Europe Travel Guide » food http://www.europetravelguide.net Melissa tips Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:19:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Shopping in Moscow http://www.europetravelguide.net/2010/shopping-in-moscow/ http://www.europetravelguide.net/2010/shopping-in-moscow/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:26:58 +0000 Melissa http://www.europetravelguide.net/?p=220 Since the fall of the Soviet Union, a lot of changes have taken place in Moscow, Russia. The shopping opportunities in the capital city of Russia are no exception to that. Just about every Western brand has an outlet in Russia now. You can expect serious shoppers to start going crazy once they see the malls and boutiques in Moscow, Russia.

Shopping in Russia is definitely different from anywhere else that I’ve ever shopped. Stores come in several sizes, each with a particular kind of character. You can see what I mean when you visit any one of the local stores in Russia.

If you’re looking for the most basic of necessities like food, be prepared for a different kind of shopping. Groceries in Moscow, Russia are set up quite differently. When you go into the store, you will see several counters, each with store personnel. Behind those counters, you will see a choice of products. If you want to purchase something in these peculiar stores in Russia, you have to go up to each counter, make your choices, the personnel weighs it if need be and then you pay for it at the cashier which is usually located behind a small desk in a corner by the door. The same setup can also be found in and around all of Russia’s grocery stores, bookstores, toy shops, fabric shops and even some department stores. I bet shoplifting is a pretty unheard of event in Russia – Moscow at the very least. And Also, the rule is that you have to bring your own bags when it comes to these stores in Russia.

If you’re looking for a place to shop in Moscow, Russia in the traditional sense, head to a yarmarka – basically a market. People set up stands and sell their goods. It’s the best place in Russia to find a bargain due to the competition of many vendors selling the same things.

One weird thing I notice when shopping in Moscow, Russia is, while everything may be available, it’s not always that easy to find. Some of the stores in Russia don’t sell what other stores sell. I’ve seen butcher shops that sell only beef for one day then pork the next. Shopping in Russia can really be odd for first timers.

But of course, a shopping trip in Russia isn’t really a shopping trip if all you buy is food, right? What happened to all my talk of big-named Western brands at the start of this thing? Those stores will probably give you the type of shopping experience in Moscow, Russia that you would expect anywhere else.

Here’s the thing, the people in Moscow, Russia happen to be some of the more liberated partygoers out there. They always look good and mind you, the things they shop for are expensive. They are name brands after all. If you can get used to the odd store setups, I suggest you find a yarmarka or a warehouse if you want to go bargain shopping in Moscow, Russia.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu

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]]> http://www.europetravelguide.net/2010/shopping-in-moscow/feed/ 0 Christmas Shopping in Naples Italy http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/christmas-shopping-in-naples-italy/ http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/christmas-shopping-in-naples-italy/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:41:50 +0000 Melissa http://www.europetravelguide.net/?p=212 Christmas season in Naples, Italy is usually celebrated every December 24 to January 6.  The people in Naples celebrate the season from the Eve of Christmas to its epiphany.  Although they start their celebration at 24 many Christmas events are most likely found earlier than 24.  Following the pagan way in old Italy.  In the eve of Christmas people at Naples dine the traditional 7 dishes of fish.  One of the many traditions of  the people at Naples is the bagpipe and flute playing also known as the zampognari and pifferai. They often wear traditional colorful costumes with sheepskin vests, long white stockings, and dark cloaks. Many of them travel from the mountains of the Abruzzo region to play outside churches and in popular city squares. Naples is the best city to visit for their presepi. Hundreds of nativity scenes are erected throughout the city. Some creches are very elaborate and may be handmade or use antique figures. Naples has a lot of nativity scenes it’s a tradition at Naples that is followed and passed by thru generations.

The greatest attraction during Christmas season in Naples is the little shops selling the terracotta nativity scenes with quaint figures. They are open all year long and the Christmas season is the best time to visit this street. A number of nativity shops have flooded the streets of Naples. The nativity of Christ is the most indispensable object in the market. In Via San Gregorio Armeno, religious or not religiously inclined there are best buys for you.

Where to shop during the Christmas season in Naples isn’t so hard to go either. There are certain districts in Naples that are more specialized than others. There are designer clothes whre you’ll find the most expensive boutiques in and around Piazza dei Martiri, there is also an area around Via dei Mille which is not so expensive, but quality buys I must say. The Vomero district has a long line of clothing and accessory shops, from whre you could drop your eyeballs out and shop for sales. If you’re up for shopping for furniture and fittings, Piazza Municipio and via dei Mille is the place suited for you. Antique buyers must visit via D. Morelli or towards via Costantinopoli in the historic centre.

Although the transportation and some restaurants in Naples are closed during this season you can make your travel a lot easier by renting a car or by foot.  The restaurants of some hotels are also open where they serve special food in Christmas season.  Although Christmas dinners at Naples are meat based, people who are vegetarian are allowed and is given by the restaurant the food they want to eat, they also have Christmas cookies for everyone.  Aside from traditional Christmas beliefs, Naples also is a fun and amusing city.  The Edenlandia Amusement Park is filled with lights and a lot of promos to enjoy this Christmas season.  Children from 12 onwards will surely enjoy the treats.  Truly an educational trip to experience before the Christmas day.  Visit Naples in this holy Christmas season but don’t forget to bring your family along with you.

