Lisbon is a great city that has undergone significant regeneration and investment over the years to make it one of the first choices on the European city break trail.

The city is filled with history and tradition, from visiting St. George’s castle, to partying the night away to the sounds of Fado in Bairro Alto.

However, redevelopment has also seen a massive variety of fashionable international bars and restaurants pop up around the Parque das Nações area, the site of the 1998 Expo. 

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Calling all party animals: if you can’t live without good music, funky people, great atmosphere and you need something new? I know just the place…. Rotterdam- a city with an amazing club scene!  The DJ names on the club line-ups are top class and the best parties in Holland are held in Rotterdam.

Plus, there are lots of places to hangout before you hit the clubs. Delftshaven, Veerhaven and Westelijk Handelsterrein are only a few of the harbour areas where you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants and bars to choose from. And the food! Whether you like Dutch, French, Chinese, Moroccan or Turkish you can get reasonably priced meals before your big night out. And then finally, choose your club, get your clogs on and leap into the great night life of Rotterdam.

Find the best hotel deals to Rotterdam in Hotelopia’s special page.

I love The Hague! It has all the best things for a quick gateway. I definitely recommend a visit to the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis. The large art collection by Dutch painters such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, Paulus Potter or Jan Steen really is something else! After a great portion of art, I head to the miniature city Madurodam to learn more about traditional Dutch buildings and landmarks dotted around the country.

One of the things I love about The Hague is that it’s by the sea. There is nothing better than sight- seeing during the day and then chilling out in one of many beach fronted bars where, you can even take the sofas from a bar and put them on the sand and listen to the rustle of the sea. Or if you still have some energy, have a long stroll along the coast to the main pier for a fresh fish dinner in one of the many nice restaurants. If you fancy something exotic for supper, The Hague is a perfect location and even the biggest food fans will be spoilt for choice.

Another place to visit is the Binnenhof – the centre of Holland’s political life and the official seat of government. Plus shopping in The Hague is world- class! The city has the most amazing shops: from affordable superstores to exclusive designer boutiques. Shop till you drop and enjoy The Hague! That’s what I do.

Find the best hotel deals to Holland and The Hague in Hotelopia special page.

In Copenhagen, the city hosting the Climate Summit, there are more bikes than inhabitants. Fifty percent of the population in the centre of the capital of Denmark uses this form of transport to get to work. Just before a new Xacobeo or St. James Holy Year is about to begin, a good option for travelling along the St. James’ Way could be on a bike. Bicycles are as much a part of life in China and Holland as rice and tulips. More and more travellers are choosing to tour the world pedalling along on two wheels. Bikes are also starting to fill up the popular places we visit. Towns and cities are becoming more bike-friendly. When you are planning your next trip, why not consider travelling by bike? This might mean having to change your normal way of doing things, to take on new experiences and discover places in a completely different way. It also means having to consider a few logistical aspects, but nothing so complicated that it should make you want to change your mind. For example, we recommend that before you embark on your adventure; ensure you know how your bike needs to be checked on to a plane, in case you will be flying. Conditions may vary, especially depending on the airline, as well as the airport. Don’t forget to take a wrench to remove the pedals and the handlebars (it is probable that you will have to do so at some stage during the trip). Also ensure that you can take the bike on board a train, as space may be limited, depending on the train’s itinerary or the time of day. And the most important thing, of course, is to make sure you have an enjoyable trip.

Santa Claus, like the Three Wise Men, is the perfect guest. He comes once a year for a visit, he never shows up without being invited and he always brings fabulous presents with him. Even though this year he will surely pay us all a visit as well, wouldn’t it be fun to take up his invitation and go to see him at his house? I’ll bet the little ones in the family would love the idea. Santa Claus lives in Lapland, a few kilometres from its capital, Rovaniemi, an ideal city to lodge in. In Santa Clause’ village, as you would imagine, there is a post office where they receive all the letters that are sent from little boys and girls all over the world. You can also have a look around Santa’s workshop and meet his little helpers, the elves. Of course you will also want to see the reindeer, which are grazing out in the snow and getting ready to pull the sled. They say that there are more reindeer than people in this part of the world. A visit to the Santa Park could serve as a perfect excuse to go beyond the Arctic Circle, to discover this part of Finland and its amazing nature attractions. In the winters, it is likely that you will see aurora borealis displays. There are also lots of activities to enjoy: from rides on sleds that are pulled by a team of sled dogs to relaxing moments in a sauna or a Finnish massage at the hotel.

