While there are few sights more kitsch than seeing a grown man in lederhosen belt out some tunes, there are few cooler than the hipsters who populate the streets of Berlin.
The madder-than-mad Love Parade may have grown too big for its boots, but electronic music has long had a home in Germany, meaning the country has its share of rocking clubs and pumping festivals.
As an antidote to the debauchery take stock of the many remnants of the past: in Bavaria explore castles, including the country’s most famous, Neuschwanstein, built by Ludwig II as an homage to Wagner; take a harbour tour to get the best outlook on the historic port of Hamburg; and check out one of the most impressive architectural achievements from the Middle Ages, the Cologne Cathedral, set on the Rhine. Along the way, you’ll be tempted to down pilsners and wurst by the bucketload, but don’t worry: there’s the opportunity to detox on a walk through the Black Forest or swishing down the slopes in the Fichtelgebirge.
It appears so often in the movies, is referenced in thousands of fashion mags, is revered on the art scene and its cuisine has become so influential, it’s hard to believe there’s much about France we don’t know about before we go. Au contraire!
Despite the stereotype of the snooty Parisian you want to bash with a baguette, France is a destination steeped in history, beauty, art, architecture, music and design. After all so many famous people have lived, died and drunk in Paris, it must be cool. Then there are the North African influences in areas like Goutte-d’Or that mix it up, making these parts of the city colourful, a different kind of tasty and great-sounding (their drumbeats).
As well as sashaying on the Riviera in the south, cycling through the vineyards and villages of Bordeaux or checking out chateaus in the Loire Valley, don’t neglect the quintessential French experience: hanging out and drinking too much wine and eating too much cheese in any or all of these places.
Are you a metalhead with a taste for the wild? Then pack your Doc Martens and pocketknife, and hop on a boat to Finland. This Nordic country, bordered by Sweden, Norway and Russia, embraces quirky culture and natural living. Eccentric events like the Wife Carrying World Championships and the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships are hugely popular, as are heavy metal music and the computer-gaming scene – the Finns even invented Angry Birds.
But Finland’s most exciting attractions lie outside of Helsinki. In the far north a summer’s day can last two months and it’s when Finns take to the wilderness for a spot of cottage living. So pull together a picnic, jump on a kayak and take your feast and to one of the country’s 70,000 islands before camping out in an abandoned lighthouse.
When winter hits Finland it can last for seven months. Thankfully, the rural Finns can navigate the snow with their husky-drawn sleighs and the bright lights of the aurora borealis. Do as they do and forget your winter blues by plunging naked into a hole in the ice and digging into some moose meatballs.
Bula! Fiji is the ultimate beach destination and receives more visitors per year than the other Pacific islands combined. But never fear; the sheer number of islands ensures that those seeking isolation and natural wonder don’t have to struggle against the crowd. In fact, this archipelago offers tourists more than 300 islands and 500 islets.
Fiji is dynamic and malleable – it’s what you make of it. Just remember that everything happens on island time, so take a deep breath, down some kava and race some hermit crabs.
We could start off with pints, pies, mushy peas and limited sunshine, but there’s far more to England than these age-old stereotypes. That London is often the first port of call for all types of travellers – from straight-out-of-school teens to cashed-up baby boomers and everyone in between – speaks volumes. With a little ingenuity (a wallet full of cash does make it all a lot easier), you can find and do just about anything here, from watching riveting theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe to lining up with the hordes to wander through the overblown decor of Buckingham Palace. Really, though, a couple of days here should be more than enough – those pints are expensive and the Tube is enough to make even the most committed traveller question the meaning of life.
Instead, get out of town. The Scilly Isles in the far southwest captures a way of life most of us thought disappeared many years ago (residents still leave their doors unlocked). The Peak District, with its rolling hills and jagged escarpments, is as beautiful as any mountain scenery. In the Yorkshire Dales, hop from one village to the next and discover these tiny towns are all they’re cracked up to be on the postcards.
Brighton is a notable party town, but opt for the scene in Bristol instead. Revisit the rave in its spiritual home of Manchester, or grab a board and head south. If you’re a master on the waves, head to St Agnes or Praa Sands; beginners might want to try Gwithian or Harlyn Bay.
