It’s true! due to the fact that tomorrow is Thanksgiving we are posting the Travel Trivia today.  Congratulations to Kat and John who knew that the photo was taken in Dublin.

And now, this week’s image:

In what city is this famous Gothic palace located in?

Best of luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

-Hans

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Interested in heading to Europe for a romantic getaway? Are you looking to get away from it all on a solo vacation? Many cities are great for both. Here are a few examples.

Paris, France

No matter what time of year you go, Paris always has a lot to offer. Couples have no problem finding romance at every turn. A plethora of outdoor cafes allow for the most romantic of meals, even if it only consists of a baguette and cheese. A walk along the Seine River while holding hands will warm any chilly evening, and who could resist a kiss in front of the Eifel Tower. If you’re with a loved one, stay in the city, you won’t want to leave.

For those going solo, the appeal of the world’s best museums, beautiful graveyards, monuments and buildings is hard to top. If you’re looking to get outside the city, take your rental car in Paris over to Le Harve for some fishing and meditation on the ocean.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is a popular destination for many reasons. Couples can charter a boat to navigate all around the cities ample canals, or rent a couple of bikes to explore the city. The city is filled with beautiful cobblestone streets that lend themselves to romantic walks in the evening. The cities many restaurants and cafes will provide great meals and romantic ambience.

Solo travelers often find themselves staying longer than planned, as too much time in certain cafes can make you forget what day it is. The art museums of the city are very popular destinations for solo travelers, and there is a very active nightlife. You can also head over to the Heineken brewery for a tour and meet some like minded folk, or take a car rental in Amsterdam over to Haarlem for some delicious Jopenbier.

Barcelona, Spain

Couples in Barcelona can enjoy many things. Intimate restaurants provide a romantic atmosphere for enjoying tapas, while a group dance lesson can have you tangoing the night away. Walks throughout the city will impress you with beautiful Gaudi buildings, as well as Gothic architecture. The view from the top of Sagrada Familia is a great place for a memorable kiss; just don’t let the clergy catch you!

For solo travelers, the night life of Barcelona is hot, hot, and hot! You won’t have trouble meeting people in the clubs here. If that’s not your style, the miles of beaches offer all kinds of room to sunbathe, jog, swim, or whatever. You can always take a car rental in Barcelona over to cities like Valencia for some more art viewing.

Any other dual purpose cities you know of in Europe?  Leave a comment!

-Hans

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Many people enjoy visiting European Castles. Standing everywhere, these once powerful strongholds pepper the countryside of nearly every European country. Castles represent a time in history that is often romanticized in books and cinema. Many have been renovated and made into museums which are clean, well lit and free of disease, a far cry from the way things once were. Castles can offer a hands on experience and historical insight. Here is a list of my top five favorite castles in Europe.

Karlstien Castle is a famous castle easily accessible by a car rental in Prague, located just north of the city. Having been built in 1348, it has undergone several renovations over the past 700 years and is now open for guided tours.

The Alhambra located in Granada, Spain is one of Spain’s largest tourist attractions. The majestic beauty of this large castle attracts millions each year and is stunningly beautiful.
It was built by Muslim kings in the 1300’s, however was taken by Christian forces in 1492. This massive structure is filled with intricate art work, relaxing fountains, and large stables. The Alhambra can be reached easily with a rental car in Granada and is a must see for anyone in the region.

Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg, Austria is a large fortress that dates back over 900 years. It only came under attack once, and that was during the 14th century. During World War I it was used as a military prison, but now is visited by people every year who wish to see this well preserved piece of history. There is a cable car that will take you from the valley below or you can walk up and pay less for admission.

Chateau de Blois located in France’s Loire Valley has been the residence of French kings. Joan of Arc also received a blessing here from the Archbishop of Reims before fighting the English in 1429. Since 1841, it has been a historic monument and is open and available to the public. People who want to learn more about French History will enjoy this castle tour.  If you have a car rental in Blois, you will want to find parking near the castle in the morning as it gets very busy during the day.

Of course you can’t mention castles in Europe without talking about Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. One of the most scenic castles in the world, this marvelous creation was commissioned to be built by Ludwig the Second of Bavaria in 1868. After his death in 1886, the castle was completed by the state, and is now open to the public, although no photos are allowed inside the castle. Despite that fact, it still remains one of the most photographed castles in the world! Neuschwanstein castle is truly a must see on your next Bavarian vacation and it is easily accessible with a rental car in Munich.

(Above:Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany)
Do you have a favorite castle in Europe? Leave a comment!

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Last week’s travel trivia question was a tough one, but Kat and Ryan somehow managed to get it right! The location was Wellington, New Zealand.

Here is the image for this weeks trivia.

