cafebabel.com

Wine production in Georgia: ‘passport to civilised world’

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:14:28 -0000

If you are thinking of going on a wine-tasting holiday, skip the south of France and head to the Caucausus. Wine tourism and industry is booming in Georgia, as it is largely supported by the current government

India: country for European yogi?

('Buzz',) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:02:37 -0000

Five European tourists and expatriates in Bangalore, the new 'Silicon Valley' of India, and Mysore in Karnataka, yoga capital of the south, tell us why they have come to India and if reality has lived up to their expectations

I like Mostar: are there really no tourists who want to go to Bosnia?

('Monica Mircescu',) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:37:19 -0000

Mostar and I go back a long way. Ours is the story of a missed encounter – in 1998. Fast forward to September 2011: cafebabel.com organises the annual network meeting in Dubrovnik. On learning that the city is only 150 kilometres away from Mostar, I decide to revisit the city I never reached

German tourists in Scotland: Scotch malt at airport and haggis for breakfast

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:32:23 -0000

German holiday-makers come to Scotland for a variety of reasons: for a sip (or several) of the water of life, to trace the steps of history in crumbling, misty castles – or simply because the flights to Iceland were too expensive. Whatever their reasons, a German's visit to Caledonia is often shaped by a few key food and drink experiences. Musings of a Scottish tour guide

Cannabis legalisation: shopping for reality in Vienna

('Naomi R',) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:00:18 -0000

The Austrian capital has one 'head shop' for 100, 000 residents. It's perfect for cannabis amateurs, especially as the business is now commercial and legal, though smoking it in public is still not legal

Berliners: foreigners, stop boozing on the cheap in our city!

('hkeet',) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:17:31 -0000

In the Berlin borough of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain people are celebrating for all it's worth. More and more tourists are cavorting in the cheap cocktail bars, the parks and in the streets. The locals are fed up and are stirring up opinion. Stag dos, pub crawls, behaving obnoxiously: is Berlin the new Mallorca?

Seven (wonder) tips to visit post-revolution Egypt

('Daiva Repe\xc4\x8dkait\xc4\x97',) — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:22:45 -0000

A halt in tourism, which constitutes 11% of the country's GDP and allows over a half of Egypt's employed population to have service sector jobs, badly harmed the quality of life for many ordinary Egyptians. Scared of the turmoil following the 18-day revolution in late January, the usual number of 14 million tourists avoided Egypt for weeks - but that should change

Join the family business in Crete

('Monica Mircescu',) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:44:00 -0000

According to a study conducted by Philomila Tsoukala, a lecturer at Georgetown University, 75% of Greek companies are family-owned, and even then, youths start earning a living between the ages of 30-35. What's going on?

'Magic Lives Here': Bulgarians disagree with pan-European tourism advert

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:07:32 -0000

One sleepy morning the oriental sounds coming from an advert on a European news channel jolted us awake. The 30-second spot promotes Bulgaria abroad. Or does it, with its beach volleyball and flying skiers amidst sunrises and sunsets? Four natives react

Staycation: welcoming 'typical tourist' guiris in Mediterranean Spain

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:59:43 -0000

A calm, peaceful town is suddenly heaving with people. The streets are full of walking parasols, hammocks and beach mats, the tourists are practically naked, there are cars everywhere and the summer hit (Shakira, anyone?) sounds day and night. Summer's here - so are the foreigners

'Branding Romania' scandal: next step, brand Roma?

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:30:00 -0000

Romania's brand, funded by EU money, was finally launched at the Romanian pavilion at the Shanghai world expo on 29 July – though the 'Explore the Carpathian garden' campaign hasn't (yet) gone down a treat

Not going on holiday? You're on 'staycation'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:00:00 -0000

It seems an eternity, but the financial crisis is only just celebrating its second birthday. The US has spawned a side effect phenomenon, a neat little neologism called the 'staycation'. The term contradicts the notion of going away on 'vacation'. People can't afford holidays and are 'staying' home. Is it clear enough?

