Kid-Friendly Paris: Head Outdoors

Widely considered to be the most romantic city in the world, Paris is a popular choice for honeymooners and other couples. However, it can also be a great destination for travelers with children. Many fantastic hotels in Paris (try the Hôtel Claridge Paris or the Adagio Paris Tour Eiffel) cater to those with little ones, as do an array of fun-filled tourist attractions. The city’s parks, especially, are home to a wide range of kid-friendly activities and features. Here are our picks for the very best:

Bois de Vincennes

Constructed to be royal hunting grounds in the 11^th century, Paris’ Bois de Vincennes has since radically evolved. Today, the beautiful park offers something for everyone—including the largest zoo in the city. The Vincennes Zoo covers an area of 14.5 hectares (33 acres) and houses about 1,200 animals in areas designed to resemble their natural habitats. The forest also features the impressive Grand Rocher, the Hippodrome de Vincennes, the Vincennes Racecourse, the Parc Floral, and the Palais de la Porte Dorée Tropical Aquarium (complete with a crocodile pit!) Your kids may also enjoy the charming carousel, puppet theatre, playgrounds and 17.5km of walking and cycling trails on the premises.

Champ de Mars

Another spacious park filled with monuments, the Champ de Mars is about 800 feet across and nearly half a mile long. Among its many highlights are the edge of the River Seine, the grounds of countless festivals and celebrations—and (most famous of all) the iconic Eiffel Tower. At the eastern end of the garden, in front of the Ecole Militare, you will find the newly added Monument to Peace. On Sundays afternoons, concerts are routinely held in a lovely gazebo. Other popular distractions that are especially great for families include children’s playgrounds, donkey rides and a marionette theatre.

Luxembourg Gardens

Like the Champ de Mars, Luxembourg Gardens also has a marionette theatre. Even children who do not understand French will be able to follow along with the global fairytales told here. “Les Trois Petits Cochons” (“The Three Little Pigs”), “Blanche Neige” (“Snow White”) and other childhood classics are told by expert entertainers in a scenic setting. Other highlights of the park include an array of beautiful fountains, manicured gardens, a large pond on which you may float miniature sail boats, and the Palais du Luxembourg. The inspiring palace, constructed between 1615 and 1627, is located at the northern end of the park. Its rich history and magical atmosphere is a must-see for adults and children alike.

Jardin des Tuileries

The perfectly manicured Palais de Tuileries in Paris got its unusual name (tuilerie is French for “tile”) from its earlier occupation as a 16^th-century clay quarry. Today, the stunning landscape is dominated by lush greenery—and an array of unique attractions, including a number for children. Two museums, the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume and the Musée de l’Orangerie, offer interesting exhibits (the latter even features famous water lily paintings by Claude Monet) while wide outdoor spaces allow you to enjoy some fun in the sun. Grab a chair and marvel at the famous Place de la Concorde while your children take advantage of the eight secure trampolines set on the northwest side of the garden (near the Rue de Rivoli.)

Bois de Boulogne

While many acres of the Bois de Boulogne are still quite rustic and wild, the picturesque landscape is also home to a great number of landmarks. Peaceful footpaths (there are 35km) and horse-riding trails will take you past manicured lawns and fragrant patches of forest, while the open-air Theatre of Flowers is an impressive sight to see. The Bois de Boulogne is also where you will find the Shakespeare Garden and Theatre, playgrounds for children, a collection of snack bars and cafés, the Longchamp Race Course, a small zoo, an archery range, a bowling alley and a pristine lake whereon you may enjoy a boat ride. Kids also love the park’s house of mirrors, the doll’s house and the whimsical clockwork toy’s village.

Digging around in Europe’s Best Cemeteries

One of the best ways – and one of the most inexpensive – to experience the history of a new place is to visit its cemeteries. Even the smallest village graveyard will tell you which winter had a major blizzard, how big the families were from generation to generation and who the town’s have’s and have-not’s were. It’s all there, written in stone. As it would be impossible to sum up every cemetery in Europe, I’ll have to leave the explorations to you and concentrate on five of the most impressive resting places on the continent.

American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-mere, France

A humongous operation like D-Day deserves a humongous memorial, Colleville-sur-mere’s American Cemetery does a great job of paying tribute to all the men who lost their lives storming Hitler’s Fortress Europe. Set majestically on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, site of some of the day’s fiercest fighting, the cemetery contains the remains of almost 9,500 American military personnel. The cemetery was established on June 8, 1944, just days after the invasion. The rows and rows of simple white crosses and Jewish stars have been immortalized in such films as “Saving Private Ryan,” and the impressive Memorial consists of a semicircular colonnade featuring maps of the military operations, all surrounding a bronze statue. There’s also a reflecting pool, the names of 1,557 Americans who lost their lives in the conflict but could not be located and/or identified and a time capsule to be opened on June 6, 2044. Though the cemetery and the landing beaches are within striking distance of several major cities, the closest hotels can also let you experience the charm of the villages of Normandy.

Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, Paris, France

Though known primarily as the final resting place of Jim Morrison, the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise is so much more. As international as the city of Paris, the cemetery is home to the American Doors singer, the Irish novelist, poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde and the French-Polish composer Frédéric François Chopin, as well as such French luminaries as Edith Piaf, Honoré Daumier and Eugène Delacroix. Thought to be the world’s most-visited cemetery, Père-Lachaise attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The cemetery is home to three World War I memorials, and you can visit the 1682 Jesuit house belonging to Père François de la Chaise himself, the confessor to Louis XIV in the 17th century. The cemetery was established by Napoleon in 1804 but was considered to be too far outside the city to attract many funerals. Now in the centre of the city, this cemetery of over 300,000 residents is close to many great Paris hotels.

Catacombe di Roma, Rome, Italy

If you’d like to go further back in history and you’d like to get closer to the permanent residents of a cemetery, then come on down to the Catacombe di Roma. Dating from the 2nd century CE, this vast network of tunnels has seen much pillaging, sacking, destruction and expansion over the centuries. Those most widely known for its Christian burials, there are also many Pagans and many Jews, reflecting the ever-changing Roman population, located both separately and mixed all together. Up to four stories of tunnels run for many kilometres, and in addition to the many generations of Romans, the tunnels feature stunning examples of early Christian art dating from before 400 CD, as well as much Jewish art. Responsibility for the catacombs presently rests with the Pope, and excavations are constantly underway, increasing our knowledge of some very interesting periods of Roman history. Once you return to the land of the living, you’ll find a wide variety of Rome hotels.

Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague, Czech Republic

The oldest preserved tombstone in the Old Jewish Cemetery of Prague is of one Avigdor Kara, who did in 1489. Over the next 300 years, tens of thousands of the city’s Jewish residents were laid to rest here. Though there are 12,000 tombstones that can be identified, the cemetery contains layer upon layer upon layer of graves (12 layers in some places), and the number of occupants is thought to be closer to 100,000. The sight of the masses of graves, piled atop each other and sticking in every direction like crooked teeth is a truly unique sight. Set in the Jewish Quarter of Prague, the cemetery is the final resting place of Renaissance scholar, historian, mathematician and astronomer David Gans, Mayor of the Jewish Town Mordechai Maisel and Rabbi Löw, forever famous for his association with Prague’s mythical clay creature, the Golem. Set in the centre of the old city, the cemetery is conveniently located for many Prague hotels.

Highgate Cemetery, London, UK

As disorderly as the cemetery of Prague is, that’s how orderly London’s Highgate Cemetery is. Don’t get me wrong, this classic English graveyard is filled to the brim with gothic graves, tombs and buildings. It’s also the final resting place of such diverse personalities as novelist George Eliot, author of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” Douglas Adams and that grand old communist himself, Karl Marx himself. Two more recent arrivals are Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and the actor Sir Ralph Richardson. The cemetery is also infamous as being the site of the Highgate Vampire of the 1970′s. Set in the north of London, the cemetery has been designated Grade I on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. The northwestern wooded area was opened in 1839, as part of a plan to provide seven large around the outside of London, and it quickly became a fashionable address in which to spend eternity. The grounds are full of trees, shrubbery and wild flowers and are a haven for birds and small animals like foxes, giving it the feeling of a park, and the oldest section boasts an impressive collection of Victorian mausoleums and gravestones. The nearest transport link, the Archway Tube Station, but there are also many excellent hotels in the area.

Europe’s Sex Museums

If you thought going to a museum was all about impressionists, cubists, Roman sculptures and old furniture, think again. Since the 1980s a whole new crop of erotic museums and sex museums have been popping up (so to speak) all over Europe, from frozen Saint Petersburg to sizzling Barcelona and every place in between. Each museum is different, boasting its own specialty and each one is quite entertaining.

Erotic Museum, Amsterdam

The granddaddy of Europe’s sex museums, Amsterdam’s Erotic Museum has been open since the 80s. Set in an old warehouse, the Erotic Museum is quiet appropriately situated in the heart of the city’s iconic Red Light District, a sex museum in its own right. Beyond the 17th century façade, whose ancient screed “God is mijn Burgh” (God is my Castle) ironically overlooks the entrance, are five floors of eroticism. In addition to a wax model of a working girl, a constantly playing x-rated version of Snow White and a collection of vintage erotic photos, the museum features many non-erotic exhibits, like its collection of John Lennon lithographs. Though you may not choose to spend the night in the Red Light District, there are many nice Amsterdam hotels surprisingly close.

Musée de l’érotisme, Paris

From the city of sex we go to the city of love. Even the name, Musée de l’érotisme, evokes romance. Open since 1997, Paris’s entry into the sex museum sweepstakes features the erotic art collection of antique dealer Alain Plumey and French teacher Jo Khalifa. Set in the city’s Pigalle District, the museum has a wide-reaching collection that is as classy as its Dutch counterpart is kitschy. Ancient religious art of India, Japan and Africa rub shoulders with contemporary art with an erotic focus over five floors of exhibitions. One floor is devoted to maisons closes, the legal brothels of the 19th and early twentieth centuries, and a collection of pornographic shorts that were exhibited in these brothels, called Polisson et galipettes is also screened. The Pigalle District boasts many hotels, romantic and otherwise, as does the rest of the city.