In what city is this statue located?
Best of luck to everyone!
-Hans

PS. If you have an image of somewhere in Europe you think would be good to use for Travel Trivia Thursday, send it to hans@autoeurope.com

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Museum tours of Europe are very popular, and with good reason. There are thousands of Museums there, all different in their own ways. When most people think of museums in Europe, they automatically think of the Louvre.  Museums like The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Prado in Madrid, London’s British Museum, and Berlin’s Museum Island are some of the finest in the world.

The Louvre located in Paris, France originally opened in 1793 and contains over 400,000 works of art. On average, 15,000 people visit the museum every day. The most popular works there are the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. While it would be easy to dedicate an entire years worth of blog posts to the Louvre, let’s take a look at some lesser known museums that may spark your interest!

The Tate Modern Museum in London, housed in a former power station is Britain’s national museum of international modern art. Opened in 2000, it enjoys visitors from all over the world who wish to see modern art styles such as abstraction, expressionism, constructivism, cubism, and pop art. This museum contains works by such artists as Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Claude Monet.

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Brussels, Belgium is a unique look at musical instruments throughout the ages. For a five euro admission fee, you get a head set, which automatically plays the instrument you are looking at when you walk close to it. Hundreds of instruments that you’ve probably never heard of fill these halls. There is also a restaurant on the roof that offers fantastic views of the entire city! A must see for fans of all kinds of music.

If you’re like me and get distracted by shiny things, a visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Austria will take all day! Set in a “cave” format, you can wander through the rooms set up to provide you with beautiful displays, light shows, and information about crystals. People from all walks of life enjoy this breathtaking museum. The gift shop allows you to take home a wide variety of beautiful crystal ornaments, jewelry, and other pieces of art.

For those who are young at heart, the Nuremberg Toy Museum in Germany will be just what you are looking for. This high quality collection covers hundreds of years of toys, focusing mainly on the past two centuries. Different floors offer various themes such as wooden toys, dolls and doll houses, tin toys, vehicles, toy train sets, steam engines, technical toys and the high-tech toys of today. The museum also host collectors meetings, as well as seminars and puppet shows.

Of course there are many more clever fun museums, but we can’t list them all. Whatever museums you decide to see, a rental car in Europe is a great way to tour the country!

Do you know of any fun museums we could add to this list? If so leave a comment and tell us about it!

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What makes a city a good choice to visit during the holiday season?  History, aesthetic beauty, and culture make the top of my list. One thing many people may not be aware of happens every December and is a rich European tradition.  Each and every year, many cities in Europe host Christmas Markets. Themed around the holiday season, with decor, lights, and nativity scenes, markets traditionally include vendor stalls filled with all kinds of arts and crafts. Here are some cities that are known to hold some of Europe’s most popular Christmas Markets!

Nuremberg
For hundreds of years, Christmas markets have been one of the most popular German traditions, held right alongside Munich’s famous Oktoberfest. German cities such as Stuttgart, Munich, and Hamburg hold world famous Christmas markets; but one that stands out is held in the Bavarian city of Nuremberg. Nearly two million visitors flock to this beautiful city to observe the nearly 400 year old tradition of the Christmas market that is held there. One of the great things about the Nuremberg market is that the city has made a serious stance against the commercialization of the month long event, keeping the focus on family activities and displays. There are usually around 200 candlelit booths where local vendors display their holiday oriented food, crafts, and gifts. If you have a sweet tooth you won’t be disappointed, as you will find an ample variety of ginger bread men, sweet mulled wine, and German chocolate. There is even a special children’s market with some old fashioned rides for the kids to enjoy, while parents can partake in baking, candle making, and wreath making demonstrations.

Vienna
As if the city of Vienna needed an excuse to be more beautiful, every year they host one of the most popular Christmas markets. You will find a cornucopia of wooden toys, delicious treats, as well as the delicious traditional Christmas punch. Like most cities with Christmas markets, you will find many fine musical performances throughout the festival. This world famous market is not open as long as others, beginning December 12th and ending on the 22nd. Try taking your car rental in Vienna over to some of the surrounding towns, as they offer smaller versions of these beautiful festive decorative celebrations.

Brussels
Every December Brussels’ Grand Place, (main square, where the town hall is located) is decorated in beautiful lights and the central plaza is filled with lighted trees and an original animated nativity scene. The market contains more than 200 stalls and has more of an international flair than other Christmas markets. While you can get your fill of all kinds of food from around the world,  the traditional Belgian food is what many come for. Things like Belgian chocolate, Belgian waffles, gingerbread, cookies and beer keep visitors flocking back year after year. Once you have had your fill of delicious decadent treats, you can visit the skating rinks. There is even a kids rink to keep parents happy. A car rental in Brussels is a great way to get where you need to be this Christmas season.

Prague
Prague’s Christmas market definitely takes has a more laid-back approach to this celebration. Peruse the intimate market in search of homemade Czech-made products like wooden toys, beautiful crystals mined nearby, custom jewelry, as well as traditional European sweets. You can even purchase live fish, which is the traditional cooked up fresh for Christmas Eve dinner in the Czech Republic. The songs of Czech school children fill your ears and laughter fills the air at the petting zoo for children.  The city of Prague is a great place to spend the holidays!

