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Amsterdam Canal. Flickr

Amsterdam is an amazing capital city in the Netherlands that people go to visit for a variety of different reasons. Many travelers go here to experience the permissive lifestyle of a city with a world-renowned Red Light District and a liberal stance on the use of recreational drugs. However, a majority of the people who travel to Amsterdam have other more educational plans in mind. They want to directly experience the rich history that this place holds. A beautiful destination, Amsterdam is also a place where many important things in Europe’s history are remembered in landmarks, historic sites and museums. (more…)

Gallerie Nazionale d’Arte Moderna Rome. Flickr.

A person who is interested in the history of art can best explore that history by going to the major cities which have been important to art movements over time. There is arguably no better city in the world to experience that type of travel than the city of Rome. There are numerous art museums and art galleries located in Rome where visitors can go to gain a thorough understanding of the history of art. Some of these are galleries that are designed to showcase the work of international artists. Others are galleries that are committed to showing off the skills of Italian artists that have thrived in the area in the past. And many are places that are worth visiting purely because the architecture of the gallery itself is of historic interest.

Anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of art – or a better understanding of Rome – will want to visit at least a few of the following art galleries in Rome: (more…)

A view of Rome in the evening. Flickr

Rome, the capital city of Italy, is a cosmopolitan travel destination that is adored by people throughout Europe and around the world. It has some of the world’s best restaurants, some of the most luxurious five star hotels and some of the most interesting new buildings that you’ll find throughout Italy. However, there remains an aura of ancient ambiance in the air here. Rome is built upon hundreds of years of history; you can see it in the city’s architecture and you can feel it in the city’s mood. Rome has moved into modern times but it has taken with it the memories that have made it an outstanding city to live in and visit throughout time. (more…)

The Glass Pyramid outside of the Louvre Museum
(Photo via flickr cc)

You could spend a month in the Louvre and not even scratch the surface of the museum’s collection of 35,000 works of art. Most of us don’t have the time for that, so here’s how to get the most from your visit without getting overstimulated.

Buy a museum pass
With the museum pass, there’s no admission charge, no waiting in lines and no limit to the number of times you can visit more than 70 museums and monuments in Paris and the surrounding area. Consider making two shorter visits to the museum, say a couple of hours on day one and an hour or so on day two. The pass will allow you to split up your visits without paying twice.
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Parthenon temple from ancient Greece. credit: Panoramas

Athens is the capital city of Greece, a Mediterranean country which has much to offer the visitor from anywhere around the globe. There is history to be learned about here through trips to the landmarks that have been preserved in the area over the centuries. There is natural beauty to experience in the landscape surrounding the major city. And there is modern activity including entertainment, dining and shopping that can be enjoyed throughout the city. The smart traveler will want to make sure to create an Athens itinerary that includes the best of both historic and modern attractions in the area as well as the best of urban and natural activities. This will provide a complete view of what Athens is like and really give you something to remember even after you’ve returned home.

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Eiffel Tower in Paris France at night.

Where would be the first place that you would make sure to stop if you had the opportunity to take a vacation trip to Paris? Chances are that you would make sure to head to the because it’s the most famous landmark in Paris; it’s also one that’s hard to miss when you’re in the city. Once you had checked off the itinerary box next to this most well-known of Paris landmarks, you would still have a lengthy list of sights that you’d probably want to see.

Paris is a city that not only has a long history but which also has a long history as a vacation destination. Because of this history as well as its draw as a tourist spot, Paris has many places that people are interested in seeing when they are there. The majority of these famous Paris landmarks are historical attractions and architectural hot spots but there are a few more modern locations that people frequently want to check out in Paris as well.
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A panoramic view or Rome at sunset

You are probably only going to get a handful of opportunities to visit Rome. That’s if you are lucky; many Rome travelers are there for their first and only experience of this magnificent ancient city. Because of this, Rome travelers are particularly keen on trying to see all of the top landmarks that they can fit into one vacation. This is obviously difficult to do since Rome has thousands of years of history behind it during which it accumulated a number of important landmarks. However, there are only a few key places that are absolute “do not miss this” kind of places in Rome. By making sure that you experience these top Rome landmarks, you can see what there is to see and still enjoy the vacation that you’re having in this amazing city.
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Liverpool, the city that raised John, Paul, George, and Ringo, has just opened a new four-star hotel, designed in the Beatles’ honor. The 110-room Hard Days Night Hotel opened on February 1 in renovated 19th century mercantile building, located in the city’s Cavern Quarter. The hotel is named after the group’s second movie, released in 1964.

The Rooms
The rooms at the Hard Days Night Hotel all contain artifacts and memorabilia from the Beatles career and life in Liverpool. Rooms range from modest standard rooms to the luxurious, $1300/night John Lennon penthouse suite, complete with a white baby grand piano. All rooms include flatscreen tvs and wireless Internet access, among other amenities.

Facilities
Facilities at the Hard Days Night Hotel include two restaurants–an upscale, organic restaurant and a casual Mediterranean bistro, a bar, and an art gallery.

Sightseeing near the Hard Days Night Hotel
The hotel is located adjacent to the Cavern Club, the nightclub where the Beatles got their start. In addition, the Beatles Museum is just down the street and the area boast several Beatles-themed sightseeing tours.

Hard Days Night Hotel
North John Street
Liverpool
L2 6RR
Telephone +44 (0)151 236 1964

Each year in Europe, two cities are named to be the continents Capitals of Culture for the year. It gives sometimes little-known cities the chance to make their name on the world scene - like one of this year’s Capitals, the town of Stavanger in Norway - and others the opportunity to recover a reputation. That’s the case for  the other 2008 Capital of Culture, Liverpool, which wants to return to its musical roots and get past the industrial and welfare problems that it’s perhaps become more famous for.

Last weekend Liverpool officially kicked off its year as a Capital of Culture by welcoming back some of its most famous citizens: most notably, of course, ex-Beatle Ringo Starr came back to perform in the opening concert. Beatles-related tourism is definitely one of Liverpool’s strong points, with museums, tours and memorabilia all being key attractions.

In preparation for the big year - which is also Liverpool’s 800th birthday - the city built a large new arena, and that was the venue for Saturday’s huge “Liverpool the Musical” performance, where Ringo Starr got involved again.

During the rest of the year, all manner of cultural events from exhibitions and concerts through parades and special festivals will take place, so it is definitely a good year to be in Liverpool.

If you are looking for a unique place to have a cocktail–and who isn’t–look no further than the Absolut Ice Bar, located in Stockholm’s Nordic Sea Hotel.

The bar, which features cocktails made from Absolut Vodka, is kept at an invigorating 23 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s so that the walls, furniture, wall decor, and drinking vessels don’t melt. They are all made of ice.

The Absolut Ice Bar is cozy, with just enough room for 30 guests. Reservations are recommended and admission includes a toasty silver cloak and your first cocktail. The bar is open all year and reservations are taken for 45 minute intervals. Call 46 8 50 56 31 24 to make a reservation.

Stockholm’s Absolut Ice Bar, which opened in 2002, is not the only Absolut Ice Bar. A location recently opened in Milan and plans are afoot for more of the icy bars.

(photo © seamusiv/cc license)