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]]> http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/christmas-shopping-in-naples-italy/feed/ 0 Life in Latvia as a Single http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/latvia-for-singles/ http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/latvia-for-singles/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:05:05 +0000 Melissa http://www.europetravelguide.net/?p=205 Travel in Latvia and experience the great fun and relaxation as a single.  Latvia is now starting to be an eye catcher to traveling singles around the world, because of its great parties at the clubs and also great places to enjoy and experience.

Latvia offers its tourists an open air museum also known as Les Hallet. In here, you will find the national history of Latvia and further understand the people of Latvia itself.  Various craftsmen performing their skills, dressed in traditional costumes of Latvia. Snacks, meals, & souvenirs are available. There are picnic areas also available.

The next great museum in Latvia is the Latvian Ethnographic Museum.  It is used to be a 100 hectares of life, now the people in Latvia made changes so they moved the armsteads, windmills, fishing villages, churches and other historic structures in here.  Here in Latvian Ethnographic Museum in Latvia, you can watch the craftsmen perform various tasks or try some Latvian cuisine and drink in the tavern.

In Riga, Latvia they dropped they’re prices for tourists into its hotels and restaurants.  but that’s nothing compared to the deals you can find in Liepaja – a hip coastal city in Latvia  with cheap design hotels, 24-hour clubs and cafés and food and drink prices that will make you think you’ve traveled back in time. Explore beautiful beaches, medieval churches, tsarist era fortifications and an abandoned prison that Ghost Hunters International declared one of the most paranormally active sites they had ever encountered here in Latvia.

Have a half hour train ride to the nation’s summer capital – the traditional seaside spa town of Jurmala, Latvia where  you can walk along white sandy beaches, relax with a cold drink at a summer terrace on Jomas iela or book some time for a massage, a facial or a healing treatment at one of the city’s numerous spas.  A great experience only here at Jurmala, Latvia.

Here in Latvia the legal age for singles to drink is 18 so it’s a problem to minors but heck of a great thing to non minors anymore.  Latvia throws these great of the hook parties and crazy people to meet especially when they had alcohol inside them.

Riga, Latvia has a good range of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. In summer months, cafes spill out onto the streets. Nightclubs in Latvia offer a varied scene, from dancing all night to blues concerts. Make sure you order the Black Balsam. It is known in Latvia as a black alcoholic liquid which has been produced since 1700. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret by the people of Latvia, but some of the ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter orange peel and cognac. It is drunk either with coffee or mixed with vodka.

You can also go shopping in Latvia. The Amber is of high quality and a good buy. Other purchases include folk art, wicker work and earthenware.

Enjoy Latvia and share your experience to your friends so they can visit Latvia at its fullest.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu

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]]> http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/latvia-for-singles/feed/ 0 Budapest Nightlife http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/budapest-nightlife/ http://www.europetravelguide.net/2009/budapest-nightlife/#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:10:40 +0000 Melissa http://www.europetravelguide.net/?p=191 Budapest, Hungary is one of the greatest countries when it comes to nightlife.  They offer a wide variety of clubs and bars for the party animals that only comes out at night.  In 1989 it is believed that Budapest, Hungary has only a little way of nightlife well the truth is that in the late 70’s Budapest is thriving the disco career from the disco balls and alarming wide trousers.  This shows that Hungary is really a nightlife country to look up to.

In Hungary the A-38 Ship bar we’re fine with party boats just so long as they stayed moored all night.  This bar at Hungary the A-38 attracts big name DJs from across Europe, with the fun and games spread over three floors.  This ship is complete with restaurants,  food haus and best of all a three floored party all night long disco.  You can only find it at Hungary.

Feeling more old school or should I say wanting to go back to school?, here in Hungary the School Club is one of the known destinations of students who want to go get wasted and sweaty all over the floor.

Student disco located in the bowels of the city’s Economics University in Hungary. Disco oriented grooves and a weekly karaoke are supplemented by cheap beer and no-nonsense food.

Bouncers from Hungary have a reputation for being real bruisers, so keep out of trouble.

If you’re a bit of a sports and disco fanatic then the Club Colosseum in Hungary is right for you. This club in Hungary is filled with on the go party animals, with techno-house and dance hits blasting away until the early hours.

If you happen to prefer to gamble rather than the clubs and bars in Hungary then the casino is the one I can offer you. In Hungary especially in Budapest there are dozens of casinos open for you to spend your crazy and unforgettable experience at Hungary.  The Casino Budapest Hilton is known in Hungary to have a lot of poker players, slot machines and most of all red dog and video poker.

Next is the Tropicana Casino another well known casino in Hungary. It is a popular casino just off Váci utca which is easily recognizable thanks to a bright neon entrance . And, even if you don’t plan on gambling away a fortune, the Tropicana in Hungary can provide a few hours entertainment without emptying your wallet. Be careful for the host is cruel for beginners when it comes to betting.  You can’t blame the people in Hungary if you get bankrupt in a casino. Remember in Hungary, they are just doing business.

Lastly one of the nicest casinos in Hungary is the Várkert Casino the building was designed by Miklós Ybl – the architect responsible for the city’s State Opera House.  Nicest because it has the greatest interior design in all of the casinos in Hungary.  But don’t be fooled this nice casino also is a force to recon with when it comes to bankrupting its guests.
It doesn’t matter if you like bars, clubs or casinos it’s a sure fact that Hungary really is a country filled with crazy nightlife for night nocturnal people.

photo credit : http://www.sxc.hu/

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