'Come to Romania': quest to brand Bucharest

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:15:32 -0000

Forging a skate culture, redesigning lei banknotes and offering a story to tourists, aside from the palace of parliament hotspot, the result of dictator Ceaucescu's tearing down a third of the city in communist times. These are just some of the ideas to boost the image and GDP of a crisis-riddled country

Popping into Chinatown in Manchester

('Ana D',) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:13:09 -0000

Known as a Chinese village of north England, the neighbourhood is one of the most peculiar in Manchester, being the second largest tourist spot of England after London. One of the odd distinguishing factors of multiculturalism is the local community enclosed in its borders

Swedish royal wedding: boosting neither tourism nor young spirits

('Emilie Prattico',) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:40:49 -0000

Victoria Bernadotte, the 32-year-old heiress to the throne, will wed commoner Daniel Westling, 36, in the capital's cathedral on 19 June. Despite the smorgasbord of fun on display in Stockholm, the widespread feeling amongst Swedes and expats is that the merriment is wasteful and annoying

Visit Marrakech

('theroxbox',) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:00:00 -0000

One of the most cosmopolitan cities in North Africa has almost a million inhabitants, large numbers of whom are condemned to poverty, but the former imperial city is a convincing modern city at the foot of the Atlas mountains

Escaping tourists: moving from Oranienstrasse to Neukölln in Berlin

('Andrew Christie',) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:04:11 -0000

As the former cult quarter of Kreuzberg suddenly blossoms into a tourist trap, hardened Berliners are taking to the hills in the search for authenticity. The story of a relocation from cafebabel's babelblogs

Prostitutes and tourists: exploring the doorways of Jozsefvaros, Budapest

('Alex Jackson',) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:50:49 -0000

As massive redevelopment rumbles on through the recession, it’s smaller-scale initiatives that are really preserving the integrity of Budapest’s infamous district

Guide: the curiosity of Tel Aviv's dog, gay and religious beaches

('Daiva Repe\xc4\x8dkait\xc4\x97',) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:13:30 -0000

A lowdown on the rules - or lack of - to alternately abide by at neighouring sections of the city's 14km stretch of coastline

European bloggers describe their Berlin walls

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:20:11 -0000

Monday is 9 November, the day when the Berlin wall was brought down. To reflect on this iconic modern historical event for the eurogeneration, citizen journalists from five cafebabel.com local teams - Sofia, Budapest, Turin, Strasbourg and Istanbul - simultaneously blogged one day about the walls they see in their cities

Evora, where life bumps to a different rhythm than in Lisbon

('Darren Thompson',) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0000

The economic development of the Alentejo region of the country poses the same problem faced by many Mediterranean countries. How can innovation and tradition survive side-by-side?

Berlin craze: tourists shun sights for ‘Kiez’ experience

('Annie Rutherford',) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The metropolis attracts more visitors than any other German city with almost 18 million overnight stays in 2008. But tourism is no longer about taking in the typical sights: tourists are now taking over ‘Kiez’ (city neighbourhoods) and bikes which, until now, were exclusively secrets for the capital’s residents

100 years of Europe's nature parks

('Astrid vW',) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:20:04 -0000

In 2009 the first nature parks protected by the European Union will be 100 years old. Cafebabel has spoken with six people linked to these spaces in different European countries. Conservation or development? The debate lives on

On the road in a misunderstood country: tips for Albania

('Darren Thompson',) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:03:05 -0000

The most difficult aspect for travellers to this Eastern European country, which is about one quarter the size of England, is getting hold of a guide that speaks English. Despite this, with 400km of coastline, lakes and picturesque villages, Albania has something to offer for those in search of authenticity

South Italy tempts its tourists back

('Miriam Franchina',) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:00:00 -0000

In recent years the South of Italy has witnessed a decline in its tourist industry. Now, tourists are returning to hidden spots such as the awe-inspiring Castelvenere grotto, said to be the birthplace of Cupid. A guided visit into oblivion

Greek islands resist fire and cement

('Darren Thompson',) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:39:19 -0000

The Greek islands, so popular among tourists, appear to be surviving the threat posed by excessive construction, something which distinguishes them from their European neighbours. Yet resistance on the islands is not mirrored elsewhere in the country, as urbanisation eats into land susceptible to wild fires

Road trip to... Mont Saint-Michel!

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Two Italians, a Ukrainian, a Chinese woman and a Frenchman in a Citroen Berling. An account of the roadtrip spent in enthusiastic discovery of the famous Mont Saint-Michel, source of pride for France and a cause of rivalry between Brittany and Normandy

Country life, the good life? Rural Italian holidays

('Mary Maistrello',) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:00:00 -0000

The busy beaches of Ibiza, Polynesia or the Seychelles are no longer the obvious tourist destinations. Times have changed, and travellers are demanding something different from their holidays. What could be better than immerion in nature, with plenty of wine and farm-fresh food to hand?

