Today’s sponsored article on Christmas Markets in Germany comes from Travelex Currency Services.*

A Guide to Christmas Markets in Germany

No-one does a Christmas market quite like Germany – and best of all it’s an easy country to travel to. Yet with the strength of the Euro fluctuating against the Pound it’s also advisable to seek the best foreign currency exchange before you go.

Here is just a taste of what you can expect from the German Christmas markets:

Berlin

Berlin is home to more than 50 individual markets, with one of the most famous being the Alexanderplatz market. Here you’ll feel especially festive with the Fairy Forest and an ice-skating rink. If you’re looking for some great traditional crafts and antique toys, consider heading to the Unter den Linden Christmas market, or if a market with a more party atmosphere and some serious shopping is what you require head to the Gedächtniskirche market right in the heart of the shopping, drinking and clubbing district of the city centre.

Munich

The traditional market on Marienplatz in Munich is one of the oldest in Germany, going back to the 14^th Century. It is set up on the city’s largest urban square and offers all kinds of handcrafted items and stunning treats, like gingerbread and roast apples. Another popular Christmas market to head to in Munich is Kripperlmarkt; here you’ll find traditional crafted nativity ornaments. If you really want the best in Christmas decorations this in an absolute must.

Cologne

The charming city of Cologne has a total of seven Christmas markets, with the main four located at Alter Markt, Cologne Cathedral, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz. Cologne Cathedral is a stunning sight and provides the most unique backdrop to any of the Christmas markets in Cologne. Away from the big four there is also a medieval Christmas market held at the Chocolate Museum and an ice rink at Heumarkt.

Nuremburg

Nürnberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of Germany’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets and attracts over 2 million people every year. A chosen ‘Christ Child’ opens the market each year with a huge ceremony which is well worth dropping in for, as is the procession of children walking with lanterns through the town up to the castle. This market has everything you’d want from a Christmas market, such as gingerbread, traditional crafts, gluhwein and bratwurst.

This is just a snapshot of what Germany has to offer in terms of Christmas markets. There are widespread markets throughout the country including Münster, Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, Lübeck, Düsseldorf, Baden-Baden and Aachen to name just a few.

Both the city centre and the nearby Albert Dock area are compact enough to explore on foot, but you need at least two days to see it all properly – with plenty left over for a return visit.

Architecture
From the new Liverpool ONE shopping centre to the immense historic Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool is home to a variety of striking architecture, both old and new. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City is made up of six historic locations including the Pier Head and Albert Dock, incorporating many of the city’s most famous buildings. The most iconic landmark of all is the Grade I-listed Royal Liver Building, a riverside ‘skyscraper’ dating back to 1911, topped by two striking Liver Birds – and still dominating the skyline.

St. George’s Hall is one of Western Europe’s finest examples of a neo-classical building, showing off the wealth of local merchants. But the oldest building is the Bluecoat, built in 1717, with a beautiful front courtyard and internal garden. Today it’s used as a creative hub for contemporary arts, and you can visit free exhibitions or grab a reasonably-priced lunch there, made with locally-produced ingredients. Dotted about the city you’ll find countless other beautiful buildings, including the Town Hall, Bank of England Building, and Oriel Chambers – the world’s first metal-framed, glass curtain walled building.

Live music
Liverpool is also well-known for its thriving live music scene and strong Irish links, and you’ll find free live music in many venues, from traditional Irish folk to contemporary local bands. The Cavern Club, where Epstein discovered The Beatles, is still a live music venue with free admission on many nights – and if you can visit Liverpool during August Bank Holiday, you can enjoy live music at the massive Mathew Street Festival.

Liverpool’s maritime history
The Albert Dock area by the River Mersey is the place to discover more about the city’s historic role as an important maritime centre. By the early 19th century, some 40% of the world’s trade was passing through Liverpool’s docks, contributing to its wealth and status. The docks feature the most extensive collection of Grade I-listed buildings in the UK, including old redeveloped warehouses that today house chic restaurants, boutique shops, museums and galleries, offices and apartments.

The free Merseyside Maritime Museum tells the port’s story, and within this is the International Slavery Museum, which looks at Liverpool’s role in the slave trade and its impact across the world.

For fans of Modern Art, the Albert Dock is also home to Tate Liverpool, which is generally free, and if you’re a fan of the Fab Four, the Beatles Story at Albert Dock is a must – although there’s a hefty entry fee for the pleasure (£12.25 at the time of writing).

