.

I started with the Boletus Soup. This mushroom soup, made from the seasonal Porcini and topped with Cappuccino foam with slivers of mushroom, was served in a glass. The soup was highly flavored, served at just the right temperature, and was among the best soups I have tasted. What a great beginning to the meal!

A pianist played compositions of the many local greats, we moved to our entrees. They had charged us €5 per person for the live entertainment, but the pianist was gifted – this was Vienna after all!

For my entree, I chose the Escalope of beef with crisp onions, Viennese-style sauteed potatoes and gherkin. This was another winner. Chewy, but in a good sort of way, and the meat went very well with the deep fried onion.

For dessert, I selected a pancake, The Three Hussars, stuffed with walnuts, and topped with chocolate and strawberry sauce. They also had a Cheese Torte on their menu.

By the time we finished dinner, we had sampled two different reds, both local Austrian wines. While Austria doesn’t export much, they have a vibrant wine culture. In fact like the beer pubs in London and Germany, they have Wine Bars here. Austrians also drink a cider made from a mixture of apples and pear (or only pear). Vienna is the only place – outside India – where I have seen rock sugar offered after dinner with the cheque.

The Drei Husaran is an excellent choice for a special evening in Vienna. The location, the atmosphere and the food are all excellent, as is the service.

Konig Von Ungarn, Schulerstrasse 10

My other fine dining experience was on my final night in Vienna. This time we dined at Konig Von Ungarn at Schulerstrasse 10, just behind the St. Stephens Cathedral. Again, a restaurant steeped in history (this hotel dates back to 1746), orange walls, vaulted ceilings, wrought iron adornments and crystal chandeliers – all of which made for a great ambiance. Dignitaries from St. Stephens once used this place as a guesthouse and horse stables. Of course, these royal visitors also appreciated good cooking. Also, just above this hotel is an apartment where Mozart once lived and composed some of his famous music.

Potato Goulash with grilled turkey sausages

This time, I started with a Potato Goulash with grilled turkey sausages. Please note they also have an interesting hors d’œuvre trolley from which you can select too. I have noticed that goulash is a safe choice in Vienna – I have never been disappointed and tonight was no different. The breads here come with butter and peppers!

Grilled Variation of Fish with truffle oil sauce and almond butter rice.

For my entree I selected the Grilled Variation of Fish with truffle oil sauce and almond butter rice. This dish contained three types of grilled fish – pike, perch, salmon. I loved this dish. The fish was fresh, it was fun to taste the different fillets on the plate at the same time. The sauce complimented the fish and the almond butter rice was wonderful too. All of this with a locally grown ruby red Cabernet Sauvigon that went well with the entree

I chose a Dessert Sampler that had a pudding in vanilla sauce, a chocolate soufflé, and coffee ice-cream with apricot jam. During desserts, they wheel another trolley, this time with a variety of brandies and other digestifs.

At the Konig Von Ungarn, food was good and the ambiance was excellent, but the service was somewhat lacking; the staff was friendly but they kept mixing up the orders. Among the two places I have reviewed here, I would rate the Drei Husaren higher for this reason.

Incidentally, if you enjoy dessert wines, you must try the Austrian Kracher. This wine is made from Welschriesling grapes, which have nothing to do with Riesling, and Chardonnay, which are unusual in a sweet wine. I enjoyed this revered wine, of all places, on my return flight on Austrian Airlines!

Shantanu Ghosh

7 Sept 2008

http://www.shantanughosh.com/2008/09/foodie-in-vienna-part-i.html

Average Rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 199 user reviews.

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by Roy -

Spinnaker Tower – England

Spinnaker Tower is a 170-metre (560 ft)–high landmark tower in Portsmouth, England. It is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which was supported by a National Lottery grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection of concepts. The tower, designed by local firm HGP Architects and the engineering consultants Scott Wilson and built by Mowlem, reflects Portsmouth’s maritime history by being modelled after a sail. After several years of delays and cost overruns, it was opened on 18 October 2005.

