BY Ariana SmithOct 21, 2021

There are few parts of the world as diverse as Europe. From the waterways of Venice to the 100 spires of Prague, there are so many places for you and your other half to explore. There are couples city breaks ideal for every couple; including the party couples and the history buff couples. That being said, there are five cities that we think are particularly worth a visit for romantic couples, so if you and your significant other are looking for an amorous break in Europe, keep reading. Here Are The Top 5 Romantic European City Breaks: 1. Verona: When it comes to romantic couples, Romeo and Juliet take the top spot, and naturally, that makes the city of fair Verona a romantic must-see, but there’s more to it than just that balcony. There are countless lover’s lanes, an abundance of piazza’s, plenty of architectural bridges, and, the star of the show, the amphitheater. There’s so much to see and do away from the huge crowds at Juliet’s balcony, including plenty of independent cafés dotting the many piazza’s, lots of which supply the regional wine. 2. Paris: This wouldn’t be a list of romantic European city breaks without featuring Paris. The city of love certainly lives up to its reputation, but it’s not all just about the Eiffel Tower. A huge part of the romance comes from the beautiful architecture which is limited to just six stories. This means the views of the Eiffel Tower are never obscured, but also that you’re never overshadowed by a huge skyscraper, adding to the comforting sunrise and sunset glows. Away from the architecture, Parisians are known for being very flirtatious and passionate lovers, and this is exuded in the way they conduct themselves. This could be why when in Paris, you can’t help but fall even more in love with your partner. 3. London: The River Thames at night is a sight to behold, especially when you consider it was the backdrop to a Bridget Jones’s Diary scene. London is slightly different from other cities in Europe in the sense that it’s not traditionally associated with romance, but there’s something about the variety of things to do in London that makes it a lover’s paradise. Whether it’s a trip to the West End for the theatre-loving couple, or if it’s a Jack the Ripper tour for the true-crime fanatics, London has something for everyone. 4. Krakow: Christmas is a magical time of the year, especially for those who are lucky enough to be in love, so what better time to cement your devotion to each other than with a trip to the cozy Christmas markets of Krakow? You’ll need to wrap up warm and stick together to preserve heat as the temperature drops, but what could be more poignant than sharing a cup of mulled wine whilst huddling against the person you love the most at the best time of the year? 5. Stockholm: The jewel in the Baltic Sea archipelago, Stockholm is one of the most stunning locations in the world. The 14 islands are connected via over 50 bridges, each one leading to a different activity that you can enjoy with your love. Whether your partner is an ABBA superfan or a 17th-century ship enthusiast, there’s an activity to bring every couple closer together. If you visit during a particularly clear time of the year, you might even be able to share a kiss under the northern lights provided the conditions are just right! These are just five of the most romantic city breaks in Europe, but there are many more places of interest waiting to be discovered. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Where should couples go in Europe? The top 4 places that a couple can visit for a romantic vacation are Venice- Italy Paris- France  Sintra- Portugal Santorini- Greece   Which is the most romantic place in Europe? Dubrovnik- Croatia, ideal for island hopping. Madrid- Spain, ideal for rooftop drinking  Viena- Austria, ideal for a wintery break Dublin- Ireland, ideal for revelry What is the cheapest city break in Europe? Sofia- Bulgaria  Funchal- Portugal Riga- Latvia Bucharest- Romania  Read Also: 5 European Destinations Negatively Impacted By ‘Over-Tourism 5 Backpacking Tips For An Unforgettable Euro-Trip Unmissable Attractions In Surabaya Pripyat Visit Or The Soviet Union Through Our Eyes