Before you leave…

To complete your bargain break in Liverpool, you’ll need to find competitive travel insurance to make sure you’re fully covered while you’re away. InsureandGo travel insurance* offers great value with a choice of levels of cover to suit your needs.

This post on having a cheap weekend break in Liverpool was brought to you by InsureandGo.

Photos taken from Friar’s Balsam & Retrobus

Fun things to do in London: A Mini Cooper Tour

Introducing a fun tour zooming around London with smallcarBIGCITY and their fleet of Mini Coopers.

Hop on in and enjoy!

Mini Cooper & Big Ben: Fun in London

Casa de la Pilatos, Seville

Often overlooked by the rest of the guidebooks, you should definitely add the Casa de la Pilatos to your plans for a weekend in Seville. This beautiful, elegant house, almost hidden in the narrow streets of the centre of Seville, deserves your attention. If you don’t have time for the Alhambra, try out the miniature version here.

Central Courtyard, Casa de la Pilatos, Seville

Casa de la Pilatos - Beautiful!

The United Kingdom has an array of beautiful landscapes which are easy to access by road. Whether you’re a native or a visitor, travel by car to explore the UK’s finest scenic routes.

Scenic Route One: The Atlantic Highway

Drive Through Exmoor - by Gravyphig

The “Atlantic Highway” stretches from Lynmouth to Newquay via Lauceston.

Start in Lynmouth and heading through a section of the Exmoor National Park towards Barnstaple. Exmoor National Park is famed for its walking trails that cover vast areas of open moorland and you may even see wild horses.

After joining the “Atlantic Highway” via the A399 at Blackmoor Gate, you could visit the local zoo. Exmoor Zoo is home to a whole host of different animals including penguins and meerkats (and there’s the Legend of the Beast, which has a dedicated Black Panther enclosure.)

Join the A39, the “Atlantic Highway” itself, and continue from Barnstaple down the coast towards Newquay. Stop off in Boscastle (PL34 0HE), a lovely village whose castle is believed to be the birthplace of King Arthur.

Your journey along the A39 will take you near The Big Sheep (EX39 5AP). This centre is home to a number of activities such as mountain boarding and high ropes, and there’s also the chance to see some edge of your seat action at the local sheep racing circuit.

Detouring to Launceston, you can take a trip on the Launceston steam railway (PL15 8DA), tackle a number of hiking paths or visit a farm park. 

Scenic Drive One

Details for Scenic Drive One

Lynmouth to Newquay (via Launceston.)Distance: 135 miles. Roads: A39, A395, A399. Postcodes: PL34 0HE (Tintagel) EX39 5AP (The Big Sheep) EX31 4SG (Exmoor Zoo) PL15 8DA (Launceston Steam Railway), EX35 6EO (Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway)

Scenic Route Two: Belfast to Derry

Giant's Causeway - by smemon87

Northern Ireland is the home of the A2, which runs from Newry to Derry and passes through Belfast. This route runs alongside the northeast coastline and the picturesque Glens of Antrim.

Along this 128 mile coastal road, stop off at Ballintoy for the chance to walk the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge across a 20 metre wide chasm.

A 20 minute drive east of Portrush brings you to the ecological rarity of the Giant’s Causeway, a collection of basalt hexagonal columns produced by a previous volcanic eruption. This stunning attraction is situated in the Glens of Antrim, where the Bushmills distillery can also be found (BT57 8XH).

Scenic Drive Two

Details for Scenic Drive Two

Distance: 128 miles. Roads: A2. Postcodes: BT54 6LS (Ballintoy, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge) BT57 8XH (Bushmills Distillery)

Scenic Route Three: Conwy to Portmeirion

Snowdonia National Park - by Richard0

The Welsh route from Conwy to Portmeirion takes you on a journey through the Snowdonia National Park. Starting off in Conwy, with the famous Conwy Castle, you’ll pass through some traditional slate villages as well having the opportunity to enjoy Snowdon’s summit, either by sight or through your hiking boots.

