Europe

Holland – Contiki European Horizon


*Apologies for the lack of images. I seemed to have misplaced them. Sigh…

After leaving England and travelling to France via Dover Cove and the English Channel and driving through Belgium, you arrive at your first destination of Amsterdam (what a way to start a trip!). After you check-in to the hostel and have dinner you’re off to a river cruise through Amsterdam where you can enjoy some beverages while seeing the city from the river. Once you disembark you’re off to the red light district!

In the legendary red light district, there is a great mix of bars, cafe, nightclubs, and… well… alley ways where lady companions can be purchased for a few hours. All joking aside, it is important to be careful at all times and not to get too inebriated, although for the most part it is a safe area with a lot of people around. For those looking to ‘smoke’ be sure to check the laws as they recently changed making it more restrictive. A great article on the subject is available here.

As fun as partying in Amsterdam is, please be sure to be coherent enough to enjoy the rest of the city the next day. It is only respectful to experience both sides of the city, including the Anne Frank Museum which will quickly put things back in perspective after a sinful night out.

No fear though, next you’re off to the Rhine Valley in Germany where your ability to party is quite limited…

Europe

VisitBritain’s LoveWall

A fun execution by VisitBritain is currently running that allows users to crowdsource (crowdvote?) the things that they love about Great Britain.  Similar to Reddit, users can upvote different locations and experiences that Great Britain offers in over a dozen different categories like Film and Tv, Culture, Coutryside, and Royals.  This wall is a great tool for anybody planning to visit Great Britain as it allows users to quickly see what the most popular experiences/locations are based on input from thousands of different users.

 

Europe

Zipline from Spain to Portugal

A new zipline that connects Sanlucar de Guadiana, in Andalucia, Spain, to Alcoutim, in Algarve, Portugal was launched in 2013 by Limite Zero. Limite Zero is a project of Englishman David Jarman, which offers those who dare a 2,362-foot-long zipline crosses the Guadiana River at 50 feet above sea level reaching speeds of up to 45mph.

How it works:
A 4×4 takes you to the departing platform, set near Spain’s San Marco Castle, and in less than a minute, you arrive on the Portuguese side, no passport required. (Speeds can reach up to 45 miles per hour.) A short walk takes you to Alcoutim village, where a small passenger ferry awaits anyone who needs a ride back to Spain; fare is included in the 20 euro price.

Europe

Save Money in Ireland via B&Bs

This is from Redditor u/IrishSchmirish.

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Firstly, I don’t own or have any interests in any B&Bs.

I hate when I see tourists staying at soulless hotels dotted around motorways. I don’t know if it’s the same in other countries but, in Ireland we have really high quality Bed & Breakfasts that cost a third of the price of a shit hotel. They’re often family owned and run by people who REALLY care that you enjoy your stay. They have their homes and livelihoods invested in that.

I have had so many great experiences:

  • The owner of a B&B I stayed at in Limerick had a daughter that worked for a large US airline. I was travelling on that airline the following week. She rang her daughter to, and no word of a lie, “put in a good word” for me. I was upgraded to firstclass. Mental.
  • Another B&B owner fucking serviced my car!! Well, he did an oil change and checked the brakes etc.. He’s a mechanic and was doing his kid’s car so did mine as well

You often meet crazy/funny/lovely/honest people running these places and to me they represent the best we have.
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