Neel Biswas
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Top 10 things to do in Paris in spring
Paris is beautiful to explore any season. But spring is the time to soak up that special ‘April in Paris’ charm that Sinatra sung about so well: chestnut groves blossom, city parks burst into flower, plane trees sprout foliage over boulevards, and cafe terraces buzz with new-found energy as …
Top 20 free things to do in Berlin
Berlin may be one of the best-value cities in Europe but, for visitors, those euros can start to add up after days of museum-hopping and nights of clubbing. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stretch your budget further by cashing in on some tip-top freebies.<p>Catch a ride to the Reichstag’s …
From skulls to sewers: the darker side of Paris
Paris basks in its reputation as a glittering capital of fashion, art and culture – but it also has the power to bewitch visitors with more macabre sights.<p>Peer behind the glamour of the French capital to discover the best of its underground wonders and grisly history.<p>Les Catacombes<p>Beneath Paris’ …
Top things to do in Rome
Few cities evoke the sheer wonder and amazement of Rome. Ancient history, outstanding art and religious icons are around every corner and when it all gets too much you can just join the locals in sipping espresso in one of the city's many squares. With so much to see and do, the real test will be …
Ten of the best food and drink secrets in Europe
With its momentous history, cutting-edge culture, and breathtaking landscapes, Europe comprises an extraordinary wealth of sights, sounds, peoples and parties. But it’s the endlessly varied cuisine that makes us reach for our passports again and again. Whether you’ve been to Europe once or 100 …
20 free things to do in Amsterdam
It's easy to spend a fortune in the Netherlands' stylish capital, but the city has plenty of gratis goodies up for grabs.<p>Check out our pick of the freebies on offer.<p><b>1. Canal Ring</b><p>More canals flow in Amsterdam than in Venice, and get this: the 400-year-old waterways are a UNESCO World Heritage site. …
Exploring the best of Croatia's islands
Croatia’s coast is speckled with dozens of magnificent islands that range from tiny, verdant and unpopulated to massive, arid and sporting ancient towns and villages. One of the chief delights on any visit to Croatia is hopping between the islands on the numerous ferries, catamarans and taxi boats, …
Affordable Greece
Think Greece and conjure up images of white-washed villages cascading down hillsides, azure seas sparkling in bright sunshine and powder-soft white sand beaches. A visit to this special country is a lifelong dream for many, as it delivers an astounding array of breathtaking landscapes, ancient …
CC BY-SALonely Planet's Best in Europe 2014
Are you packing your bags for Europe this summer, or still just fantasizing about it? Either way, you’ll be spoiled for choice when you cast your eyes over our irresistible expert picks.<p>While our Best in Travel 2014 already touted Paris’ urban renaissance, Scotland’s many events, and Yorkshire’s …
Long-term travel: top tips for a fulfilling trip
Most of us have fantasised about ditching the daily grind of the office job and domestic duties for a one-way ticket to happiness. Now more people are taking action in striving for a more meaningful existence, and travel is at the top of the list.<p>The ease of leveraging digital technology is giving …
18 free things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona has enough to keep the most voracious of culture vultures and self-indulgent of gourmands happy for weeks, but all those entry fees and tapas bills can mount up. Fortunately, help is at hand with a variety of ways to make your holiday budget stretch a little further.<p>In addition to the …
Ten of the world's most mind-blowing landscapes
Gazing at a remarkable view for the first time is one of travel’s greatest thrills – and these 10 landscapes are among the most mind-blowing we’ve ever seen.<p>Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA<p>Yellowstone National Park has an embarrassment of astonishing sights, from the thundering waterfalls of …
Italy's top attractions: taking the 'trap' out of tourist trap
Across the globe, lucky souls are packing for Italy to explore the famed marvels of ancient Rome, find romance along Venice's teal-blue canals – and well-meaning friends are still trying to talk them out of it. 'You're going where? When? But it's a tourist trap!' they gasp.<p>This popular wisdom may …
A guide to the eateries of Greece