Within Snowdonia, you’ll find the village of Betws-y-Coed, a camping hotspot and excellent starting point for your mountain drive. From Betws-y-Coed, Llanberis is only 17 miles away where you can enjoy a 4.7 mile trip to the summit of Mt Snowdon by means of a time-honoured steam train. From the peak, the highest point in England and Wales, you can relax and take in the panoramic views from the Hafod Eryri centre. For adults, a return ticket will cost £25, while a child’s ticket is £18. You can easily opt for a single ticket if you wish to walk part of the distance. A trip to the summit will take around 5 hours, and there are a variety of different routes to get you there, depending on how energetic you’re feeling.

Scenic Drive Three

Details for Scenic Drive Three

Distance: 38.5 miles. Roads: B5106, A5, A4068, A498. Postcodes: LL48 6ER (Portmeirion)  LL55 4TY (Llanberis Lake Railway) LL32 8LD (Conwy Castle)

Scenic Route Four: Glasgow to Inverness

Drive the Loch Ness Area - by conner395

The scenic drive from Glasgow to Inverness takes you through the majestic and timeless Munros. These mountain ranges dominate the Scottish skyline and offer truly mesmerising views. The route also includes the Loch Ness, with a dedicated exhibition centre that explores the legend of the monster (£4.50 for children and £6.50 for adult entry). If you happen to visit during June, be sure to give the RockNess dance music festival a try.

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the largest loch in Great Britain, the stunning Loch Lomond. At 27 square miles (71km²), this loch contains around 60 small islands, including Inchconnachan and its settlement of wallabies.

For water sports, Loch Lomond offers jet skiing, boating and canoeing, whereas for other kinds of driving, try out the surrounding golf courses.

On the way to Inverness, you can see Britain’s highest point: Ben Nevis.

This 4,409ft peak sits at the head of Loch Linnhe and is visible from Fort William, a popular winter sports destination. From the Nevis Range Ski Centre, you can ski, snowboard and even mountain bike. There’s also the chance to enjoy the landscape from the comforts of a 650m gondola via the Mountain Discovery Centre.

Scenic Drive Four

Details for Scenic Drive Four

Distance: 170 miles. Roads: A9, A82, A827, A93. Postcodes: IV63 6TU (Loch Ness Exhibition Centre) PH33 6SQ (Nevis Range) PH18 5TL (Blair Castle)

Scenic Route Five: The Lake District

Helvellyn -by IanBrookesPhotography

For those looking to experience nature during their drive, the Lake District offers astonishing beauty. This circular route includes the popular towns of Kendal and Keswick, as well as winding around 29 miles of the national park to provide views of Lake Windermere, Lake Thirlmere and the Lakeland Fells.

The village of Grasmere has inspired poets such as Coleridge and Wordsworth and today you can visit Dove Cottage, one of Wordsworth’s former houses, for £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for children.  

Travelling east along the A66 from Keswick onto the A5091 brings you to Ullswater Lake, the second largest body of water in the Lake District. Ullswater offers Steamer tours (£2.80 per child, £5.60 per adult, each way) that cruise the lake from the village of Glenridding or Pooley Bridge to Howtown. The Lakeland Fell area also has many trail paths, so you can take a leisurely stroll within the lakes’ beauty.

For more demanding hike routes, travel to Glenridding, the base of the third highest mountain in the UK. At 3,117ft, Helvellyn has many tough trails for more experienced hikers, although summit routes aren’t the only ones available. Ask the local tourist information office for more information on walking routes.

Scenic Drive Five

Details for Scenic Drive Five

Kendal to Kendal, circular route: (via Keswick & Glenridding.) Distance: 67.8m. Roads: A5284, A591, A66, A5091, A592. Postcodes: LA22 9SQ (Dove Cottage – Wordsworth Museum) CA11 0US (Ullswater Steamers)

This guest post was written by Michael Wade of the car hire team at travelsupermarket.com

Monte Carlo Casino

Stepping into the Casino in Monte Carlo brings about a rush of James Bond fever. After passing rows of luxury cars and stepping beneath the elegant doorway, I entered this world of hushed tones, plush fabrics and polished mahogany braced for vodka martinis and a thrilling car chase.

Of course, I didn’t exactly have the kind of cash that granted me access to those private areas, but for 10 euros and an “appropriate” dress code, I was allowed into the Salon Europe and the Salon des Amériques. There, suitably distinguished others tried their luck at roulette, poker and Black Jack.

Even if you don’t plan on risking a single penny on the games, it’s worth visiting the Monte Carlo Casino to enjoy the architecture, the location and the legend.