Visiting Rome at any time throughout the year is like taking a journey through time. It doesn’t matter if you stroll through the centre or the outskirts; you are bound to come across incredible monuments and works of art: the Coliseum, the Fontana di Trevi, the majestic Papal Basilica of Saint Peter, the marvellous Sistine Chapel…
If you decide to visit Rome at Christmas, you will discover that this a European city that maintains its traditions by holding the typical Christmas Market in the Piazza Navona, as well as the multitude of nativity scenes and mangers that you can admire throughout the city: Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Termini, Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Sala Bramante at the Piazza del Popolo… the most impressive one however, is the one that has been set up for many years at Saint Peter’s Square…
If you would like to experience a really authentic, traditional Christmas, come to Rome and you will be delighted.

Don’t miss it!

Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is located in St. Peter’s Basilica and it is one of the places you must see if you go to Rome. It is known throughout the world for being the venue for the election of the new pope in a conclave and for capturing all the splendour and spirit of the Renaissance, with its renowned frescoes Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment, among others. There are 4 different itineraries in the Vatican museums with which to visit the Sistine Chapel, or you can go directly to the Chapel and avoid the crowds.
Where: Viale Vaticano
Tel: (+39) 06 6988 49 47
Timetable: Mon-Sat 8:45am-13:45pm

St. Peter’s Basilica
Saint Peter’s Square is a breathtaking sight for all travellers visiting Rome. The square is made up of two rows of colossal Tuscan colonnades that frame the entrance to the beautiful basilica. Famous artists such as Bramante, Rafael and Michelangelo all participated in building it, although Michelangelo is considered to be the mastermind behind it, especially as he designed its majestic dome. Its spectacular interior was decorated by Bernini and Giacomo Della Porta. We recommend going up into the dome to see Saint Peter’s statue, one foot of which is largely worn away from pilgrims kissing it for centuries. Don’t forget to also visit the papal tombs in the Vatican Grottoes.
Where: Piazza San Pietro
Tel: (+39) 06 6988 1662
Timetable: 7am-6pm (Apr-Sep until 7pm)

Roman Coliseum
The Roman Coliseum, which can seat up to 50,000 spectators, was originally an amphitheatre where the Roman public was entertained with battles between gladiators, wild animals and slaves. The outer wall is composed of three levels of arcades. It has suffered extensive damage with the passing of time, after having been left without care in the past. When you enter into its interior, you will be able to truly observe this grandiose monument and to travel back in time as you view the areas where the slaves were kept before they were released to the lions.

The Pantheon
The Pantheon is a building that dates back to Ancient Rome, which remains in relatively good condition, whereby allowing us to imagine how it used to look in the past. The Pantheon is a temple to all the gods and it has the largest dome in the world. This dome has a 9-metre central opening (oculus) that allows in natural light, as well as symbolising the union between the temple and the gods above. If you are in the Pantheon and it happens to start raining, you can watch the raindrops float down in perfect circles from the oculus and splatter against the marble flooring. The Pantheon contains the remains of the artist Rafael.
Where: Piazza della Rotonda
Timetable: Mon-Sat: 8.30am-7.30pm/ Sun: 9am-5.30pm
Phone nº: (+39) 06 6830 0230

Bocca della Verità
The famous Mouth of Truth is an enormous disk in the form of a mask, which is situated in the atrium of the Church of St. Mary in Cosmedin. According to the legend, it was said that if you put your right hand in this mouth and tell a lie, the mouth will close and you will not be able to withdraw it. Some even claim that the priests used to put scorpions inside it to perpetuate the myth. It is quite well-known, as it appears in several movies such as Roman Holiday, in which Gregory Peck pretends he loses his hand.
Where: Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 18, 00186 Rome