Summer sees the festival season kick off and, if getting drunk in a paddock sounds like your jam, you can catch the best bands going around as they hop from one spot to the next on a never-ending circuit. Oh, we hear there’s a bit of history and architecture going around, too…
Ask anyone about Egypt and they are bound to rattle off a list of millennia-old monuments: the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings are just a few of the many offerings to explore. People sometimes forget, however, that it is also where Africa meets Arabia, and the cultures of both of these parts of the world come together.
For the visitor, there’s a huge amount of exploring to be done: sail the Nile, become one of the millions of people in Cairo and explore ancient mosques and the alleyways of Khan al-Khali (the city’s market), and soak up the ambience of Alexandria. For anyone who loves the beach, the Mediterranean coastline stretches for about 500 kilometres and is joined to the Red Sea by the Suez Canal. Sharm el-Sheikh, on the southern point of the Sinai Peninsula, also has some of the best diving you’ll in this part of the world.
Perhaps not at the top of everyone’s to-do list, East Timor has a few surprises in store for those who visit the sandy shores of this island.
With a history riddled in tragedy and triumph, East Timor’s infrastructure still suffers after its last chaotic episode in 2008. But if you can look past the political upheaval that has left a scattering of refugee camps and degraded buildings the norm for capital Dili, there are pristine beaches and stunning tropical forests and mountainsides to explore or relax and enjoy.
The island nation is officially known as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, but it is the locals who make the journey to this island worthwhile. Gaining a glimpse of how these Portuguese-speaking people get by day to day is a rewarding experience, and all it takes is a toothy grin from these humble folk to remind you it’s the simplest things that matter.
There’s a reason Prague is one of Europe’s most-visited cities. Its cobbled streets lined with centuries of history are just the ticket for hours of unruffled roaming peppered with stops at hidden churches and parks and bars serving local beer (according to some, the world’s best). Not to be missed is the fourteenth-century Charles Bridge – although in the summer it can be overrun with visitors from around the world.
The charming capital shouldn’t be the only destination on an itinerary of the Czech Republic, though. Just beyond Prague is Central Bohemia, with forests, valleys and castles to inspire. Drop by Konopiste Chateau, a player in some significant moments in modern history – it was Franz Ferdinand’s residence before he was assassinated, and the SS headquarters during World War II. Alternatively, wander through the mazes at Loucen Chateau.
At Olomouc, in the country’s east, paddle along the Morava River for some superb views. Take a riding lesson at Kladruby Stud Farm, near Pardubice, the oldest breeding farm in the world. When the weather gets colder, strap on some skates in Lipno and take on the longest skating track on earth. The ski resort here has downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snow park for the boarders.
If time isn’t on your side, there’s one other must-do spot nearby: Cesky Krumlov. This enchanting city, with a spectacular castle overseeing all that happens within it, feels a bit like Prague in miniature. Again, it’s best avoided in high summer when visitors come not only from other parts of Europe and around the world, but also from Prague, although a visit during warmer weather ensures you’ll be able to partake in the time-honoured traveller tradition of floating down the Vltava River. Some people do it in canoes or on rafts, others borrow an inner tube. Just make sure you get it done.
Cuba needs little introduction. Few nations evoke such strong images with the mere mention of their name – cigar-smoking revolutionaries, photogenic old-school cars and even older buildings. Add to the mix a fascinating history, stunning beaches, lush countryside and the ability to surprise you at every turn with the quirks of its unique branch of Communism.
You won’t be able to escape la musica, and why would you want to? Whether it’s watching traditional Son bands (think Buena Vista Social Club but better) or partaking in some rum and serious rumba, you will end up moving your feet and probably a lot more.
The phrase “now is the time to go” is often thrown around, but in this case you absolutely should. With US embargoes lifted and direct flights from the States now happening, the changes in this country where time seemed to stand still will be swift. See it while it still packs a hell of a punch.
Now well recovered from its wars of independence, Croatia is Europe’s très chic holidaying hotspot and has been for a while now. Its mix of medieval villages, coastal and island getaways, and rugged mountainous interior is matched by cheap prices, great beer and decent nosh.
Sail along the coastline from island to island (all 1185 of them), beach to beach (countless, but most not that sandy), or trek high into the Dinaric ranges where views back over the Adriatic are astounding. There are plenty of traditional celebrations going on with costumes, dancing and music from the archives of the nation’s tumultuous but proud history. But you’ll also be surprised at the sophistication of the Croatian urbanites; their bars and nightlife are some of Europe’s best and the cafe life alive with intelligentsia deep in debate over their espressos.
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