Beate Uhse Erotik-Museum, Berlin

The sex museum goes high-tech in Berlin’s Beate Uhse Erotik-Museum, a slick, modern museum featuring interactive exhibits, 3D projections, games and more than 30 LED screens. Here you can see over 5,000 items from around the world, from Indian and Asian erotic miniatures to 2,000 year-old Peruvian drinking vessels to African fertility masks. Don’t miss the carved Balinese phalli, and don’t miss the museum shop and the life-sized dioramas depicting sadism, masochism, fetishism and more. If nothing else you’ll walk away remembering the Japanese shunga art, featuring its oversized genitalia and the Chinese Wedding Tiles are also worth a look. Sex education was never so beautiful. And of course, Berlin has a long list of accommodation choices.

Sex Machines Museum, Prague

The name of this 2002 museum says it all. Located right in Old Town Square, among all the medieval buildings, there are some items in the Sex Machines Museum that are, appropriately, quite medieval. The only museum in the world solely dedicated to sex machines, the museum features toys and sexual aids going all the way back to the 1500s in its 200 item collection. Body harnesses and copulation tables are on display, as well as “coercive” chairs designed for absolute domination. You won’t soon forget the Asian “Magic Box” palanquin with its sliding peepholes or the throne chairs their strategically-placed holes designed for oral pleasure. Other items include chastity belts from the 1580s, whose clawed teeth must have been quite effective, as well as the comparably mild shoes worn by Greek prostitutes, which have the sentence “follow my steps” engraved on the soles so that they could leave an imprint on the ground. Set in the centre of the city, the museum is just steps away from many Prague hotels.

The Icelandic Phallological Museum, Húsavík

Though not strictly a sex museum, Húsavík’s Icelandic Phallological Museum has the largest collection of penises gathered anywhere in the world. Don’t worry. They’re not human. In fact, the 272 specimens come from the wide and wild world of the animal kingdom. Exhibits range from the tiniest insect to the largest whale, with all sorts of horses, lizards, cats, dogs and more. There are penises under glass, penises mounted on the walls like trophies and penises floating in formaldehyde It really must be seen to be believed, and the proprietor, Sigurður Hjartarson, a former teacher of history, encourages photographs and discussion. He’s very proud of the collection he’s amassed over the years, and love the museum or hate it, you’ll always remember it. After the museum, you can head to the bay for a whale-watching tour, and then it’s on to one of Húsavík’s charming hotels.

Searching for Vermeer

Anyone who has ever seen a painting by Johannes Vermeer understands what all the fuss is about. The beauty of his work and its photographic realism has never been matched, and reproductions in prints, books and posters come nowhere near doing it justice. Unfortunately only 36 known paintings have been positively attributed to the 17th century artist from Delft, the 37th, “Concert,” having been stolen from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990.

What follows is a list of the 22 Vermeer paintings located in Europe (the other 14 are in the US), divided by city and museum. Of course like all other artists, Vermeer travels a lot. So a website by artist Jonathan Janson called the Flying Fox features a “Vermeer Tracker” which tells you where his paintings are at any given time.

AMSTERDAM

The Milkmaid, The Little Secret, The Love Letter, Woman in Blue Reading a Letter

The Rijksmuseum
Jan Luijkenstraat 1
1071 CJ Amsterdam
Netherlands
020 6747000

LONDON

A Lady Seated at a Virginal, A Lady Standing at a Virginal

The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DN
United Kingdom
020 7747 2885

The Music Lesson

The Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace
13 Buckingham Palace Rd
Westminster, London SW1W 0
United Kingdom
020 7766 7300

The Guitar Player

Kenwood House
Hampstead NW3 7JR
United Kingdom
020 8348 1286

THE HAGUE

The Girl with the Pearl Earring, View of Delft, Diana and her Companions

The Mauritshuis
Korte Vijverberg 8
2513 AB The Hague
Netherlands
070 3023456

BERLIN

The Glass of Wine, Woman with a Pearl Necklace

Staatliche Museen Preußischer Kulturbesitz, Gemäldegalerie
Bodestraße 1
10178 Berlin
Germany
030 2662987

DRESDEN

The Preocuress, A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window

Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Gemäldegalerie
Taschenberg 2
01067 Dresden
Germany
0351 4914-2000

PARIS

The Lacemaker, The Astronomer

The Louvre
Musée du Louvre
75058 Paris Cedex 01
France
01 40 20 57 60

DUBLIN

Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid

National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square W
Dublin 2, Co. Dublin
Ireland
01 661 5133

EDINBURGH

Christ in the House of Mary and Martha

National Gallery of Scotland
The Mound
Edinburgh EH2 2EL
United Kingdom
0131 624 6200