Where to eat and drink in Greece? Perhaps the question should be: ‘Where not?’ Greeks live to eat and drink – they dream about it and talk about it at all times of the day. Wherever you go in Greece you might not find accurate clocks, punctual flights or a good cup of tea, but by Zeus you’ll find …
Ten ways to break a sweat in Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca has been saying <i>adiós</i> to the cheap-as-chips package holiday cliché over the past few years to focus on its year-round outdoor appeal.<p>And whether you are jumping off a cliff, negotiating the Tramuntana's gruelling hairpins by mountain bike or kayaking to secluded coves too tiny to appear on …
Tour de dessert: Europe’s most delicious pastries, cakes and tarts
American cafe culture has come a long way in the last two decades: corporate coffee has spawned near two generations of independent cafes that offer more than the old standby of roadside diner joe and pie. But in Europe, grand salons with wrap-around pastry cases have more in common with jewellery …
Eat like a local in the Algarve
Alongside sun-drenched beaches and historical villages, the Algarve region of Portugal is packed with choices for anyone with a passion for simple, lovingly prepared local food. The Algarve's busy hotels and resorts offer an abundance of dining options, and the destination is dotted with …
A guide to the eateries of Spain
Restaurants have been a part of Spanish culture for centuries. Indeed Spain is home to the oldest surviving restaurant in the world. According to the Guinness book that would be Sobrino de Botín (established 1725) just off Plaza Mayor in Madrid. Botín is merely the oldest and you’ll find many other …
First time Ireland: unmissable Emerald Isle experiences
Ireland’s reputation precedes itself, so first-time visitors might think they know what to expect – rolling green fields, chatty locals and a pint for each hand – but there’s so much more to Ireland than its stereotypical charms. Skip the bus tours stopping at leprechaun-filled souvenir shops and …
Ten of the world's best destinations for drinkers
Instead of cracking a can at home, why not search out one of these boozy hotspots? Whether you fancy guzzling a pint, sipping a cocktail or knocking back a dram or two, we can help you quench your thirst in style.<p>Pivni Lazne Bernard, Prague, Czech Republic<p>Sure, a pint of pilsner wouldn’t go amiss - …
Barcelona's top museums and galleries
<i>This highlighted list of museums and galleries is taken from Lonely Planet's city guide to</i> <i>Barcelona</i><i>.</i><p>GALLERIES<p>CaixaForum<p><i>Image of CaixaForum by</i> <i>montuno</i><br>Housed in a former Modernista factory, an outstanding brick caprice by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, this extensive private collection of contemporary art is …
How to trek to Everest Base Camp
Mount Everest has captivated intrepid men and women since the 1920s. The exploits of legends such as George Mallory, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay put the mighty mountain on the map; thousands have followed, making huge sacrifices – many with their lives – in their own attempts to the …
Top 10 places to go skinny-dipping
Loosen your buttons & shake off your inhibitions with this extract from <i>Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Experiences</i>: our rundown of the world’s best nude bathing.<p>1. Formentera, Spain<p>Tan lines? What tan lines? As the smallest and most southerly of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Formentera boasts some of the …
A guide to the eateries of Turkey
<i>A guide to the various types of eating places you'll find in Turkey.</i><p>One of the joys of eating out in Turkey is that there’s no need to order your whole meal at once. It’s perfectly acceptable to order one or two small dishes, see how you go, and order more later if you’re still hungry or tempted. …
Explore Italy’s art masterpieces
Italy hosts such a rich variety of historical art pieces it is almost overwhelming to the novice art-appreciator.<p>You can see many of Italian art’s greatest hits in a single day if you want to shuffle along behind everyone else at the Vatican, but this is a recipe for Stendhal syndrome: an arguably …
Zürich: more than finance and fondue
Ask the average person to name the party capital of Europe and Zürich probably would not top the list. What's in Zürich? Erm…bankers, fondue, chocolate, chalet-style cuckoo clocks. Think that covers it? Think again.<p>Switzerland’s largest city may not have the glamour of Paris, the hedonistic party …