Rome in February

Modern and old, past and present go side by side, all the time. Whether you are in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be prepared to step into the world's biggest open air museum.

Rome is one of world's most photogenic cities - not surprising when you remember what's here - The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter's Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum...an the easiest and probably cheapes way is using the Roma Pass. (it's the perfect way to get around Rome and see all the sights, saving both time and money) What’s included:

• Free entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel - plus a free audio guide for St Peter's Basilic
• Free entry to your choice of 2 out of 6 top Rome attractions including The Coliseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Capitolini Museums, Borghese Gallery and National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo
• Fast Track Entry to St Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel & The Coliseum - save over 4 hours at each attraction during busy periods
• Free hop-on-hop-off bus tour ticket of Rome for 3 days
• Free travelcard for unlimited access to Rome's public transport system
• Free detailed Guidebook to help plan the perfect trip
• Discounted Entry to another 30 plus sights, attractions and museums in Rome

Enjoy!

Where to eat?

Cantina e Cucina, Via del Governo Vecchio 87 - Great food, nice place, simple and genuine.

Trattoria Frascati, 11 Via di Porta Castello - a great little restaurant for lunch before visiting the Vatican or jumping on on the city-tour bus

Origano, Via Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 25-26 - Lovely atmosphere and staff couldn't have been nicer. Three course menu with red wine and a coffee for 16 Euros. Excellent food!

Bar Brasile, Piazza Venezia 5 - good for a snack and it is brilliant for people watching

Paris in November

Paris - the most romantic city in the world, the art and fashion capital and no wonder also the most visited city in the world.
"You know, I sometimes think, how is anyone ever gonna come up with a book, or a painting, or a symphony, or a sculpture that can compete with a great city. You can’t. Because you look around and every street, every boulevard, is its own special art form and when you think that in the cold, violent, meaningless universe that Paris exists, these lights. I mean come on, there’s nothing happening on Jupiter or Neptune, but from way out in space you can see these lights, the cafés, people drinking and singing. For all we know, Paris is the hottest spot in the universe. - Owen Wilson as Gil in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris". There is nothing more to say..

Where to stay?
Hotel L'Adresse, 22 Rue Du Debarcadere
First of all, if you want a spacious room and tons of light, this hotel is not for you. The elevator is cramped. For the ones still reading this, its a very nice and cosy boutique hotel. The rooms are small, ultra clean, well designed, the bathrooms are great and the bedding is comfy. The staff is always friendly and very helpful. The hotel is near the metro and a small walk away from the Arch and Champs Elysees. Also, plenty of nice restaurants in the neighborhood..
 
Where to eat?
Boulangerie Coquelicot à Montmartre
The bakery/restaurant is so beautiful, I really felt in love with the decoration! The food was fresh and tasty. Really good value for the price in Paris and located on Montmartre.

Cuisine de Bar - This narrow, friendly, and energetic little cafe offers excellent open-faced sandwiches made with big slices of Poilane bread with a selection of delicious toppings. Delicious!!

Le Zinc des cavistes - This bar is a lovely place to hang out at and I highly recommend it. Amazing food, great service and very welcoming staff.

Chez Plume - The most expensive chicken I've ever had. 50 Euros!!!

Enjoy!

New Year´s in Barcelona

Barcelona is an amazing and gigantic city with so much to do that first time visitors can get easily lost.

A lot has been said and written about Barcelona. But no amount of reading ever prepares you for this beautiful, cosmopolitan European city. A true melting pot of history, art, culture, gastronomy and all things modern, Barcelona is buzzing with tourists all year round. A quirky and sophisticated city with near-limitless options for cultural immersion, Barcelona is easy to explore on foot, and almost all of its most celebrated monuments are within walking distance of each another.

The best way to discover Barcelona in a limited and stipulated amount of time is by taking the hop-on hop-off bus service. The blue, green and red lines let you explore the whole city in a go. Depending on the areas of interest you could choose one line or more. Many of these places are covered by all three lines, so you could easily hop-off and hop-on to any line that you wish to travel on. These bus services cost 27 euros for a day pass and it is tottaly worth it.

New Year´s Eve in Barcelona
Eating twelve grapes. Tradition has it that you have to eat them one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on 31 December. What is more, if you manage to eat all the grapes on time, you are in for a year of prosperity and good luck. Everyone is waiting for that moment on New Year's Eve and the striking of the clock is even broadcast live on television throughout Spain. Whether or not you believe in magic, try the experience – it is great fun.

Where to stay?
Barcelo Sants Hotel - convenient located above Sants railway station recently refurbished with a modern space station concept.

Where to eat? ..Tapas..Tapas..Tapas.  :)

Tapa Tapa Maremàgnum
Tapatxi

La Crema Canela

Cervecería 100 montaditos 
Moncho´s

Now just enjoy some nice views of Barcelona..