Discount Euro Travel

According to a quick Internet search, Carbonara is actually the sauce and not the whole meal. It is an Italian pasta sauce that is made from eggs, black pepper, pig's cheek, and jowl bacon. Other ingredients include cheese, milk, garlic and parsley. The term carbonara came from the word carbone which means coal. Many Italians believe that the sauce got its name from charcoal miners who love the food so much. So, I thank all the Italian coal miners for introducing the dish to the world.

It was our first date together. The woman who was to become my wife, the lady I call Mara, got up from the table within minutes of her arrival and excused herself to wash her hands. I found her gesture very adorable. She was like a little meerkat, leaning over the faucet to tidy herself before eating. At the same time, I found it weird, as I quintessentially don't wash my hands before eating, unless I'd spent the day coal mining, or running an offset printing press.

It was in that first date when I first ate the best dessert I'd ever tasted. My wife is English, so it would be a given that the love for treacle tart runs in her blood. I'm in love with treacle tarts in the same way I love my wife. Anyway, treacle tart is a pastry dessert that is similar to a pie, but different because the top is open and not covered with pastry. You can add fruits on it if you want to eat something healthy.

Based on what I've read, Harry Potter, the bespectacled boy in the popular Harry Potter films loves treacle tart so much in the same way J.K. Rowling loves her earnings. It's no question that the wizard loves the dessert. Even muggles like me have fallen in love with the sweet tasting, delicious dessert. I don't know how to make one, but my wife does, and she's good at it. Sometimes, I have this feeling that she uses her wand to create it.

The era where people drink nothing but tea is back. If you'll fancy a visit to the nearest mall, you'll be surprised with the many variants of tea available in the market. We have the Green tea that is popular because of its healthy compounds. There's traditional Black tea, but only elders who knit maroon sweaters drink them. Orange, red, and yellow tea are best for people who have too much marijuana. I wonder when they will commercialize a silver tea.

According to the latest survey on food, tea is still the most popular beverage and not Gatorade. This is despite the fact that the sports drink has less salt and more electrolytes. Drinking tea every afternoon started at the advent of the eighteenth century in Britain. During those days, the English folks only had two meals in a day -- breakfast and dinner. To bridge the gap and ease hunger, they invited their friends and neighbors to have an afternoon tea party.

A tea party wouldn't be complete without tea's loveteam -- crumpets. Crumpets are round yeast-raised breads. I like crumpets when they're toasted and smeared with butter or strawberry jam. If you'll visit London, try to hang out in a tea shop where they serve the yummiest crumpets so you'll feel the 18th century tea experience. It would be nice if you're wearing dress robes covered with laces and frills; so people will think you can do time-travel.

When I visited Europe a few years ago, I noticed that most of the cities, towns, or villages I toured had many parks. Of course, I'm not referring to the historical tourist attractions since European cities obviously have plenty of those. In fact, you can name a few and I probably had been in some of the places you have in mind. Anyway, what I am talking about simply are the regular parks where people often go during afternoons.

With the setting sun and the cool breeze, the afternoon is always the perfect time to take a walk at the park. While I was in Europe, I used to go out for a walk whenever I had the chance. Although there was nothing really extraordinary about it, the mere fact of enjoying the nice weather and simple, yet beautiful views was already soothing.

It is fun to see families go out together and spend the afternoon playing with their kids. Families like to spend most of their time together at the park. That was what I noticed during my stay in Europe. Of course, this practice may just be ordinary compared to the other customs of the continent, yet it is as equally valuable as those mentioned. A walk in the park is always a perfect time for family bonding.

Seeing my wife, Mara, overly engrossed with a TV show called "The Naked Chef", I commented, "The food looks yummy. But why is the cook not nude?"

She looked at me with utmost scorn and said, "They call it that because the bloke uses simple ingredients."

"Oh!" I picked up the remote.

Mara snatched the remote from my hands. "What are you doing? He'll be making Belgian waffles next!"

Now, Belgian waffles are my favorites, and learning how to make them is one of my simple dreams in life. I fell in love with these sweets the first time I tasted them in Brussels. I think people started making them a year after Belgians became Christians.

Starbucks also sells waffles in strawberry and chocolate variants. They do taste good, but I'm not sure if they're from Belgium. I watched silently as the Naked Chef demonstrated how to make my favorite breakfast. According to him, waffles are "crisp raised cake baked in a waffle iron, a hinged metal griddle with a honeycombed or fancifully engraved surface that allows a thin layer of batter to cook evenly and crisply." Everything went fine, but I was a little confused because he insisted on giving ingredients in ounces and pints. Personally, I think it would be easier to move to Europe.

The third task in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie wherein the four triwizard champions need to get the cup of eternal glory took place in a magnificent and eerie hedge maze. As a matter of fact, the idea of getting inside the maze myself gives me goosebumps. However, the adventure and the excitement you'll get as you go through it is incomparable.