Perched on the hilltop of Monaco, one of the world’s richest principalities, the Casino has spectacular views across the harbour of Monte Carlo. Since yachts are as common as cars in UK suburbia (and people aren’t troubled by their latest tax bill), this compact harbour dazzles with the reflections of streetlights on gleaming yachts.

The Casino itself also has no understanding of the word “moderation.” From the fountains and gardens outside, to the Belle Epoque façade and grand inner Atrium complete with marble columns, it’s easy to understand why this place sparked Fleming’s imagination when he wrote Casino Royale.

Find up to date information about the Monte Carlo Casino here.

Inside the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Tiomphe in Paris

is the largest triumphal arch in the world and it sits in one of the most devilish traffic junctions in the world. The Arc may look ancient and distinguished but in European terms it’s actually quite young. Emperor Napoleon commissioned the work so that his troops could “return home beneath triumphal arches,” but the work wasn’t finished until 1836.

Visiting the Arc de Triomphe

As it turns out, there’s more to see at the Arc than just the traffic or the engravings. The Arc de Triomphe has become a memorial to those lost in battle, from officers of France’s Imperial Army, to more recent conflicts in Korea.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

An eternal flame burns over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War One, a symbol of remembrance for all those who cannot be identified.

View From the Arc de Triomphe – The Best in Paris

It’s a hefty climb to the 50 metre high summit of the Arc de Triomphe (although those with young children or wheelchairs can take the lift.) From the top, however, the vision in the layout of Paris becomes clear.

You can see straight down the Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde in one direction and straight to the modern arch La Defense in the other.

View Along the Champs Elysees

View to La Defense

You can see the creamy curves of the Sacré-Coeur on the hills of Montmartre.

View Across Paris to the Sacre Coeur

And you can also see this other monument:

The Eiffel Tower - from the Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe – Practicalities

Sadly, a visit to the arch is not cheap and you’ll often have to queue to buy tickets. Entry includes a museum, housed in the upper portion of the Arc, that illustrates its history: triumphant Imperial processions, the invasion of the Nazis and the subsequent visits from US presidents.  

To see the Arc de Triomphe, head to Charles de Gaulle Étoile on the Paris Metro.

The Alhambra Palace

Inside the Alhambra

Built by the Moors around 700 years ago, a visit to the Alhambra today reveals a sprawling complex of buildings and almost mythical gardens, rather than a single, stern palace. It’s quite a walk between the areas, especially in the summer heat, but the fountains, rosebushes and views of the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains more than compensate for the effort.

Generalife, Alhambra

This is the highest point in the Alhambra complex, a series of gardens with delicate arches that create shade and an “aqua staircase” where water cascades down grooves in the handrails.

The Alcazaba Military Area, Alhambra

Flags still fly over the battlements here, and the towers provide sweeping views over the white-washed streets of Granada.

The Medina, Alhambra

This is the Alhambra’s former shopping area, where a few tasteful souvenir shops keep the tradition going!

The Nasrid Palaces, Alhambra

The Nasrid Palaces are the highlight of a visit to the Alhambra. The level of detail and harmony in the intricate wall carvings have kept visitors enthralled for centuries. Then there’s the artwork across the ceilings, not to mention the elegant fountains and the birds that swoop overhead, the latticed windows and the coloured mosaics…even the most curmudgeonly, palace-overdosed visitor cannot help but feel impressed.

Visiting the Alhambra

The Alhambra

Alhambra tickets are reasonably cheap considering the size and importance of the complex (13 Euros in June 2010.) However, the booking arrangements are more complicated. You are given a 30 minute time slot to visit the Nasrid Palaces and a six hour slot that covers the whole area. You MUST be at the palaces on time or you will be turned away, although once inside you can take as long as you like to wander around. Visit the palaces in the afternoon, if you can, to avoid some of the heat. You can buy tickets for the Alhambra online here.

Facilities within the Alhambra

Toilets and drinking fountains are easy to find, however the options for food are more limited. There is a beautiful hotel that offers excellent tapas but, as you would expect, the prices are not that cheap.

Getting to the Alhambra

Alhambra Gardens

The Alhambra is on the outskirts of Granada in southern Spain. Several budget airlines now fly direct to Granada, itself a great place for a weekend break. Parking outside the complex is easy or else you can pick up a taxi in town. You can also walk up the hill from Granada, although the road is steep and in summer the air is incredibly hot.