FRANKFURT AM MAIN

The Geographer

Stadesches Kunstinistitut
Schaumainkai 63
60596 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
069 605098-0

VIENNA

The Art of Painting

Kunsthistorisches Museum
Burgring 5
1010 Wien
Österreich
01 525240

BRUNSWICK

The Girl with a Glass of Wine

Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum
Museumstraße 1
38100 Brunswick
Germany
0531 1225-0

Of course you’ll need a place to stay after your trip to the museum, so here are lists of hotels in Amsterdam, hotels in London, hotels in Berlin, hotels in The Hague, hotels in Dresden, hotels in Paris, hotels in Dublin, hotels in Edinburgh, hotels in Frankfurt am Main, hotels in Vienna and hotels in Brunswick.

Cooking Your Way Through Europe

If you’re like me, one of the most memorable parts of any trip is the food. While you can’t take the Eiffel Tower or the Alhambra home with you, a visit to a European cooking school can have you reliving your holiday over and over again just by entering your kitchen. Most people don’t know that you can get hands-on culinary training from the some of the best cooking schools in Europe, many of which offer short courses for visitors, many in English. Courses can run anywhere between one day and several weeks, but all yield results that last a lifetime

La Cuisine de Marie-Blanche-France, Paris, France

We start, of course, in the city known world-wide for its cuisine. Author of many cookbooks and a friend and collaborator of the late, great Julia Child, Princess Marie-Blanche de Broglie opened La Cuisine de Marie-Blanche back in 1975. Whether you take the daylong class, which features a luncheon, or whether you take one of the three to nine month diploma classes, you will be learning about French cuisine as created by one of the true masters. Classes are offered for the individual and for the group, and there are even classes that specialize in pastry. The school boasts a central location on the Avenue de la Motte Pic, right between the Place des Invalides, home to Napoleon’s Tomb and the Parc du Champ de Mars, home to the Eiffel Tower. Three-star accommodations within a block include the Hotel de la Motte Picquet and the Hôtel Le Beaugency.

L’Ecole de Cuisine Le Chapon Fin, Bordeaux, France

This city whose name is synonymous with fine wine is also famous for Le Chapon Fin, a restaurant that opened in 1825 and was one of the first 33 restaurants to receive a Michelin award, back in 1933. Le Chapon Fin is also home to L’Ecole de Cuisine Le Chapon Fin. As a student, you will not only get to cook, but you’ll also learn which wines compliment different dishes from the sommelier. Though the five-day course is open to all, don’t be surprised to find that many of your fellow students are professional chefs. Speaking of professional chefs, the school is run by Nicolas Frion, Le Chapon Fin’s own professional chef. There are many excellent Bordeaux hotels that are close to L’Ecole de Cuisine Le Chapon Fin.

Granada Cooking & Wine School, Granada, Spain

Heading to Spain, we find ourselves in the ancient Andalucian city of Granada, whose past as the Moorish capital has left it with a unique culinary legacy. Right in the city’s historic quarter is Casa Azahar, which opens its doors to a small number of students each year for its Granada Cooking & Wine School. These lucky few learn to prepare Mediterranean, Sephardic, and Mozarabic dishes using, greens and vegetables from local markets, olives from local groves, and wild herbs from behind the house. Field trips include the nearby Vinos de la Tierra Norte de Granada, where you’ll meet with master wine makers. The school is open from November to April for classes ranging from two to eight students. Some of the other perks include a view of the production of olives, olive oil, and cheese, tastings the famed Sherries from Jerez and Montilla and of course stunning views of the timeless Alhambra Palace. The same wonderful views can also be had from many Granada hotels.

Refúgio da Vila Cooking School, Portel, Portugal

Located just one hour from the Spanish border and two hours from lively Lisbon is the charming village of Portel. This is where you’ll find peace, quiet and some amazing cooking instruction at the Refúgio da Vila Rural Hotel and Cooking School. Here you’ll spend your nights in the historic villa manor house and your days learning from the hotel’s head chef Miguel Amaral. Each class lasts a week, and includes such unique lessons as curing sausage and baking Portuguese bread. The classes take place in the hotel’s homey kitchen, where you’ll take fresh local ingredients and the local flavors of the Alentejo Region and turn them into traditional Portuguese dishes. The hotel’s elegantly furnished rooms also make a homebase for exploring this beautiful corner of Portugal.

Nick Nairn Cook School, Stirling, Scotland

If you’d like a little razzle dazzle with your instruction, Celebrity TV chef Nick Nairn offers personalized attention in his classes limited to eight students. With the philosophy of allowing students to pick and choose classes, the Nick Nairn Cook School allows you to specialize in meats, vegetables, seafood and more. Between the Celebrity Chef Class, Master Class, Nick Nairn Class, Recreational Class and the Absolute Beginners Class, the school provides all levels of instruction, and with a wide choice of chefs (including Nick himself), there’s a wide range of expertise. The school also conveniently located, just 29 miles from Edinburgh Airport, and there are many fine Stirling hotels that put you conveniently close to the kitchen.