Parisian for a day

('Hayley Wood',) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0000

A group of native Parisians is helping visitors to discover another side to the capital; and it's free. A world away from tourist buses and sightseeing river boats, we catch a glimpse of the bars and gardens of a hidden Montmartre

Marmite and co: disgustingly debatable foods in western Europe

('Joss Corner',) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:00:00 -0000

Travelling around Europe, you’re never safe from a bad gastronomic surprise, be it vegetable yeast spread, bull’s tail, pig’s head paté, mushroom spread and much more ... brace your guts. Plus, a recipe for stewed oxtail

Why Swedes go next door to Denmark to buy alcohol

('Andrew Christie',) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:47:15 -0000

The Swedes are notorious for their heavy drinking; its government has been trying to counter the problem since the 19th century

The world in an Eau de Cologne bottle

('Darren Thompson',) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

It’s no lucky mistake; Eau de Cologne, or Cologne, world renowned for centuries, has benefitted from the ideal geographical location of the city that has given the perfume its name. At the heart of Europe, Cologne is putting the finishing touches to its strategy to form international links

Visit Noirlac Abbey in central France

('Jonny S',) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:00:00 -0000

This Cistercian abbey, nestled in the centre of France surrounded by trees and farmland, welcomes caravans and European tourists interested in art, architecture and music

Albania: polit-tourism between coves and concrete beach bunkers

('Andrew Christie',) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

At the confluence of the Adriatic and Ionean Seas lies Albania, Europe’s last undiscovered paradise is now looking to tourism to stimulate its economy and is hoping for a better image in the west after having joined Nato and put in an EU bid. 20 years after the fall of the dictatorship, Albania is developing into a hidden gem for independent travellers

Hospitality club online: crashing Europe's couches

('Lydia Bigos',) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:59:02 -0000

The internet social networking site that spans five continents connects homes all over the world for free, provides a cultural exchange and also the chance to save a few pennies

British and French tourists behave badly

('Andrew Burgess',) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:45:00 -0000

A cross-portrait of the two worst European performers, after two alarming reports published in August confirm an inconvenient truth

European beaches, from the Croatian islands to the Black Sea

('Mary Maistrello',) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:37:02 -0000

Crossing via the urban sands of northern Europe to the fun-filled southern Salentine peninsula – there is a stretch for all those who want to try something new, even in the capital

Touring my city - the real Budapest

('Judit Schv\xc3\xa9ger',) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:24:41 -0000

Tour of the eighth district, Józsefváros, in Hungary’s city centre

Photos: Santa Cruz life-size in Seville

('Andrew Burgess',) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0000

The district of Santa Cruz in the old centre is like a miniature Spain colourfully displayed by the numerous rare buildings of such imposing beauty. A genuine museum of Hispanic folklore

Drinking trademark Budweiser beer in Bohemia

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Czech beer came to the world’s attention again in April after a century-old dispute with the US over the naming rights to its Budweiser beer was settled in a Luxembourg court

Åland - å land neither Finnish nor Swedish

('Angela Steen',) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The 26, 000 islanders of this archipelago neighbouring Finland have the power to shape the future of Europe

Do the French top German cuisine?

('Andrew Pritchard',) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Major names in the cookery world have backed France’s application to UNESCO to have its cuisine listed as a world heritage item. In multicultural Germany, the idea is stirring up mixed reactions

Eyewitness: Tibet out of control

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

As the tension between the Tibetan monks versus Chinese control escalates, we hear a 25-year-old Swiss tourist's version of events after a week in the capital, Lhasa

Batman, goats and internet in Cavas do Monte, Portugal

('Martyn Hawkins',) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The living conditions in the north Portuguese mountaintops of S. Pedro do Sul have hardly changed in hundreds of years. Bit by bit, however, the uniting, modernising world is moving in, and the children are moving out

Cuba: backstreet with an escape route

('Erin Woycik',) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

In the first of our ‘rock and backpack’ series, we discover Havana - the cultural centre of a Cuba in which everyone has the ability to produce something, but few express themselves

St. Patrick's Day: drowning the shamrock in Dublin

('Angela Steen',) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Alcohol, religion and fireworks - we swoop over Dublin on 17 March, feast (and party) day of the patron saint of Ireland

Strasbourg is bikes

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

With the inauguration of the TGV to Strasbourg, the city is staking its claim for modernity and the environment. The bicycle rules in this city that wants to overtake Fribourg as model of sustainable growth

Albania - El Dorado for tour operators

('Kate Martin',) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Insular for a long time, Albania has not always been a prime destination for travel agents. The current tourist craze for the Adriatic could benefit this little country on the Yugoslav peninsula

Turkish taxi through Berlin

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

In a beige Mercedes with a yellow and black taxi sign on the roof and leather seats, the destination is the Berlin of yesterday, today and tomorrow

Rome's invisible taxis

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Third in our summer series tracking Europe's taxi drivers, where finding a taxi in the eternal city is like trying to find a needle in a haystack