An Overview of the Whisky Trail Through the Scottish Highlands

Scottish Highlands

The trail visits 9 sites in total: 7 working distilleries, a former distillery that shows you how 19th century whisky was made, and the Speyside cooperage, where you can watch coopers make and repair barrels.

Prices vary depending on the type of tour you select and your age, with some offering discounted or free entry to those who aren’t lucky enough to be able to try their hand at a drab of whisky.

The trail covers more than 78 miles of mountain ranges and countryside in the Scottish highlands and is easy to navigate by car. Speyside is four hours from Edinburgh via the A93. The trail itself is well signposted and can be completed in the best part of a day. Obviously, as the trail involves some lovely nosing sessions where you can try some of the older, finer whiskies, make sure you have a dedicated, non-drinking driver.

The best time to visit is between May and September, when Scotland hosts several whisky festivals.

The trail has no set route, so you can pick and choose which distillery to visit, depending on your preferences. However, if you want to drive the whole trail, then this is the most efficient route:

Scottish Highlands Malt Whisky Tour – Details

The Great Malt Whisky Trail

A: Dallas Dhu (Historic Distillery)
Postcode: IV36 2RR

Begin the trail at the historic distillery of Dallas Dhu in the town of Forres. Start your journey with a half hour tour that demonstrates how whisky used to be made between 1899 and 1983. Prices remain the same throughout the year: adults £5.20 & children £2.60

B: Benromach
Postcode: IV36 3EB

Travel 2 miles northwest and you’ll find Benromach, the first serviceable distillery on the trail. Here the tour lasts around an hour and cost £3.50 per person, which includes a £2.50 voucher that can be redeemed on purchases over £25 in their shop.

Benromach also offers a more in-depth tour for £17.50 per person and you can also bottle your own personalised Benromach. For £50 you can measure the alcohol strength, add the cork, seal the bottle and sign the label.

C: Glen Moray
Postcode: IV30 1YE

Travel 12 miles east of Benromach to reach the next distillery on the trail – Glen Moray. This lovely distillery is just on the outskirts of the cultured city of Elgin, and the tour takes around an hour and a half to complete, costing £3 per person.

D: Strathisla
Postcode: AB55 5BS

The distillery of Strathisla has been producing fine whiskies since 1786, only 18 miles from Glen Moray in the remarkable town of Keith. The standard tour gives under-18s free entry, while adults pay £5 per person. Strathisla also operates two unique tours over the weekend: “The Ultimate Chivas Experience” on Saturdays and “Straight From the Cask” on Sundays, at £25 per person, over-18s only.

E: Glen Grant
Postcode: AB38 7BS

The next distillery lives alongside the river Spey, where Glen Grant has produced whisky for over 170 years. Standard entry prices are £3.50 for adults, while under-18s get in for free. Unfortunately under-8s aren’t permitted in the production areas but they can still enjoy the gardens and visitor centre.

F: Speyside Cooperage
Postcode: AB38 9RS

Your next stop takes you 4 miles from Glen Grant to the only operational cooperage in the UK, where you can watch how oak casks are produced using age-old tools and techniques. Family tickets £8.50, adults £3.30 and children £2.50 each.

G: Glenfiddich
Postcode: AB55 4DH

Visit the home of the most well-known single malt whisky in the world. Best of all, it’s free! For a more in-depth experience, follow the Connoisseurs’ Tour for £20 per person.

H: The Glenlivet
Postcode: AB37 9DB

The Glenlivet tells tales of whisky smuggling and illicit stills. Around 14 miles from Glenfiddich, entry is also free, however you can opt for a more detailed tour for £25 per person.

I: Cardhu
Postcode: AB38 7RY

The last stop is the Cardhu distillery, where you can join an “Aroma and Flavours” tour, which is the cheapest of the specialist tours at £8 per person. It gives you the chance to indulge your taste buds with tasting sessions of both single malt and blended whisky.

Prices valid as of 23/04/2010

Written by the travelsupermarket.com UK car hire comparison team as a guest post. They are not linked to the distilleries in any way. Photo Credit – sarniebill1

A Shopfront in Barcelona

Yes, Barcelona has world-famous modern art and a dazzling, renovated seafront, but it also still has quiet pockets of a time gone by, like this cake shop.