Home is where the Art Is: Famous Artists whose homes you can visit.

Believe it or not, even the world’s greatest artists once had homes, just like you and me. Okay, so some of their homes were a little nicer than ours. But since artists often find fame after their deaths, some are downright dreadful. Either way, many of the houses and buildings that artists once called home are now museums and seeing where and how an artist lived is a great way to find insight into their work.

Rembrandt van Rijn
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Little is known about the life of the most masterful of the Old Masters, and Amsterdam’s Museum het Rembrandthuis yields little in the way of biography. What is known is that this was the artist’s home between 1639 and 1658, a period when he created hundreds of paintings. What the museum lacks in historical detail it makes up for in its collection of art. Though you won’t find any Rembrandt paintings, you will find a great collection of his sketches which has been painstakingly gathered by the museum over the years. There are paintings by some of the artists who influenced Rembrandt, like his teacher Pieter Lastman, as well as some works by Rembrandt’s own star student, Ferdinand Bol, all of which help put Rembrandt’s work in context. There is, however, some history on the way, as the cesspool in the courtyard is undergoing an extensive excavation, revealing many historical secrets of the house. To easily visit the museum, there are plenty of Amsterdam hotels in the area.

Vincent van Gogh
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France and Auvers-sur-Oise, France

The first house that comes to mind when you think of Van Gogh is the yellow house in Arles. Sadly, the yellow house there now is a reproduction, as the original was destroyed by fire during World War II. Luckily we still have several other Van Gogh residences still intact. In fact, Saint-Rémy’s 12th century Monastery Saint-Paul-de-Mausole,  the sanitarium where Van Gogh had himself committed from May 1889 until May 1890, is minutes away from Arles. A tour of the place allows you to gaze out the window and see the fields where he painted “The Reaper” and the cypress trees where he painted “The Starry Night.” If you’d like to stay a little longer and check out the town’s Roman ruins, there are plenty of Saint-Rémy hotels. Forty-three kilometres north of Paris is Auvers, where, after finishing over 70 more paintings, including the masterpiece “Wheat Field with Crows,” Van Gogh took his own life. You can see the attic room where Vincent died at the Auberge Ravoux, and if you don’t want to make the trip back to Paris, you can stay at the Hôtel Château De Mery in nearby Méry-sur-Oise

Pablo Picasso
Málaga, Spain

Nine years before Van Gogh was busy dying, Picasso was busy being born in what is now known as the Casa Natal Picasso. Now home to a museum and to the headquarters of the Picasso Foundation, the 1861 building has been a historical monument since 1983. A monument to the life and work of Picasso, the Casa Natal Picasso displays artifacts from his early life, along with many works by the artist and his father, Jose Ruiz Blasco. There’s a library and Research Centre with lots of material on Picasso, as well as a treasure trove of his prints and ceramics and graphic art. The museum is also home to the work of over 200 contemporary artists, including Miró, Christo, Bacon, Ernst, Dokoupil, Guinovart and Moore. Contemporary Málaga are also well-represented. Evan with all of this art, the museum should not be confused with the Picasso Museum, which is located elsewhere in the city. If you’re looking for accommodation near the museum and close to the magnificent Málaga Cathedral, the Hotel del Pintor is just two blocks away.

Salvador Dalí
Cadaqués, Spain

Though Salvador Dalíspent much of his life traveling, the house now hosting the Casa Museu Salvador Dalí was his prime residence from 1930 until his wife’s death in 1982. This is where he lived and worked, and just a glance at the rocky Catalan landscape and blue Mediterranean waters attest to that, as they look like they come straight out of one of his paintings. Remaining as he left it in 1982, the house is more of an accurate reflection of the artist than many of the other artist homes, and you can still sense Dalí’s creative spirit throughout. The abstract painting on the door is not exactly Dalí’s. Legend has it that after local fishermen painted their boats, they were invited to clean their brushes on it. Seeing Dalí’s studio as he left it is a treat, as is the phallic-shaped swimming pool and his famous collection of mustaches.  The charming fishing village of Cadaqués is also a treat, and instead of rushing back to Barcelona, you might consider a stay in one of its hotels.

Auguste Rodin
Paris, France

Originally the Hôtel Biron, the great sculptor used this grand Parisian building as his residence after 1908. It’s hard to imagine the Musée Rodin as anything but a museum, as its open spaces and oversized windows make it a natural for this purpose. But perhaps that’s why Rodin liked it. Most of his significant creations are here, including the Kiss, the Gates of Hell and of course, the Thinker. Many can be seen in the natural setting of the surrounding parkland, which is also where you’ll find a lake and a restaurant. Check out the room dedicated to his student Camille Claudel. Check out the Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh paintings which came from his personal collection. On a sad note; after Rodin donated the sculptures, paintings and house to the French government, he fell on hard times. With no place to live, he asked to be able to stay in a single room in his former house. He was refused, and he ended up freezing to death in the cold Paris winter while his sculptures stayed warm inside. The Hôtel du Palais Bourbon offers a nice warm room just a half block from the museum.