Whichever city you decide to travel to, a car rental in Europe is a great way to get around and see the sights at your own pace!  Do you have a favorite Christmas city?  Leave a comment and let us know!

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There were some interesting guesses for last weeks Travel Trivia, but the person with the correct answer was Kat.  The Image in the photo is in fact, the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona, Spain. There are hundreds of triumphal arch’s located all over the world, even a handful here in United States.

This weeks question relates to the photo below.


Q. In what city was the above photo taken?
Hint: Government officials are often seen buzzing around these buildings.

Good luck!
-Hans Ericsson

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This month while researching world class travel destinations, I was fortunate enough to get turned on to Australia. The eastern coast seems most appealing,  with cities like Brisbane and Sydney offering diverse landscape and interesting attractions for visitors of all ages.

Brisbane, Australia is a popular travel destination for all kinds of travelers, as it is very close to the Great Barrier Reef. There is ample fishing, diving and sunbathing on the coast, while a trip inland will bring you to beautiful nature preserves with lakes and trails just waiting to be explored. The city also offers a plethora of fantastic modern restaurants and boutiques, and is an international hot spot for all kinds of music. Nearly 2 million call Brisbane home, and judging by the cities many offerings, it’s easy to understand why.

If you would like to see Sydney, it is about a 12 hour drive from Brisbane.  With a rental car in Australia, you can make the trip in style and comfort, and really take it at your own pace.  The coastline has many great destinations to see, and it makes for a scenic drive.  But once you arrive in Sydney, you will discover even more.

Most of us have seen Sydney in films such as The Matrix, Finding Nemo, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, but the city is more than just a backdrop for high quality cinema. Art culture is alive and well in Sydney, as visitors from all over the world flock to see the operas and symphonies held at the Sydney Opera House, marvel at beautiful paintings and sculptures at The Art Gallery of New South Wales, and visit the science and technology based Powerhouse Museum. Thrill seekers can test their nerves on the Bridge Climb, which means strapping yourself on and walking across the Sydney Harbor Bridge! You can also take a rental car in Sydney over to the majestic Blue Mountains, for hiking. There is even a cable car set up to take you across miles of gorgeous forest for those just looking for a view.

There’s lots happening in Australia, espically in the next 6 months! Our events calendar only can show you a small portion of what’s going on, but with a little research, you will find there’s lots more to do and see!

Have questions?  A good story? Some priceless first hand travel advice? Then please leave us a comment and let us know!

-Hans Ericsson

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As you may know, I love to travel. As my job consists of mainly learning and writing about new and exciting destinations, I always get great ideas for new places to visit. One place I am interested in visiting as soon as I can is New Zealand. It’s not even that far, with the average flight time from California being a mere 12 hours. Okay, maybe it is kind of a long flight, but it’s so worth it.

New Zealand has a lot to offer. It’s about as large as Great Britain but has a population of around 4 million, which means it’s a great place relax and see the country at your own pace. Getting around is easy with a car rental in New Zealand, as the roads are efficient and fun to navigate, whether its on the coast, or in the mountains. If you want to travel from the North Island to the South Island (or vice versa) it’s easy, and many people do this daily.

Fans of delicious food won’t be disappointed. The country’s cuisine style is influenced from Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam. More traditional New Zealand food consists of lamb, pork, venison, salmon, crayfish, bluff oysters, mussels and scallops just to name a few. There are also more than 900 Asian restaurants throughout New Zealand. This food of course goes great with the wine of New Zealand, which has recently enjoyed success on a global level.

If you like outdoor adventure, you will be overwhelmed with the massive amount of activity available! Some activities that are popular here include hiking, climbing, biking, swimming (dolphins optional), sky diving, and hang gliding, just to name a few. You don’t have to be into extreme sports to take advantage of the landscape however. The country boasts miles of coastline and inland lakes for world class fishing, as well as some very impressive challenging golf courses.

As far as activities and events in New Zealand, you won’t have trouble finding nightlife with the amount of clubs in larger cities like Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland. In December alone the White Water Rafting Festival, The Festival of Lights, and several mountain bike races are already scheduled. Whatever your interests, you are sure to find people with similar tastes here. If you’re lucky you may be able to catch a Flight of the Conchords performance.

Ever been to New Zealand? If so, leave a comment with some travel tips!

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If there is anyone out there who still wonders if the posted answers on last weeks Travel Trivia from Ryan and Kat are correct, today is your answer: yes they are. They deserve our praise, and we are indebted to their service to this blog. Now we must change our focus and shift our attention to this weeks challenge.

Here is the image:

What is the name of this famous landmark and where is it located?

Good luck to everyone!
-Hans

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