Fortunately, even we muggles who don't have the slightest trace of magic can experience the hedge maze if we want to. All you need is a plane ticket to France and 8 euros to enter the enchanting world of Le Labyrinthe des Merveilles in Haute-Garonne. It is actually a 20 hectare vegetable garden transformed into a labyrinth to give French people and foreign visitors a magical and scary feeling of being trapped inside a long and winding maze.

Inside the maze, you'll get to meet lots of good wizards and fairies that will help you get through the right passages. Don't worry guys, there are no acromantulas, boggarts, nor dementors inside the maze in France. But there are bad wizards and witches so, it will be best if you prepare. There's no need to bring your fake wands and jinx everyone inside the maze, okay! The enthralling maze opens every October 1st.

I don't believe in ghosts, but I love ghost stories so much especially those that happened in real life. Now, if the stinking dung inside your Mezosoic skull can't decipher what I just said, it means: you're a maggot! Anyway, European countries have a lot of haunted castles. Haunted European castles house a lot of ghosts, and history said that it's the people who died because they're undersexed or they didn't have sex at all, whichever you prefer. But I'm lying, so if you gave a hearty, obnoxious laugh with what I said, then you proved that you're a maggot!

Anyway, among the haunted castles in Europe, The Tower of London is the scariest because it was a living witness to multiple murders, hangings, tortures, and beheadings. Thomas Becket's ghost was the first recorded apparition in the castle. Becket was the archbishop of Canterbury and was murdered under the command of Henry III. The guards in the ancient times also said they've seen the ghosts of the two lost princes, hands held together as they vanished through the towers. The decapitated ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn was also seen in the towers as she led a procession of ghosts to the chapel. Most of the ghosts are those that were kept prison and beheaded without proper trial and decent burial.

Berry Pomeroy Castle is one of the foulest and the ugliest castles I've ever been in. No wonder many people died in that castle because they weren't able to stand the shame living in a place full of shit. I've been there last week and wished I went to hell than entered that doomed place.

A quick Internet search told me that the Pomeroys lived in the palace in the 11th century. But all of them died in tragic and gory accidents. The story I've read said that the Pomeroys are royal dipshits and they killed themselves to escape from the cursed abode. I'm lying, but article is not.

The only interesting rumor about the place is it's haunted by ghosts. People said the ghost of Margaret Pomperoy, who died because of starvation, haunts the castle's dungeons. The Blue Lady, another ghost that was allegedly molested by her own father intrudes the towers seeking for justice. It's a pity we haven't met when I was there, or else she'll be haunting the whole castle because I'll rape her to death! If you're a moron and you believe in ghosts, then you earn yourself a new title: Coward Asshole! Do me a favor. Rot yourselves in hell!

When I had the opportunity to visit France last week, I tried to go to someplace new and try something that I've never done before. Since I don't drink too much liquor, I braved myself to go to Bordeaux where shops are famous for their wine tasting events. This attempt is my simple way of convincing myself that my life is still fulfilling and wonderful because its rants about how the world sucks has been consuming me for the past months.

The first winery I stopped at offered food tasting too. I immediately went towards the various cheese delicacies where garlic breads were cut into small strips that seems to remind a person that he is just tasting food and not having lunch. This is what I loved about French, they let you take samples again and again as long as you don't treat their shops as extensions of your kitchen. The staff was pouring grape wines from a bucket so I immediately grabbed a glass to taste them. After sipping every wine, I noticed that people pour the remains back to the bucket where they get it. Thinking it was rude and wasteful, I grabbed my personal digital assistant, took shot of the monkeys, and Bluetooth the image, only to know later that it's a normal custom for tasters to return excess wine to the bucket.

The Rock of Gibraltar is located in Gibraltar off the southwestern tip of Europe in the Iberian Peninsula. The rock is a big monolithic limestone formation which many people call the "Pillar of Hercules." Geologically speaking, it was created when the African tectonic plate collided tightly with Europe some 55 million years ago. During those time, the Mediterranean Sea was sort of a lake but when the Atlantic Ocean broke through the Strait of Gibraltar, the Sea was formed. The rock formation is 426 meters high. It has attracted many tourists to the place, awe-inspired at how the Rock could be how it looks now. The white appearance of the rock was due to the lining made of Portland stone that was constructed in the 1800's.

Inside the rock are the Great Siege Tunnels which are complex system of criss-crossed tunnels and underground fortifications. The tunnels were built in 1782 by the British. This was during the Great Siege by the Spanish over the island of Gibraltar. The fortifications were then rebuilt after the Siege. It has become useful during the World War II, where the civilians were evacuated to the United Kingdom and also to Jamaica.

There's an idiom that goes " solid as the rock of Gibraltar" which is used to signify that a person or situation is difficult to overcome. Needless to say, the strength of the Rock of Gibraltar against aggression has made it a significant emblem in history.

I am a certified beer drinker. I prefer the said alcohol compared to the hard drinks found anywhere. If you need a drinking buddy, then you found a friend in me. I assure you that I'll drink to the last drop. Maybe, we can even go find you a hot chic if your girlfriend broke up with you. As for me, I would like to believe that I am a one-woman-man. Yeah right! I must admit that I am up for some game. Besides, I am not actually committed. I find solace in dating around.