BY Ariana SmithFeb 20, 2021

Europe is a jewel of a continent. From the west to the east, no country is the same as the last, with each nation having its own unique customs, architecture, and must-see attractions. Traveling across Europe is fairly easy thanks to the fact the vast majority of it is landlocked, meaning it’s common for people to travel across the continent on an extended break rather than simply visiting one country and then coming back to visit another the following year. Whilst traveling from country to the country might seem effortless, there are a number of things you need to be aware of. When traveling to somewhere in Europe such as Ireland, make sure to book a reputable airport transfer company in advance. If you’re thinking of traveling across Europe, make sure you keep these 10 tips in mind before your trip commences. 1. Currency Changes: Time zone changes are a given, but currency changes aren’t. You’d be forgiven for thinking that most European countries use the Euro, but they don’t. Not every country on the continent of Europe is in the EU (such as the UK, Norway, and Turkey). Regardless of whether a country is the European Union, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to use the Euro. Such countries include: Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Hungary Poland Romania Sweden It’s always worth keeping Euro with you as some countries that don’t normally use the Euro will accept it as a form of payment, but you should be mindful of the currency of the countries you’re going to be visiting and make a note of the exchange rates. 2. Opening Hours (Siestas) Depending on where you’re from and where you’re going, you’ll likely encounter different opening hours to what you’re used to. This mainly applies to hot countries like Spain where it’s traditional for the locals to take a siesta during the hottest part of the day. This results in many businesses closing at noon for two hours. In tourist hotspots and resort areas, this might not be the case as businesses attempt to maximize profits, but in hidden gem areas that are off the beaten track, it’s more likely that this long-term tradition will be adhered to. So, you need to make sure you’re aware of closing times and societal opening hours before you’re caught short and in need of urgent supplies but can’t get any. 3. Temperature Changes: Europe is a very varied continent that spans over 1,339 miles from the east to the west and 2,076 miles from north to south. Whilst it’s one of the smallest continents on Earth, it encompasses sub-arctic and desert landscapes all in one. If you’re planning on traveling from the west to the east, or the north to the south, you’re likely to experience all of these temperatures during your trip, so you need to pack accordingly. Whilst you might be okay wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals in Rome, you will most definitely want sturdy boots, wooly mittens, and a big parka coat by the time you get to Russia. The last thing you want is to freeze (or melt) and have to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe for every country you visit. 4. Pack Light: We’ve just said to pack for every eventuality, but in the same breath, pack light. Europe is full of narrow streets, winding roads, and dainty amenities, and that can make lugging two 20kg suitcases extremely difficult. You’re more than likely going to be taking several types of transport and constantly be moving from place to place, so the last thing you want is to pack up your entire life every other week and drag it along some impractically small cobbled streets. Instead, take two of everything, with enough fresh underwear to last a week. That means two jumpers, two pairs of jeans, two skirts/shorts, two dresses, etc. There will be plenty of launderettes around to wash your clothes for you, and whilst going to the launderette every week might not sound too pleasant, neither does dragging your whole wardrobe down the winding, single file, cobbled streets of Greece. 5. Travel By Ground: Europe is – mostly – a landlocked mass (with the exception of some islands and parts of Scandinavia). Europeans also rely heavily on trains to get to and from places, and this means the countries are typically well connected by railway lines. If you’re planning to travel across Europe, do so by train as much as you can. It’s cheap, it’s fast and it gives you the chance to take in much more of the natural beauty the continent is home to. If you’re going to be traveling to islands like the UK and those in the Mediterranean, ferries are an option that is still often cheaper than flying. When it comes to getting to hard-to-reach locations, taxis are your friend. Whether you opt for Uber or an independent company like Place2Place, taxis are rife in Europe and easy enough to hail down. Once you get to your destination, you may wish to rent a car with the help of a site like StressFreeCarRental.com to give you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace and go exactly where it is you would like to. 6. Comfortable Shoes: As mentioned, Europe is home to many narrow streets, cobbled roads, and elevated inclinations. There’s a LOT of walking to be done, so make sure you pack a comfy pair of trainers or flats because this is one continent where – no matter where you are – you won’t be able to appreciate it in a pair of heels. 7. Reservations: Most of Europe is flooded by tourists at any given time of the year which results in almost every restaurant being rammed almost all of the time. If you’re a spontaneous diner, you’ll need to change your ways – and fast. Europeans work on a basis of reservations. You might even need to reserve a seat in a bar because it gets so busy! Make sure to call up a day in advance to book your place, otherwise, you’ll find yourself eating a McDonald’s instead of a traditional local delicacy, and that would be a complete waste of a trip. 8. Tap Water: Depending on where you go, tap water in Europe varies, so it’s best to stay away from it. Bottled water is incredibly destructive to the environment, but tap water in Europe could be incredibly destructive to your digestive system, so it’s all about weighing up the risks. By this, we mean the number of minerals in the water can change drastically which could cause nausea or diarrhea. It’s important to remember the tap water in Europe is perfectly safe to drink and is strictly monitored, but it can vary from place to place which means your stomach could get a little upset by it. This is something to keep in mind. 9. Food Tourist Traps: Earlier we mentioned making reservations, but it’s also important to note to avoid food tourist traps. Major attractions will be dotted with eateries and coffee shops, and whilst they’re practical, they’re also double the price and half the quality of other local places. Venture just a bit further out and you’ll find some beautiful places full of local delicacies that are much better prepared and much more reasonably priced. 10. Flight Compensation (EC 261): In the event you do travel by air across Europe, the good news is, you’re covered by EC 261 which is a flight compensation scheme. If your flight is delayed by three hours or more, is canceled or if you’re denied boarding, you’re entitled to compensation and the airline must provide accommodation where necessary. This applies to all flights taking off or landing in European countries, regardless of if the airline does not belong to an EU member state. This is a nice little bit of protection should things take a turn for the worst. If you are looking for great day tour options, then booking someone like Collins Day Tours is a great idea. These are just 10 tips for traveling across Europe, but the biggest tip of all is to HAVE FUN! Read Also: Top 5 Romantic European City Breaks 5 European Destinations Negatively Impacted By ‘Over-Tourism Top 3 Party Destinations For Safety-Conscious Tourists

