Amsterdam in the Spring
The days are drawing out, the weather is getting warmer and the spring bulbs are starting to peep through. Time to turn off the central heating, pack away the fur coat and rediscover the world beyond your four walls. Ease yourself gently into spring with an invigorating short break in Amsterdam, one of the most civilised and easy-going cities in Europe. And there’s never been a better time to visit, thanks to the recent introduction of a high-speed integrated train service from London via Brussels, taking you straight to the heart of the action in around five hours.
Amsterdam’s compact, pedestrian-friendly city centre makes it a perfect place to explore on foot and, with over two-thirds of the city’s hotels centrally located, you’ll be able to make the most of your time. A wide choice of hotels in Amsterdam can easily be checked out in advance and booked direct, while inclusive weekend packages take the hassle out of travel arrangements and offer good value.
Amsterdam is first and foremost a city of art and culture, with many world-famous museums to choose from. One of the absolute must-sees is the Van Gogh Museum, which houses around 200 paintings and hundreds of drawings by the ear-chopping tortured genius and his friends, but be prepared to queue, as visitor numbers are controlled. Rembrandt is another famous son whose work is celebrated in a dedicated gallery; at the Rembrandthuis you can admire almost every etching he ever made, as well as watch etching demonstrations and examine some of his quirky personal possessions. The Rijksmuseum houses one of the finest art collections in the Netherlands and, although it’s closed for renovation until 2013, many of its most famous masterpieces are currently on display in the Philips wing of the building. Afterwards, take a stroll around the lively Museumplein, where you can soak up the sun in summer or go skating on the frozen pond in winter.
Amsterdam’s famous cafe culture has to be experienced to be believed. ‘Bruine’ (or ‘brown’) cafes are cosy drinking holes rather like London pubs and many, such as Hoppe on Spuistraat, have remain virtually unchanged for 300 years. If you prefer to keep a clear head for your sightseeing, steer clear of the jenever (Dutch gin) and head for the sun-drenched riverside terraces and cake counters of Café de Jaren on Nieuwe Doelenstraat.
Shopping is a must for any visitor to Amsterdam. From elegant department stores such as De Bijenkorf on Dam Square to the funky individualism of the boutiques in the Negen Straatjes, a rabbit warren of narrow streets in the canal district, retail temptation lies around every corner! And temptation of a different kind lies around every corner of the infamous red light district, De Wallen, another of the city’s must-see tourist attractions, where you can admire the typical buildings of the old town, many of which have been converted in recent years from brothels into ateliers for artists and fashion designers.
As the sun goes down, head for the canals, where you can take a dinner cruise under the illuminated bridges and relax in the convivial hospitality of this charming city.
New England – History Around Every Corner
After the excitement of Super Bowl XLVI, many people are curious to find out more about the home of the team that got narrowly beaten by the mighty New York Giants. New England is best known for its spectacular fall season, when visitors come from all corners of the world to admire the rainbow-hued autumn foliage, but why not dodge the crowds and head off instead for a spring break to the land of the Patriots? Check out cheap flights to Boston, grab a hire car and follow in the footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers.
New England, so named by the first English settlers who founded a colony at Plymouth in 1620, lies at the extreme north-eastern corner of the USA and comprises the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The first port of call for most modern pilgrims is beautiful, historic, libertarian Boston, home to ancient academic institutions, world-class cultural centres and cutting-edge architecture. The English had their butts well and truly kicked at the Boston Tea Party, but nowadays the welcome is a whole lot warmer. Get a speedy first impression of the city with a hop-on/hop-off trolley tour, allowing you to see the sights in the order of your choice and at your own pace.
Portland, the biggest city in Maine, is a laid-back, bohemian gem whose cultural and social life revolves around the restored old port and waterfront. The Old Port Street Festival on the first Sunday in June features a variety of music stages, a parade, children’s entertainment and a host of stalls selling all kinds of delicious local food. The Portland Museum of Art is housed in a building designed by world-famous architect IM Pei and features the work of iconic American artists such as Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth, Georgia O’Keefe and the Maine-born Winslow Homer.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in America, but its 400-mile coastline boasts some of the best beaches in the north-east. The old seaside town of Newport contains many fine colonial buildings and magnificent mansions dating back to the days when it was a favourite haunt of the Vanderbilts and their friends. The resort is also known for its world-famous jazz festival which has been held every summer since 1954 and its younger sister, the Newport Folk Festival, which celebrated its half-century in 2009.
Lovers of the great outdoors should head for New Hampshire, whose motto is ‘Live free or die’. This state of towering mountains, sweeping valleys, forests and lakes has inspired artists and poets including Robert Frost and has formed the atmospheric backdrop to many of John Irving’s best novels. The rugged White Mountains, part of the Appalachian range, offer exciting opportunities for skiing, hiking and kayaking while, for those who prefer to do their sightseeing with a pedal beneath their right foot, the range is crossed by Interstate 93, among other routes. The Appalachian Trail, which starts in Maine and passes through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut on its way south to Georgia, is a gentler way to discover the undimmed natural beauty of New England – fall or no fall.
Living in a suitcase: the hotels of Germany
Big country, wide choice, loads to see – I’ve spent a LOT of time in Germany and it’s hard to know where to start. That’s the problem with Germany, but it’s a good problem, because the solution is to plan more visits! And with some great hotel deals and cheap flights on offer right now, there’s no time like the present to start planning!