Where to eat

Osteria Der Belli Restaurant
This restaurant is located in the Trastevere, one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Rome, which is not as well-known as others. This restaurant is a simple, family-owned Osteria, which is run by two very friendly brothers, with an interesting menu and a good wine list. The prices are very reasonable, not at all expensive and its specialities are pasta and fish. It has a terrace for outdoor dining right in the square.
Where: Piazza S. Apollonia, 11, 00153 Rome
Tel: (+39) 06 5803 782

Vegetariano Il Margutta Restaurant
This vegetarian restaurant is very close to the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. It is an excellent option if you are in the area, for a bit of a change from pasta. This restaurant offers a wide range of very imaginative dishes. We recommend that you call first to make a reservation.
Where: Via Margutta, 118, 00187 Rome
Tel: (+39) 06 3265 0577

Cafetería Tazza D’oro
This traditional café in Rome makes a splendid cappuccino and after enjoying one, we are sure you will agree that it was one of the best you’ve ever had. They also make an excellent iced coffee with cream. It is very close to the Pantheon; it’s on one of the streets that branches out from the square, leaving the Pantheon behind you.
Where: Via degli Orfani, 84 (Pantheon), 00186 Rome
Tel: (+39) 06 6792 768

Hosteria Ulderico
This is a family-owned Roman Trattoria that is a real treasure. Its dishes are made using traditional Roman recipes, with a wide variety of pasta, rice (risotto), together with fish or meat for the main course.
Where: Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, 106, 00184 Rome
Timetable: Mon-Fri: 12pm-3pm and 7.30pm-10.30pm/Sat:12pm-3pm
Tel: (+39) 06 7046 0935

Hostaria la Piazzetta
Hostaria la Piazzetta is a restaurant situated on a medieval side street near the Roma Termini train station. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the staff is very pleasant. The dishes are delicious and quite varied; be sure to order the antipasti and the sweets. Try the rustic Italian dinner and the desserts. We would highly recommend La Crème Brûlé.
Where: Vicolo del Buon Consiglio, 23a, 00184 Roma
Timetable: 12pm-3pm / 7pm-11pm
Tel: (+39) 0669 91640

Shopping

Ai Monasteri
When you enter into this shop you will feel like you’ve gone back in time. It specialises in herbal essences, liquors, soaps, balms, deodorants, anti-aging creams, bath foams and different kinds of brandies elaborated by Italian monks.
Where: Corso del Rinascimento, 78, Rome
Timetable: 9am-1pm/ 4.30pm-7.30pm
Tel: (+39) 06 688 02 783

Piazza di Spagna and its surroundings
The boutiques with the top brands in fashion can be found near the Piazza di Spagna, on surrounding streets such as Via Condotti, Via Frattina and Via Borgognona.

Porta Portese Market
This is one of the most famous markets in Rome, where you are sure to find a bargain. It is also the oldest market in the capital and it is held on Sundays in the Trastevere, starting from 5 o’clock in the morning. This street market is similar to the ones held in Madrid (the Rastro) and in Notting Hill in London, where there are always lots of antiques and falsifications. There are also lots of places to get a bite to eat while you are wandering through the market. Be very careful with your possessions, as there are many pickpocketers around this market. If you go on the underground, get off at the Coliseum and then catch a bus to take you there.
Where: Viale Trastévere
Timetable: Until 1:00pm

CastelRomano Designer Outlet
This is an outlet shopping centre in the south of Rome. Here you will find all the top brands in clothing, footwear and accessories with products from previous seasons at prices reduced from 30 to 70%. To get there using public transport, take line B on the underground to Laurentina Station. When you come out of the underground, there is a COTRAL bus that goes to Pomezia, Latina or TorVajanica. Ask the bus driver if the bus stops at CastelRomano. You need to get off at the Via Pontina stop and the outlet is then a 10-minute walk away. We recommend you catch a taxi from the Laurentina stop.
Where: Via Ponte di Piscina Cupa, 64, 00128 – 13 Km from Rome
Timetable: Mon-Thurs: 10am-8pm /Fri-Sun: 10am-9pm Tel: (+39) 06 5050 050

