Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and nothing is more romantic than treating your loved one to a weekend away. While classic romantic destinations such as Paris, Rome and Venice are tried and tested, why not surprise someone special with a trip to one of Splendia‘s alternative Valentine’s destinations, guaranteed to create memories neither of you will ever forget…
One way to truly see the sights of a city is from high up in the sky. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best places from which to take in spectacular views of 10 of our favourites.
Barcelona
The Christopher Columbus monument stands
tall at the bottom of the city’s bustling Las Ramblas, not far from the sea, inviting visitors to ascend to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of the Catalan capital and Cataluña’s coastline. Or, head up one of the towers of the renowned Sagrada Família or to the rooftop terrace of Casa Milà.
Berlin
On a trip to the German capital, be sure to rise to the top of the Fernsehturm, the city’s TV Tower. Have a drink or snack in the revolving restaurant whilst enjoying a 360º vista of Berlin’s magnificent monuments.
For a truly unique stay, look no further than a boutique hotel for your next trip. Due to their smaller size, boutique hotels offer guests distinctive interior design and a much more personalised level of service. But you don’t need to pay the earth to stay in the best boutique hotels, we’ve put together just a small selection of what’s on offer for under €100 per night.
Ever-evolving, combining its eclectic past with contemporary influences, Istanbul is a fascinating city full of energy and vitality. Historic monuments and fantastic restaurants sit alongside the new bars and clubs that are regularly popping up all over the city, making Istanbul the place to party. Locals are embracing this change, enjoying the evolution of the city as it becomes one of the most happening cities of the moment.
Istanbul is a city of sound, taste, culture and innovation, and as a result, was voted by our Facebook fans as one of their favourite cities. We have to agree…
Sights to see
For a true appreciation of Istanbul’s
culture, head to the Hagia Sophia. Also known as the Church of the Divine Wisdom, its flat dome, which was erected in the sixth century, is still an impressive architectural innovation. Wander inside and be dazzled by the 30 million gold tesserae (tiny mosaic tiles) that date back 1,500 years.
Be sure to leave at least half a day to see the lavish and colourful Topkapi Palace, which was home to Selim the Sot. Admire the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III that sits just outside the Imperial Gate and take a tour of the Harem, before taking a stroll through the seemingly never-ending gardens. Continue reading
We spoke to travel experts, I Wanna Go There about Istanbul and they told us five things everyone should know before a visit to the beautiful and diverse Turkish capital.
1. “If the earth was a single state, Istanbul would be its capital” said Napoleon Bonaparte. Istanbul was once the capital city of the world’s largest empires: Byzantium, Roman and Ottoman. This fascinating history is evident in every corner of the city today.
2. Istanbul is one of the world’s largest cities with over 13 million inhabitants, creating an incredible harmony of cultures.
3. Istanbul can be expensive, unless you have the knack of… bargaining! In a simple shoe-shop, in the gold bazaar and even in a taxi, you can bargain the price down.
4. Life never stops… There is always somewhere to go, someone to talk to and something to eat, no matter what the time is.
5. If you are interested in Turkish cuisine, Istanbul is the place to be. There’s a wide variety of restaurants representing all kinds of tastes. And you can’t leave without having a complimentary cup of Turkish tea. Continue reading