Structure

The tower, at a height of 170 m above sea level, is 2 1?2 times as high as Nelson’s Column, making it the tallest accessible structure in the United Kingdom outside London. The tower is visible for miles around Portsmouth, changing the horizon of the area. It can be seen from the Isle of Wight, and even the Manhood Peninsula.

The tower represents sails billowing in the wind, a design accomplished using two large, white, sweeping steel arcs, which give the tower its spinnaker sail design. The steelwork was fabricated by Butterley Engineering. At the top is a triple observation deck, providing a 350° view of the city of Portsmouth, the Langstone and Portsmouth harbours, and a viewing distance of 37 kilometres (23 mi). The highest of the three observation platforms, the crow’s nest, has a wire mesh roof, allowing visitors to be in the elements. Windows extend to above head height, so it is not possible to get a view unobstructed by glass. The glass floor is the largest in Europe. The tower has a design lifetime of 80 years.
The design is similar to the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, whose structure is a little less than twice as tall at 323 metres (1, 060 ft).

Source: Wikipedia

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 272 user reviews.

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by Roy -

What do Guimarães in Portugal and Maribor in Slovenia have in common, apart from that most people cannot find them on a map? This year, the pair of cities share the title of European Capital of Culture.

The medieval city of Guimarães was made a World Heritage Site in 2001.

More than 40 towns and cities have held the honour since Athens was named the first European Capital of Culture in 1985. Selected by an international panel of cultural experts, the aim of the title is to bring different European countries closer together by highlighting the diversity of their cultures.

Castelo de Guimaraes

Despite being often overshadowed by Oporto, just 30 minutes to the southwest, it makes sense that this year the committee selected the burgeoning cultural scene of Guimarães in northern Portugal. With around half of its inhabitants under age 30, Guimarães is one of Europe’s youngest cities, both in age and spirit. A boom of contemporary culture in recent years has revived its medieval streetscapes, a World Heritage Site since 2001.

Now the year-long European Capital of Culture program is set to bring even more life to Guimarães. The rich repertoire of events ranges from music, cinema and photography to fine arts, theatre and dance. More importantly, a crop of new openings, sparked and partly financed by the program, is about to give a further boost to the city’s cultural landscape.

Centro Cultural Vila Flor (CCVF) 

Centro Cultural Vila Flor (CCVF) kick-started the city’s cultural revival when it opened in 2005 in a striking modern building added onto a converted 18th-century palace. Events at this culture powerhouse include movie screenings, cafe concerts, theatre and art exhibits. This year, as part of the European Capital of Culture program, CCVF will present the second edition of GUIdance (1 to 11 February), an international dance festival showcasing major contemporary dance companies such as Belgium’s les Ballets C de la B, who are slated to open the festival with the world premiere of their new work, Au-delà.

The Center for Art and Architecture Affairs,  Guimarães

The Center for Art and Architecture Affairs, unveiled in October 2011 in a former textile factory, is the latest opening in Guimarães. The non-profit collective promotes interaction between various fields of creative expression, including visual arts, design, film, literature, media, performing arts and architecture. Upcoming events on the European Capital of Culture program include a conference focused on the work of John Cage (10 March to 28 April) and Frame Art,  a video art and experimental cinema festival (3 May to 8 July).

Plus there is more in the pipeline. Opening in March in a run-down part of town called Couros (named after the area’s once flourishing leather industry) is the Design Institute, a partnership between the municipality, the University of Minho and Portugal’s National Design Association. Its inaugural exhibit, part of the European Capital of Culture program, will focus on product design, specifically the relationship between traditional products and contemporary design.

Another notable opening this year, scheduled for June, is the Platform of Arts and Creativity in a former market, a multipurpose space dedicated to arts and various creative endeavours. It kicks off with an exhibition by Portuguese painter José de Guimarães, with pieces from his private collection of pre-Colombian, African and Chinese art.

José de Guimarães

The same month will see the opening of the House of Memory, located in an old plastic factory right next door to the Platform. This cultural institution will host an interactive display composed of memory-laden personal items donated by the people of Guimarães. It is designed to tell and preserve the history of the common people, an admirable effort in this world that forgets and changes so quickly.

Anja Mutic

11 Jan 2012

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120111-guimaraes-culture-boost

Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 282 user reviews.

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