Unique New Year’s Traditions Across Europe

Every country has its own way of ringing in the New Year, and Europe is no exception.  The largest capital cities tend to have equally large celebrations; however, the unique traditions and ceremonies vary from country to country.  Whether you are looking to celebrate with fireworks or a quiet night in, you will be able to find your ideal New Year’s Eve in Europe.

France

Parisian nightclubs are generally packed on New Year’s Eve (or, in French, “la Saint-Sylvestre.”)  The night is also commemorated with a lavish feast (typically including pancakes, foie gras and champagne) called “le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre” and a formal ball or “soirée dansante.”  The next day is the first of the year, or “Jour des Étrennes.”  It is marked with a gigantic parade through the streets of Paris that ends right under the Eiffel Tower.  Other activities include gift-giving, cruises down the River Seine, torchlight processions to pick grapes at midnight, and pranks among children (similar to the American April Fool’s Day) to honor a tradition called the “Poisson d’Avril.”

Recommended hotels in Paris: Hotel Elysees Mermoz, Adagio Paris Opéra

Italy

New Year’s Eve in Italy, or “La Festa di San Silvestro,” is a celebratory affair filled with food (especially lentils to symbolize money and good fortune, and pork to symbolize the richness of life in the upcoming year) and drink (a lot of prosecco, Italian sparkling wine.)  Fireworks, music and dancing also play major roles.  Big cities like Rome and Naples are hubs of excitement, and Bologna hosts the annual Fat Ox Fair.  In the southern part of the country, locals celebrate by throwing their old things out the window to ready themselves for a new year—and don’t forget to wear red underwear for luck!

Recommended hotels in Rome: Hotel Villa Pinciana, Navona Palace Residenze Di Charme

The Netherlands

Not surprisingly, the city of Amsterdam is a happening place on New Year’s Eve.  If you’re looking for a big party scene, definitely head here on “Old Year’s Evening” (which is what the locals call the holiday.)  Parties and nightclubs aside, the Netherlands has a handful of unique New Year’s traditions.  Locals typically spend the day visiting friends and family members and historically, men were required to eat and drink a glass of liquor at each home they visited.  Other distinctly Dutch traditions include burning Christmas trees, eating donuts (anything in the shape of a ring is thought to bring good fortune) and—most famously—diving into the freezing cold waters of the North Sea at noon.

Recommended hotels in Amsterdam: Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam, Hotel Estheréa

The UK

Like in other major cities around the globe, London rings in the New Year with a huge fireworks display.  Fancy restaurants and nightclubs are packed on New Year’s Eve, and many opt to take a cruise down the romantic River Thames.  Additionally, London hosts the largest fetish ball in Europe—the Torture Garden New Year’s Eve Ball—on the big night.  The next day, British locals celebrate in unique ways: the old customs of the “burning of the bush” and “first footing” are still followed in earnest.  The latter tradition states that the first male visitor to enter a house on New Year’s Day brings good luck (he also brings with him auspicious gifts, like bread or money.)  A blonde, red head or woman is not allowed to enter first.  Lastly, the UK has one of the world’s largest New Year parades.

Recommended hotels in London: Lancaster Gate Hotel, Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel

Germany

One of the most interesting New Year’s traditions in Germany is the custom of “Bleigiessen,” or the telling of fortunes.  Molten lead is dropped into cold water, and the shape it takes predicts the future of the person in question.  Locals also leave a bit of every food on the table until after midnight; this is thought to ensure plenty of food in the upcoming year.  Quirky customs aside, Germany celebrates the New Year as most other countries do: with eating (especially fish, lentils, cabbage and carrots for good luck), drinking and general merriment.  The giant celebration on New Year’s Eve is called “Brandenburger Tor,” and it is accompanied by fireworks and ringing church bells.

Recommended hotels in Berlin: Hotel California am Kurfürstendamm, Hampton by Hilton Berlin City West

Colorful, Cluttered, Curious: The Best Flea Markets in France

Sure, Paris and other major French cities are filled with high-end shops.  Designer fashions, expensive jewels and chain retailers are easy to come by throughout this chic European country.  However, if you’re a shopper who appreciates the unique or hard-to-find, do yourself a favor and get to one of France’s flea markets.  It is here that you may stumble upon one-of-a-kind collectables, fascinating antiques and incredible bargains—all while soaking up the local culture and atmosphere.

Porte de Vanves – Paris

One of the largest and most eclectic flea markets in France, this sprawling mall sets up shop every Saturday and Sunday.  It comprises over 300 vendor stalls near the Porte de Vanves metro stop.  Most stay until 1:00PM, and a great number stay even later.  From jumbled piles of various items to neatly organized rows, wares for sale represent the diversity of Paris itself.  Everything from vintage clothing to antique art to kitchenware is available at different price points and in varied conditions.  Looking for a great hotel in Paris?  Try the Hôtel Bedford or the Best Western Le Colisée.