BY Ariana SmithSep 14, 2017

When it comes to Europe, there are scores of awesome European destinations one can travel to. The vast continent holds such charm and enigma that tourists can’t help but make plans of backpacking through it. And with air travel so cheap these days, absolutely anyone and everyone can book cheap flights these days. But before you decide to venture into Europe, read on to know about a few very popular places which have been adversely affected by tourism. It’s not just all tourism, it’s the overzealous and intrusive type of tourism which these places are fed up of. Many have even put up quite a few restrictions on visiting tourists. Even if you’re not the pesky kind of tourist, you will still be counted among them and more likely than not, be frowned upon. So make sure you go through the following list of places before you embark on that European trip. 5 European Destinations Negatively Impacted By ‘Over-Tourism: 1. Barcelona: The residents of Barcelona in Spain have been so fed up of tourists that there is now a group called Arran which indulges in violence against visitors to the scenic place. The anti-tourist group is known to have broken windshields of vehicles and hotels the tourists are using, and there have also been instance s of them slashing the tyres of tourist cars. There was a demonstration held a while back where they displayed placards which said that Barcelona wasn’t for sale. If you still want a Spanish getaway, then Valencia is a better alternative within the same country. Or you could head to Prague in the Czech Republic. Rabat in Morocco is a great alternative as well. 2. Rome: After a huge public outcry about the behavior of tourists around the famous landmarks of Rome, the mayor had to issue a tough decree. According to the diktat, tourists will be fined if they are found picnicking on the pedestals of Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain or even if found paddling in it. The Italian culture minister even suggested that the number of tourists visiting the 51 World Heritage Sites in Rome be limited. These epic landmarks are what make up the incredible history of Rome and the utmost care must be taken by tourists to not litter the area. Much of these similar problems are being faced by Milan as well which has gone so far as to even ban the selfie stick. If you do land up in Rome, have respect for the local sentiments and take care not to insult these historical monuments. 3. Venice: The scenic locale of Venice is way past its breaking point when it comes to tolerating the ill effects of tourism. Millions head to Venice each year taking with them cruise ships and terrible pollution. While there are scores of tourist establishments in Venice, there is only a handful which caters to non-tourists. There are just about two theaters left in this once-bustling magnificent city. While Venice is a popular destination to head to with your beloved, you could alternatively head to other equally charming locales such as Pompeii, Lake Iseo, and Procida. There is also the offbeat Alleppy in Kerala which is called Venice of the East, and with good reason, which you could visit. 4. Amsterdam: Awesome Amsterdam has so much going for it that it has remained one of the topmost favorite places to visit in the world. This colorful cosmopolitan paradise has been uniquely designed in a way which lets you explore all possible corners of the place by setting out on foot or a bicycle. The city is famous for its relaxed rules and this is what is causing part of the tourist problem Amsterdam is facing. While it was once a breeze to walk through the city, there are now humongous crowds all over making it difficult to move around in the city. The tourist numbers have doubled and tripled in recent years, leading to talks about tackling the large masses arriving in Amsterdam. So caution is advised if you are planning to visit the ever-popular Amsterdam. 5. Iceland: Set in the northern European mainland, Iceland is one of the most stunning places in the world. Seemingly a world of its own, the place is full of the spectacular landscape which isn’t found elsewhere. Its scenic beauty and the low cost of air travel in the modern age have taken tourism in Iceland to unimaginable heights. But over-tourism has also negatively impacted the stunning locale of Iceland. It was once a predominantly fishing-driven economy but is no more so. Part of the problem is the ever-increasing tourist infrastructure, a lack of trained tourism professionals, as well as tourists who aren’t aware of how they are badly affecting Iceland’s fragile ecosystem. While it is still a beautiful place to visit, it is advisable to be respectful of the region’s core values and not ruin any of its stunning monuments, landmarks, and natural beauty. Description: Before you decide to pack your bags and head to Europe, here are a few very popular places on the continent which have been adversely affected by over-tourism. Indian Eagle is a thriving travel company in the online travel booking niche. We are on a mission to make air travel cheaper and easier. Everyone, irrespective of the travel class, expects the lowest airfare and the cheapest flight which we make sure through our association with major airlines. Indian Eagle is committed to offering the best airfare deals. Read  More : Planning A Hunting Trip To Africa – Here’s what you should Know Tips For Improving Your Holiday Experience The Easy Way to Travel in India 4 Tips for First-time Travelers to Bali 15 Unexplored Destinations in India Worth Visiting