4bubbly travel blog

Everybody knows that there are a few important things that have to be considered when planning a holiday to one of the famous travel destinations such as Berlin. Once the flight tickets are in taken care of and the Berlin apartment is booked, the next thing to be done is planning your days there. There are plenty of ways to see a certain city and they are all pleasant. Among them is the option to go on a walking tour. The walking tours in Berlin are even more recommended, since the city has different aspects and to understand them all one should better be joined by a knowledgeable guide. The city of Berlin has undergone many rapid changes. It features wide boulevards and small hidden squares, a lot of greenery and a great deal of historical sites. By going on a walking tour, the traveller can experience all that at a leisurely pace in a small group, led by an attentive guide. The walking tours in Berlin run every day and they require a reservation.

berlin wall

Checkpoint Charlie

There are various walking tours in Berlin and I will mention just the most popular. The first on my list is the Insider Walking Tour, with web address www.insidertour.de, which focuses on the former West Berlin site, the Bahnhof Zoo and then the centre of the former East side. Along the way, travellers see Alexanderplatz, Hitler’s bunker, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. The tour not only presents the main sites of Berlin, but also reveals the history of the city, its destruction, followed by division and then reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Insider Walking Tour starts at 10 am from Hardenbergplatz opposite the Zoo station. Another option are the Original Berlin Walks, web site www.berlinwalks.com, which start daily at 9.45 am outside of the Zoo Station. The tour lasts for 3.5 – 4 hours and is led by an English speaking guide. Travellers are shown the major landmarks of Berlin such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Museum Island, Nazi bookburning and naturally The Wall. The guides are entertaining and fun, so it is not only the historical facts that are told here.

There is also the Brewer’s Berlin Tour, web address www.hostel-berlin.de, where tourists receive a lot of information on the German history while visiting the sites. The service one gets here is very pleasant and realistic, as it is a first-hand experience. The Brewer’s Berlin Tour is offered every day and they start outside the New Synagogue. In case you require a guided private tour in Berlin for sightseeing and walking, then a good choice would be the Berlin Tourist Guide, web address www.berlin-sightseeing-tours.de. These tours cover city walks and sightseeing and are done by well-informed guides with good knowledge of the city facts but also ready to provide good travel tips when asked. There are many other walking tours in Berlin as well, with different durations and landmarks coverage.

A post by H.Wagner who also writes about Amsterdam apartment and apartments in Budapest.

As the city of Krakow is among the nicest places to visit in Poland for a great holiday, there are some really nice apartments in Krakow that are worth to be considered and that have great locations with easy access to all the main places of interest. There are however, some lovely hidden attractions in Krakow, which are also interesting to see. The city of Krakow itself is always associated with various legends and has a great choice of hidden attractions, which are places and spots that are off the beaten path. These hidden attractions in Krakow are of various types – some of them are scary, others are charming and the rest are absolutely marvelous. They all however have this something special, which makes the travellers want to see them. Since they are really hidden attractions in Krakow, most of the guidebooks will not reveal them to you. Thus, you might be close to such an attraction in Krakow and not even realise it. Because of that we will present here some of the hidden attractions in Krakow and you will need just a map to find them when you reach the city.

This photo of Jewish District (Kazimierz)

Among the hidden attractions in Krakow is the fabulous Remuh Synagogue, which is located in the Jewish District of Kazimierz. The place is very charming and full of energy and it will definitely lead you back in time when the area was really Jewish and the Jews lived a normal life here or in other words, the place will take you back to the times before the Second World War. The Remuh Synagogue is the only synagogue in Krakow that holds services and that has a place to pray. The place is also open for visitors and is a working museum too. Another place that is worth visiting is the artificial mound that was made by the locals to celebrate the Polish national hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko. From this place the city is revealed in a lovely panorama towards Krakow and this is definitely a great site to be checked out. Another great site nearby is the Kosciuszko Mound, which is the largest park of Krakow that features many walking trails and also a skiing zone opened during wintertime. Here is also to be found the Krakow Zoo. If you like mystery, then check the small and charming streets on the Old Town like Senacka street. This is better to be visited when the sun sets.

This photo of Kosciuszko’s Mound (Kopiec Kosciuszki)

Also interesting to visit is the Liban quarry which used a labor camp during the Second World War. In this site were working approximately 400 people under inhumane conditions. If you still have time, make sure to visit the former Jewish Ghetto of the district Podgorze, which was arranged to commemorate the Holocaust victims. Among the other hidden attractions in Krakow is also the Chakra, which is the mystic 7^th stone on Earth that has special energy and is set in Wawel Hill.

This photo of Kosciuszko’s Mound (Kopiec Kosciuszki)

A post by S. Nowak who also writes about Warsaw apartments and apartment in Budapest.

The Spanish capital Madrid is a great tourist destination and even if most of the people prefer to visit it in spring or during the summer, Madrid could be a very nice place for a trip during the winter as well. Winters in Madrid tend to be cold, but dry and pleasant. Another fact that should be mentioned here for sure, is that in the winter months, the landmarks, the museums and the galleries are not that crowded as during the rest of the year. There are no long lines and the time is just perfect for some good sightseeing and enjoying the various tours in Madrid. Another thing to consider is that since not many people like to ravel during the winter, the hotels in Madrid offer lower and very special prices so you can find apartment in Madrid very cheap and the same is valid for the flights. Actually the holiday packages are very budget friendly, and the price gets even better if you make a reservation in advance.

The Greatest Square in Madrid

Madrid is the largest city in Spain and the third biggest in Europe, just after the cities of Berlin and London. The Spanish capital is also among the most touristic cities in Europe, so a winter holiday here might be a very good surprise. However, since it can get very cold in Madrid, it would be a good idea to book a hotel room with a good heating system and to pack some warm clothes. Taking a waterproof jacket and an umbrella is also a wise thing to do. So, once in Madrid and the weather is cold, use your time to see all those museums, monuments and galleries that you have never had time for before.

This photo of Madrid

Another way to spend your time, when it is cold outside, is by making a gastronomy tour and enjoy some tapas, as well as wine tours and cooking classes. Another good way to spend your time is by going to listen to some flamenco music. There are even places, where one can teach you how to dance this typical Spanish dance.

This photo of Madrid

If you decide to visit Madrid for Christmas though, note that Christmas Eve is usually spend at home with the family and most of the bars are closed. There are certain restaurants that are open and that offer a special Christmas menu, so you may want to try that. New Year’s Eve is celebrated outside with a night party. Many people prefer to go to Plaza Nueva for the big celebration and then they go to different parties all over town. The celebrations on that day are great fun and they last until the morning hours.

The days that follow these celebrations are quiet and life goes back to normal. The city is peaceful and very romantic and this is the perfect time to enjoy it with a feeling as if you are alone and all the landmarks are there just for you to enjoy.

Another popular winter destinations with warm weather in winter are Barcelona and Portugal, where you can stay in Barcelona apartment or apartments in Lisbon.