Going out at night

Nightlife in Campo dei Fiori
The area of Campo dei Fiori in Rome is a good place to go out for a drink. It is full of restaurants, pubs and a few nightclubs. It has a great atmosphere and you can find people there of all ages. The most fashionable bars are: el Drunken Ship, which is right in Campo dei Fiori and is always full to overflowing, and the mojority of the crowd is in their 20’s. Spirit is quieter and has a minimalist decoration. Another option is the Shanti, which serves exotic teas and is also much quieter.

Going out in the area of Trastevere
This is one of the most beautiful and bohemian neighbourhoods in Rome. In Rome, the typical thing to do is to go out for dinner and then have a drink at a bar or an outdoor café. This area offers a wide variety of dining options and a number of small bars to go afterwards for a drink.

Bar Le Sorelle
This bar has a great atmosphere and is a good option to go for a drink after dinner. Here they play live music on Fridays and Saturday.

Nightlife in Testaccio – Matattoio
There are lots of bars in the area of Testaccio. This is the typical area of Rome where the locals and the people who live there go out. There are also many restaurants in this area.

Events

Nativity Scenes in Rome
During the Christmas season, the city of Rome becomes filled with Nativity Scenes that attract crowds of visitors. Some of the most well-known ones are the nativity scenes outside St. Peter’s Basilica and the one in the Piazza Navona, which, although it is much smaller, is delightful to see. The Sala Bramante, situated in the Pizza del Popolo, holds a large exhibition of nativity scenes. It is interesting to see how some entranceways into buildings have been converted into decorative Christmas displays with their small nativity scenes inside. It is really worth taking a walk around this lovely city to take in its Christmas spirit.
When: From the 8 December to 6 January
Where: Centre of Rome

Christmas Market in Rome
The annual Christmas Market at the Piazza Navona never fails to surprise its visitors. Here you can find all sorts of figures to decorate your Nativity Scene, as well as the typical sweets for this time of year, wooden toys and all kinds of Christmas decorations. You will also probably find some fantastic nativity scenes set up around the Piazza Navona, which are really worth taking a look at.
When: From the 8 December to 6 January
Where: Centre of Rome

I am sitting in a tiny café, sipping a typical strong Dutch coffee in the beautiful city centre of Leiden and I finally found some time to write! The last few days have been amazing – I have had a blast here in Holland so far. It started very early and very active last week in Groningen, the northern part of Holland where we decided to go mud flat walking, which is basically going for a hike on the bottom of the sea with low tide.  We walked from the coast all the way to one of the Wadden Islands, Ameland, making our way through salt marches and sand banks while admiring the wildlife (we saw some seals!) and tranquillity, as there is nothing surrounding you but the sea, sand and wind, it was definitely a very unique experience that I would recommend to everyone!

The next day we took it a bit easier after our work-out the day before and we visited Stavoren, the oldest city of Friesland. We walked around in this tiny, picturesque city with its many sailing boats and then thought we could not leave Friesland without being on the water and embarked on a sailing trip on the Frisian lakes, we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful nature that is prevalent there. For dinner we decided to go to De Librije, a restaurant that has been awarded with three Michelin stars. The food here is so delicious, I could not get enough!

When in Holland, do not miss Utrecht! This city in the middle of Holland, has lots of students, (meaning it is full of life) and you have a guaranteed great night out there in some of the really nice pubs along the medieval canals.

You cannot leave Holland without seeing some of the traditional icons, so we headed toward the western part of Holland and drove around the colourful bulb fields and visited Kinderdijk, where 19 windmills are standing close together.

And now I am in Leiden and just did some shopping here. Tonight we will visit The Hague to visit Het Nederlands Dance Theater, the best of contemporary dance in Holland. Before heading back tomorrow we will visit the Vermeer centre in Delft and paint our own porcelain.  What a great end to a great week here in Holland!