For more travel photos, visit Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Venice - Classical Romance

Venice and gondolas go together like New York and the Statue of Liberty. Like Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Like…oh, alright, you get the idea.

So I was intrigued when I caught up with true Venetian, Monica Cesarato, who took to the waters for the very first time aged 40, not on a gondola but in a sandolo, part of the Venetian tradition voga.

Explore Venice By Voga

“Yes, I admit it: I am Venetian and I’d never been on a boat,” she says. “But the term Venetian does not apply only to people who are born and live in Venice itself, but also to people who live in the province of Venice, an extensive area on dry land.”

I am Venetian and I’d never been on a boat.

Coming from Oriago di Mira, a countryside village on the River Brenta, Monica had never braved the waters of the Queen of the Adriatic.

Until now.

Her maiden voyage took place on a sandolo, a cross between a rowing boat and a kayak. Although it looks more stable than a traditional gondola, Monica disagrees. ”At first, I was afraid: the boarding wasn’t exactly promising. It kept rolling left to right and I suddenly remembered I wasn’t a good swimmer (Hey, I am a countryside girl!).”

Our friends Nan and Amelia and the BOAT! 

“Thankfully my friends told me to sit on the floor and that helped a lot. The rolling isn’t so bad when you are sitting and once I got into the rhythm I actually started to enjoy the view.”

Did it give you a different perspective on Venice? 

“It was like seeing the city for the first time. It’s amazing what you miss when you dash through the crowds, trying to avoid tourists or when you travel on the vaporetto all squashed by people.”

How was the Grand Canal?

“Between the excessive waves caused by the motor boats and the dangereous ones caused by the vaporetto, we passed from a very pleasant ride to a very scary one.

The Canal Grande 

“The girls were amazing, they kept control of the boat in such a way that made us scream: Girl Power!   There is no view in the world like this!

“The sun was just about to go down, the light was reflecting on the water, the waves kept breaking against our boat. I might be a local, but I never get tired of Venice.”

What happened next?

Monica’s friend Rene guided them away from the Canal Grande into some small side canals, Rii in Venetian.

The sun shining on Venice 

“I have to say this was the most enjoyable part. We slowly glided through the water into this amazing scenario. The tall walls of the palaces and house surrounded us.

“After cicchetto – Venetian tapas – and a nice drink, all taken whilst in the boat, we decided it was time to go back to dry land.”

Overall Impression?

“Well, I waited 40 years, but believe me it was well worth it!”

So there you have it. Next time I’m in Venice perhaps I’ll skip the gondolas and seek out my very own voga experience instead. 

Learn Italian In a Weekend with Monica Cesarato

Monica Cesarato is a native Italian who teaches both English and Italian in Venice. She also operates a B&B 15 minutes away from the city centre and runs weekend courses in Italian. For more details see her site or contact her at info@monicacesarato.com

What do you do in the height of winter, however? When the temperature drops and you find yourself shivering beneath all those festive lights and outdoor art displays?

Head for an indoor exhibition.

Maillol Exhibition, Barcelona

Until 31st January 2010, Caixa Catalunya is hosting an exhibition on Maillol, another Catalan artist. There are several great things about this:

La Casa Pedrera at Night

1) It’s free

2) It’s indoors

3) It’s inside the Casa Pedrera – a striking, fantasy house designed by Gaudí himself

4) Maillol’s work is well worth seeing

La Casa Pedrera

Otherwise known as Casa Milà, Gaudí designed La Casa Pedrera for a wealthy couple in the early twentieth century. Although the outside of the building grabs attention, the spiralling stairs and ceilings on the inside are also impressive.

Inside the Casa Pedrera, Barcelona

Maillol’s Art

Maillol travelled to Paris, dabbled with painting and tapestry before finding his real passion, sculpture. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer:

Then this portrait of artist Renoir:

And plenty involving Maillon’s muse, Dina Vierny:

Barcelona Art, Maillol Exhibition

This art exhibition is open Monday to Sunday from 10.00 a.m until 8.00 p.m until 31st January. It is closed on 25th & 26th December and for the 1st and 6th January. Entry is free, as are guided tours although they only take place in Catalan and Spanish.

NB = you will need to pay to visit Gaudí’s famous sculptures on the rooftop of the Casa Pedrera and in winter this closes at 6 p.m. (it’s dark by then.)