Cologne is a short hop from London via Eurostar and the German high-speed network, and there’s no better way to arrive in the city than by train, catching a breathtaking first glimpse of the majestic Gothic cathedral whose twin spires dominate the skyline. Don’t waste a minute of sightseeing time – check into the Hilton, just metres from the station in the heart of the old town with its famous shopping streets and lively restaurant quarter on the banks of the Rhine.
The grand marble lobby of the Steigenberger Park Hotel in Dusseldorf is a throwback to the elegance of the past in one of the most modern cities in Germany. High ceilings, antique-style furnishings and old-fashioned personal service come as standard, alongside 21st-century essentials such as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, cable television and Wi-Fi. If you’re on a flying visit, the deceptively luxurious Van Der Valk Airport Hotel is close to the Kunst Palast Museum, City Hall and the landmark Rhine Tower, which offers impressive panoramic views of the city from its two restaurants.
Hamburg is a fascinating city of contrasts, from the fleshpots of the Reeperbahn to the grand boulevards of the old town and the atmospheric waterways of the warehouse district. Embrace the differences by dividing your stay. The family-friendly A&O Hamburg Reeperbahn is right on the doorstep of Beatles Platz and the lively bars of the St Pauli neighbourhood, where nightlife-lovers rub shoulders with football fans. Taste life on the other side of the city – literally and metaphorically – at the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski, the last word in old-style opulence spectacularly situated on the Outer Alster River just a few blocks from the art museum and national theatre and celebrated for its gourmet seafood restaurant.
Berlin is also famously a city of two halves, still separated – although no longer politically – by the beautiful Tiergarten park. Explore its historic heart from the 5-star luxury of the world-famous Hotel Adlon, overlooking the iconic Brandenburg Gate, then max out your credit card in the designer boutiques and KaDeWe department store on the doorstep of the funky Art’otel Ku’damm, which has original artworks in all the rooms. Take a short ride to Potsdam, home of kings and kaisers, and soak up the palatial atmosphere of the Romantik Hotel Am Jaegertor, an easy walk from beautiful Sanssouci Park and the notorious Glienicke Bridge, where captured spies were exchanged during the Cold War.
There’s more to Munich than beer, of course, but no visitor to this fun-loving, free-wheeling city in the temperate south of Germany should leave without sampling at least one of its famous brews. After you’ve hit the hofbräuhaus, sweat it out in the sauna before sleeping off your hangover in 5-star comfort at the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, which occupies the 19th-century former headquarters of the Royal Bavarian Post Office.
History is around every corner of Nuremberg, and this charming, compact and laid-back city provides a welcome contrast to the breakneck pace of Munich. History has even seeped into the walls of the Hotel Drei Raben (Three Ravens), where many of the rooms are themed with stories, characters and legends of the city. Book into the Beautiful Fountain room, read about the legend and then visit the fountain itself in the market square to turn the ring and make a wish! If it comes true, you might be back on your next German city break sooner than you think!
Welcome to Istanbul! Where East meets West
A holiday in Istanbul is an opportunity that has much to offer, from variety and excitement to relaxation and fine dining, there is something for everyone in this beautiful city.
Istanbul, a city rich in history, stands at the meeting place of Europe, Asia and Africa, cradling the 3 cultures. Because of this rich history, there are diverse attractions for visitors here making it a prime location for Turkish holidays.
Those looking to immerse themselves in the wonders of the city can pick and choose from our many Istanbul holiday deals. So what can you expect from a trip to Istanbul? One good way to start your holiday would be to stroll through the Grand Bazaar. Known to be one of the oldest markets in the world, the Bazaar has been a destination for travellers for hundreds of years. Between the 61 streets and 4,000 shops you may have trouble finding your way out of this incredible shopping maze! Shops large and small, from antique to modern commercial brands, and simple household items to lavish golden jewellery line the streets, providing the perfect place to combine a cultural excursion with good old holiday souvenir shopping! If this isn’t enough to satisfy your cultural taste buds, then a visit to the Spice Bazaar surely will! Originally the trading ground for spice sellers from around the world, the smells from this market will certainly give you a flavour of the exotic.
If your appetite still isn’t quite satisfied, some of the many traditional restaurants and cafes around the bazaar will cater to your needs. Taste Turkey’s famous coffee and delights such as baklava in their home country. Istanbul’s dining establishments cater to a wide range from the high end of fine dining to homemade specialities craved by tourists and residents alike. Sultanahmet Köftecisi holds an indisputable place in traditional Turkish cuisine, while the beautiful Terrace restaurant overlooking the marvellous Sea of Marmara and the lavishly decorated Ottoman Restaurant with its 19th-century Ottoman palace design are just a few of the better places to savour the unique taste of Turkey.
One of the special things that sets an Istanbul holiday apart from other city breaks is that Istanbul is a compact city where you don’t need to travel far to enjoy the diversity and variety on offer. Try to visit a selection of the city’s many attractions: the Zeyrek Mosque overlooking the impressive Golden Horn port has been hosting traders for centuries, there’s the imperial majesty of Topkapı Palace, and of course the fantastic Panorama 1453 Historical Museum, which presents a 3D version of the conquest of Istanbul – you’ll be ducking and diving from Byzantine and Ottoman swords and spears with the best of them – the kids too!
If all of this sounds far too much to handle, don’t forget that one of the must-have delights of Turkish tourism is the Turkish bath. The city offers some of the finest in the world. No doubt about it, a Turkish city break is a city break like no other.
