Scandinavia: that little bit further up, that little bit more mysterious, that road slightly less travelled. For those who summon the gumption to venture north to more intemperate climes, Sweden is a must. Its rewards lay out in abundance: one of its chief selling points, its capital. There is just so much to do in …
Things to Do in Beyoğlu Istanbul, Turkey For the first timer, or even the consummate return visitor, Istanbul’s endless sprawl and depth can be an overwhelming experience to take in (this “Like a Local Guide to Istanbul” can help though). The history alone of this one-time Roman, Byzantinian, Latin and Ottoman capital is a colossal …
Unlike France and the relatively proximate nations of the Mediterranean, Germany is not traditionally known for its cutting-edge cuisine. Meat in tube form, pork knuckle and vast quantities of bier remain some of the more enduring gastronomic icons that the Germans have spared upon the world (not necessarily a bad thing either). However, in 2015, all …
There’s no city on earth like Lisbon. To feel the vista of sunset drizzling over terracotta tenements and the Pombaline rococo of the old town; to husk over cold cerveza in the dulcet twilight of the banks of the Tejo as the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge blends into nightfall; to dip bread into plates …
When it comes to popular north German destinations, Berlin certainly hogs its share of the attention. Yet to visit Berlin alone would mean ignoring the multitude of equally fascinating locations near and around. One of the more impressive is much closer than you’d think, a conveniently short U-Bahn ride from the capital itself. Welcome to …
It’s one of those crisp, grim Berlin days, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve walked into a refrigerator as soon as you leave the front door. I’ve decided to take a walk down Sonnenallee (sun alley) in the Neukolln neighbourhood, a busy strip lined with Turkish doner restaurants, Arabic groceries and Internet cafes. …
Of all Europe’s capitals, Berlin is one of the most geographically unique in that it doesn’t have much of a city ‘centre’. In its day, cutting the city down the line, the Berlin Wall created two separate hubs, depriving the reunified modern capital of an organic ‘downtown’. While a ‘centre’ has developed since the reunification …
On a chilly December night I laze under the terrace awning of a café by the cobbled Place de la Contrescarpe, staring across to the mouth of winding, fairy lit Rue Mouffetard. There is the musty scent of Gauloises in the air, hot café, the literary spirits of yesteryear lingering in the amber washed night …
Cafes, bars and restaurants continue to sprout out of Berlin’s gentrifying neighbourhoods like spargel in the summertime. Kreuzkölln, the apex of gritty Kreuzberg and Neukölln, and its surrounds, remain a lure for Berlin’s flock of international émigrés, students and creatives. It’s no secret that the borough offers some of the best and cheapest options in …
Greek Island tourists are perhaps traditionally attracted to the volcanic vistas of Santorini, party-infused hedonism of Ios, and the ancient feel and uninhibited style of Mykonos. No doubt about it, these places afford a great time, but in the pace and action of the glossy draw cards, it’s not a bad idea to save …