Cours Saleya – Nice

From morning to mid-afternoon of every Monday in Nice, 200-odd flea market stalls set up along Cours Saleya.  The sunny, colorful street is the perfect venue for this flea market—a favorite among high-end shoppers and bargain-hunters alike.  If you fall into the latter category, definitely check out the adjacent Place Pierre Gauthier; this is where cheaper items for sale are piled on the ground.  Silver and ceramics (many from Monaco and Vallauris) and a great array of rustic wooden items, toys and jewelry are among the specialties.  What’s more, the market is easy to reach from many hotels in Nice.

Vieux Quartier – Annecy

If you happen to be in Annecy on the last Saturday of the month, head to the Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) to browse its flea market stalls.  They fill the neighborhood at the edge of picturesque Lac d’Annecy, adding a buzzing excitement to the usually tranquil atmosphere.  Although the monthly market is not as large as those in Paris and Nice, it is filled to the brim with fantastic buys.  Authentic Savoyard milk jugs and tools like butter molds, cheese-making implements and other kitchen items make unique souvenirs—and l’Impérial Palace and Allobroges Hôtel are wonderful Annecy hotels.

Allées Jules Guesde – Toulouse

Toulouse’s best flea market (near many of the best hotels in Toulouse) takes place on the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each month (except October.)  This is when high-quality stalls are set up along the Allées Jules Guesde, many covered by canopies that protect their precious wares.  Unlike other flea markets, the prices here are not low—however, the quality of the items for sale is often higher as well.  Look out for rustic collectables, decorative items, vintage riding gear and rugby memorabilia, and lovely ceramics and linens from the Pays Basque region.

Villeurbanne – Lyon

Every Sunday morning, the charming town of Villeurbanne (located just outside of Lyon’s vibrant city centre) draws locals and tourists to its gigantic flea market.  With around 400 vendors, it is one of the largest in France.  Sellers offer various items on makeshift tables, spread out on blankets, and in more professional-looking stalls.  It is easy to find antique collectables including paintings and books as well as unique kitchenware like winemaking tools and chocolate molds.  Toys, furniture and vintage clothing are also available and many great Lyon hotels are located nearby.

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon – Avignon

Right across the River Rhone from central Avignon, you will find the quaint town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.  Among its various attractions, the area counts a popular flea market that takes place each Saturday morning.  Every week, you can expect to find from 80 to 100 vendors selling everything from upmarket antiques to bargain trinkets.  There is an obvious focus on items manufactured in Provence: Provençal ceramics, bed linens, agricultural tools and garden pots are popular among locals and tourists alike.  Recommended hotels in Avignon include the Avignon Grand Hotel and the Citéa Avignon.

Subterranean Europe

Yes, winter comes even to the beaches of St. Tropez and the coves of Crete turning the 24-hour summer sunlight of Iceland into perpetual darkness. But why wait for the sun to go away when you can go away from the sun? The fact is that some of the most amazing sights in Europe are underground!

Dan-yr-Ogof, Wales

For example, some of the most beautiful caves on the continent can be found in south Wales. Seventeen kilometres of caves make Dan yr Ogof one of Wales’s most popular attractions and, according to a 2005 Radio Times poll, the greatest natural wonder in England. Rich colors, colossal stalactites and stalagmites dazzle the eyes, while the bones of many animals and 42 human beings unfortunate to get lost in the caves awaken the imagination. Hardcore cavers can enjoy the whole of the cave system, but the regular tourist can still expect an amazing experience in the first section, which is the only one open to non-cavers. For natural wonders above ground, the caves are set within the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, and when it’s time to bed down on something softer than rock, there are also many nearby hotels in the town of Brecon.

Catacombes de Paris, Paris

If you think the streets of Paris are crowded, wait until you see what’s under the streets. The ossuary known as the Catacombes de Paris contains the bones of hundreds of thousands of Parisians, all stacked in the most creative patterns. When the city’s graveyards ran out of space, the bones were dug up and relocated in the tunnels remaining from the ancient stone mines beneath the city, and tourists have been flocking to see this ghastly yet whimsical sight since 1867. Though the bones fill just a fraction of the 300 kilometres of tunnel, it can be quite overwhelming, and just a fraction of the ossuary is open to the public. The bones are organized into the cemeteries from which they came and in some cases, the catacombs allow you to revisit historical events. Like the riots leading up to the French Revolution in the Place de Grève, Hôtel de Brienne, and Rue Meslée, whose dead were put in their own section on 28 and 29 August 1788. The entrance is at the Place Denfert-Rochereau, and the closest hotel is the Hôtel Du Midi Paris Montparnasse.