Friday has meant photos over at deliciousbaby for a long while, so this week I thought we’d join in with these pictures of Bremen at night.

I love the contrast of the lights against the blackness – and the feeling that Christmas is just around the corner. These chewy gingerbread biscuits are also incredibly popular, although I can’t imagine why…

To see more photos from Bremen At Night - check out the photostream from Cheap Weekend Breaks below:

Blend together religious conflict plus riches from Columbus’s big American trip and the result is the largest cathedral in Christendom (or potentially the third largest. Sources vary. It seems to depend on who counts what part.)

Anyway, the cathedral in Seville is huge and, on the outside, incredibly tastefully done. Its honeyed tower, the Giralda, still forms Seville’s central landmark and the lines of orange trees and horse-drawn carriages around its give it plenty of atmosphere.

Inside, it’s evident that Seville had no unified plan when it conceived the project. White domes reminiscent of art galleries follow off side rooms with jewel-encrusted crowns and the structure of the central nave is broken up by wildly elaborate gold choir stalls and altars.

Costing 8 euros to enter, it seems that it’s expensive to keep up with the Joneses.

For me, the view from the top of the Giralda’s 105 metres  makes the visit worthwhile. From this former minaret, you can appreciate the full extent of the Real Alcazar’s gardens, the Alamillo Bridge, the prominence of the Maestranza Bullring and the spread of those ubiquitous orange trees. The view also gives an idea of the size and scale of Seville, one that’s easily missed by strolling around the tight, angulated streets of Santa Cruz.

If you’re short of time, however, I’d recommend giving it a miss and heading across the Plaza to the Real Alcazar instead.

Seville Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with variable opening times. To avoid disappointment if you’re only there for one weekend check in with this site for up to date details.

Floor to Ceiling Gold - for 42 metres

View from the Giralda

Yes, it’s finally time to start thinking about Christmas (according to my very accurate guessometer calendar.) If the thought of shuffling into High Street shops gets you down, then how about a weekend away? Here are five of the best Christmas Markets you can head to for an atmospheric weekend break:

1)      Bath Christmas Market

Bath Christmas Market by Chor Ip

Bath Christmas Market starts early this year, throwing open its wooden chalets on 26th November and reining them back in again on 6th December. The location is perfect, however, with Christmas lights nestled snugly between Bath’s main Abbey and the Roman Baths, whose thermal waters have poured forth for over 2000 years. Better yet, Bath’s well-connected by road and train and a great place for a weekend break in its own right.

2) Strasbourg Christmas Market

Strasbourg Christmas Market by ChristinaT

You’ve got a bit more time to get to see the Strasbourg Christmas Market, as it runs from November 28th to December 31st. Strasbourg has been doing this kind of thing since 1570 and offers a range of Christmas Market experiences. It’s not just gingerbread biscuits and twinkling lights, Strasbourg hosts literary markets, children’s markets, Christmas walks and even tapestries. Try and find the Bredle cookies made especially for advent.

3)      Toulouse

Toulouse Christmas Market - By Jason Riedy

Don’t think that northern Europe holds the monopoly on festive cheer, the expansive Place Capitole in southwest France’s Toulouse hosts its own Christmas Market each year. As well as traditional wooden cabins and mulled wine, you can find pepper-cherry wine, strange potato dough and an impromptu ice rink. Opens Saturday December 12th.

4)      Bremen

Bremen Christmas Market by Stuart King

Bremen doesn’t mess about when it comes to Christmas Markets, even the side streets leading up to the main event drip with glühwein, candlelight and iced biscuits. You can taste a bit of the Schlachte Magic from 26th November and immerse yourself in Christmas carols, cathedral tours and organ recitals in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

5)      Prague

Prague Christmas Market - by Prittammets

Wrap up warm, warm, warm because it is cold in Prague for Christmas. Everything’s on hand to soothe chilled and aching bones, however, from the spicy gingerbread, to the mulled wine to the proud range of Czech beer and hearty dumplings. Christmas Markets take place throughout December in the Old Town Square, as well as in the festively named Wenceslas Square.

So there you go, that’s my top 5 Christmas Markets for cheap weekend breaks. I was feeling pretty scrooge-esque when I started but now I’m humming Christmas carols to myself…Another round of Good King Wenceslas, anyone? Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la….