Whant to visit Holland? Please enter our special landing page.

Next… Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam.

This month, we’ve selected Almeria in Spain as Hotelopia’s destination of the month.

Read more about the southern tip of Spain, as well as our great hotel offers in and around the region. All this information and more will be included in our newsletter.  Click here to subscribe.

So what’s so great about Almeria?  Almeria boasts more hours of sunshine per year than anywhere else in Spain. In fact, you can easily visit in February or March, find a sunny spot and strip off to your bathers to catch some rays. And since, this is Spain’s most southerly tip, it’s easy to find your own piece of beach paradise on the hundreds of kilometres of glorious coastline.

What’s more, this is the perfect place to see lasting impact the once ruling Moors had on the region. Everyone’s heard of the Alhambra in Granada, but Almeria is home to the equally stunning Alcazaba, an imposing Arabic fortress which stands boldly on the coast.

Add to this Almeria’s desert-like and cactus filled landscape and you’ll think you’re in Arizona than anywhere in Spain. The region has provided a location for various blockbuster movies and spaghetti westerns, which also makes this a great place to learn or to go horse-riding – Yee-ha!

Spain remains the top destination this summer for customers booking hotels on Hotelopia and in spite of the recent ETA explosions, Majorca remains top.

So leave prepared and learn a few phrases of essential Spanish, courtesy of Hotelopia, to ensure you get the most out of your holiday.

“Una cerveza por favor,” or one beer please is probably the phrase most used by tourists within minutes of touchdown.   And when you’ve had one too many, just ask for “la cuenta” or the bill.

When you’re going out for food and you’re vegetarian, you’ll need the phrase “soy vegetariano” (or “soy vegetariana” if you’re a girl).  But since the Spanish add ham into just about every dish (including salads), you may want to say, “no puedo comer carne” (I can’t eat meat). That may suggest some kind of food allergy, and to avoid a hospital incident the waiter may just make the effort to let the chef know.

Another popular phrase is “no hablo español” or you don’t speak Spanish which will be immediately apparent when you look at who you’re speaking to with complete confusion.

And if you’re a girl and want to fend off the advances of a Spanish lothario, you may want to say “tu puta madre”, which literally means that you’ve just described the guy as offspring of a prostitute.      Do not confuse this with the compliment “puta madre” which means that something’s fantastic!  Also words like “cabron” and “coño” also work wonders, but they’re far too rude to translate here

All if this leads you to be in the bad mood  or “tener mala leche” refer back to the first phrase, “una cervesa por favour” and the world will feel right again.  Just watch out for the “resaca” (or hangover) the next day.

To learn more essential holiday Spanish, visit the BBC Language website, where you can also get lessons in Italian, German, Greek and Portuguse among others.

For cheap hotels to Spain, book with us directly www.hotelopia.co.uk
For cheap flights, book with the world’s favourite orange airline www.easyjet.com

Barcelona, Spain’s Catalan capital sits comfortably as one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations and we’ve made it Hotelopia’s destination of this month.
Wander down La Rambla, Barcelona’s most famous and elegant avenue, where you’ll find not just the greatest selection of shops, bustling markets, but also Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
Alternatively visit the spiritual home of Spanish football (according to Catalonia at least) at Barcelona FC’s Nou Camp Stadium, or soak up some awesome architecture including possibly the world’s most famous “unfinished church,” Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia.
What’s more, when you’re seen enough of the sights, then head to the beach. Barcelona is included on the golden stretch of sand, which stretches right along the east coast of Spain, making a visit here, not just an exciting city destination, but a potentially relaxing beach break.

Check out our printable travel guide to the city with suggestions of things-to-do and see, places to eat, where to shop, as well the hottest nightlife spots.

Plus we’ve included deals on the very best city centre hotels, which includes the four star Evenia Rossello Hotel, available from just £80 per night.  Read the reviews from customers who have already stayed here – the comments are glowing.

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