Sacromonte, Granada

If you’re looking for something a little livelier, how about some underground Flamenco dancing, accompanied by a great meal and some sangria? That’s what you’ll find when you visit the section of Granada known as Sacromonte. Set high over the city, Sacromonte offers spectacular views of the Alhambra and the Albaicín on the outside, but it’s inside its famous caves that Sacromonte sizzles. Sacromonte’s residents have been living in caves for centuries, and the area’s shops, restaurants, bars and Flamenco houses are also set in caves. Of course the caves are now equipped with electricity, plumbing and all the other modern comforts, making them more desirable than the city’s houses, as they’re cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Though you can stay in Sacromonte hotels, the lion’s share of Granada hotels are down the hill, but most will set you up with shuttles to take you to the Flamenco shows.

Beneath Rome

If you want to see why Rome is called the Eternal City, you must go underneath. And with the archeological research group Rome Sotterranea now opening their adventures to the public, you can see sights that haven’t been widely seen for centuries, if not longer. Beautiful temples and mosaics live in the dark beside still-active sewers that have been processing the city’s refuse for millennia. Beneath the Coliseum are the skulls of tigers, giraffes, bears, and other animals used in the shows. Beneath the 12^th century Basilica of San Clemente are the remnants of a 4^th century Basilica and the 1^st century Temple of Mithras. Rome Sotterranea also offers tailor-made guided tours through sites like ancient aqueduct pipes, the Emissary of Nemi Lake and the secret passages beneath Villa Adriana. But be sure to make your reservation early (visite@romasotterranea.it), as they require at least 15 days in order to obtain permits for these very special sites. Chances are you’ll remember the ancient sewers every time you use the bathroom in your Rome hotel.

Škocjan Caves, Slovenia

Far from Wales but just south of Ljubljana, in the beautiful region of Kras is where you’ll find a network of caves so beautiful that they’ve been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Škocjan Caves, visited by 100,000 people a year are a must-see for visitors to the capital city. Formed by the Reka River going underground and staying underground for 34 kilometres, the caves themselves are 3.5 kilometres long, 10 to 60 metres wide and over 140 metres high. The largest of the many chambers created by the water is Martel’s Chamber, which boasts an awesome 2.2 million cubic metres, making it the largest underground chamber in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Don’t miss the awesome sight of the river disappearing into the ground, and don’t miss the steps that were cut to the bottom of Velika Dolina back in 1819.  The caves are not far from the Italian border and the city of Trieste, and they’re even closer to the hotels of Ljubljana.

Fly Right Into A Convenient Airport Hotel!

The ideal European holiday typically involves a lot of down time—leisurely afternoons in which to shop and tour art museums, nights solely dedicated to fine dining and drinking, and late mornings free of business obligations.  However, sometimes this indulgent experience is simply not possible.  For those occasions when one needs to travel in and out as quickly as possible, nothing beats an airport hotel.  Here are the five busiest airports in Europe, and the best hotels near their terminals:

London Heathrow Airport

The largest airport in the United Kingdom actually handles more international passengers than any other in the world.  Whether you are visiting London or just passing through, chances are high that you will land in London Heathrow.  The airport is actually located in the Borough of Hillingdon, 14 miles (22km) west of Central London.  However, that does not mean that hotels near London Heathrow Airport are not great home bases from which to explore the city!  Try the elegant Arora Hotel Heathrow, or the reliable Holiday Inn London Heathrow.

Paris – Charles de Gaulle Airport

Situated to the northeast of Paris, this bustling aviation centre is the principle hub for Air France.  It therefore handles a lot of international traffic; in fact, it is the second busiest airport in Europe.  Paris – Charles de Gaulle Airport (also known as Roissy Airport) can be found within several communes 16 miles (25km) to the northeast of the city centre.  The Pullman Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel and other hotels near Charles de Gaulle Airport are therefore convenient places to stay.

Frankfurt Airport

The busiest airport for passenger traffic in Germany is undoubtedly Frankfurt’s, located 7.5 miles (12km) southwest of the city center.  Additionally, Frankfurt Airport is close to several other important destinations.  The city of Cologne, Stuttgart and the Ruhr Area may all be reached within two hours by ground transportation.  Therefore, the greatest hotels near Frankfurt Airport (like the NH Frankfurt Airport and the Sheraton Frankfurt Hotel & Towers Conference Center) are excellent places to stop along the way.

Madrid – Barajas Airport

Since first opening in 1928, Madrid – Barajas Airport has grown to be the fourth busiest in Europe.  Unlike other international hubs of aviation, Barajas is actually located within the limits of its namesake city.  It can be found 5.6 miles (9km) from the financial district, and 8.1 miles (13km) from Puerta del Sol (the historic centre of Madrid.)  Hotels near Barajas Airport, including the upscale Clement Barajas and the more affordable Hostal El Cruce, are quite close to local tourist attractions.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Whether you prefer a 4-star establishment like the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel or an economical option like the Yotel Schiphol Airport, you will find your ideal home base among hotels near Schiphol Airport.  The major hub of international transportation is actually located in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, 5.6 miles (9.1km) southwest of Amsterdam.  It can be reached in 20 minutes by car or public transportation, and is therefore quite close to business centers and tourist attractions.