Well, going back to beer drinking. There is one such place that I would never drink beer from. It's from the The Starkenber Beer Myth resort. Let me rephrase that. What I meant was that I am not going to drink beer from the said resort's beer pools! Who knows what other men must have done in those pools. Besides, I don't know anyone crazy enough to drink from the pools even if the other gys don't anything anomalous in those pools. Hell! They immerse themselves in their... right down to their naked backsides. Incidentally, the pools are 13ft in length.

Anyway, you can visit the Starkenberger castle if you would like to experience the one of the seven pools of The Starkenber Myth resort. The castle is at the Tyrol region of Austria. By the way, don't worry about the beer being served. They get it from the bars beside the pool.

The Republic of Portugal is a European country situated in the western portion of the Iberian peninsula, bordered on the north and east by Spain and on the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean. The islands of Azores and Madeira are considered integral parts of the geography of this beautiful country. Ponta do Pico, found in one of the island in Azores, is the country's highest peak. It has a total area of 92,391 sq km including the two islands. It is slightly smaller than the state of Indiana. Lisbon or Lisboa is the country's capital.

The land of the Portuguese has a long and rich history dating back to the early civilizations that once survived in its vast plains. Among which are the Iberian civilization, Tartessian, Phoenician and Carthaginian, and even the Greek and Roman all of which contributed to the culture, language and history of the people of the country. The name Portugal itself tells an interesting history. Portugal was said to have originated from the Roman Names Portus Cale which means "beautiful port." Very apt indeed because Portugal has some of the most breathtaking ports and alluring beaches in the continent, making a favorite destination for honeymooners and people who want no less than the ordinary.

Three centuries in the history of Europe, many societies were plagued with alleged witches that are living within their communities. Witch hunts particularly in the Protestant countries of Central Europe, were pervasive resulting to the torture and persecution of tens and thousand of victims mostly women. It was that time in history where women have been the target of inquisitions where they were labeled as witches and heretics , burned at the stakes or tortured to death.

Witch hunts of early Europe claimed to be a search of witches or evidences of witchcraft, wherein the possible target are held under a witch trial. After trial, the alleged witch is sent through what they call an "ordeal" wherein they were tortured. The torture methods include the most horrific treatments like hot pincer and thumbscrews. Those who were not lucky are then passed on for execution. The most common forms of which are burning, hanging and drowning.

The origin of teh witch hunts up until today is blurry. Historians proposed several theories which may have been the possible reasons for the witch hunt. Some of them believe that it was due to some neurotic illnesses that infected the "witches" justifying their execution. While others believe that the witches were part of some Satanic cult. While still others believe that it was due to the pressure of the Reformation where Protestants and Christians used witchcraft to attack each other.

Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco is French and Italian, respectively, for 'white mountain.' It is the highest mountain in Western Europe located in the Alps bordering both France and Italy. But if you exclude the Caucasus Mountains of Russia from Europe, than Mont Blanc is the continent's highest peak. It stands tall at 15,774 feet or 4,808 meters but the height may vary depending on the weather conditions and the amount of snow fall. The two most famous cities near Mont Blanc are Chamonix, in Haute-Savoie, France where the first Winter Olympics was held in 1924 and Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley in Italy.

During the summer months, Mont Blanc is a good place for nature lovers and trail hikers. A climb to the top of the Mont Blanc's summit maybe a tough journey but nothing beats the feeling of having to reach the top. You get a view of snow-capped mountains and deep abysses in every direction. If you're lucky, you can even locate the three countries which borders the Alpine range. And that also includes Switzerland.

Beneath the mountain is the Mont Blanc Tunnel which stretches to a length of 11.6 kilometers from Chamonix and Courmayeur. After completion in 1965, the tunnel became one of the major Trans-Alpine routes in the region. On March 24, 1999, a tragic accident occurred in the tunnel wherein 39 people died. A Belgian transport truck carrying flour and margarine caught fire inside the tunnel. Over the past 35 years, 16 other truck accidents occurred in the tunnel.

This might shock many people as it appears to be very morbid, but the town of Las Nieves in Galicia, North West Spain celebrates death. Although not the actual death, but near-death experiences. Every 29th of July, people who have had close calls gather in the small Spanish Town near the border with Portugal to observe The Festival of the Near Death Experience. The theme of the festival may give you the creeps, and I can only imagine how most of you would get goosebumps when you see people attend the festival in a coffin.

The Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme is where people tell stories about their different experiences in cheating death. They participate in the procession by lying in a coffin which is carried by their loved ones all throughout the procession. At ten in the morning, thousands of people have already flocked the narrow streets of the tiny town in preparation for the Mass to be held at noon. After the mass, the procession heads to the local cemetery and back to the church. A large statue of the Virgin Santa Marta is paraded in front of the procession. I'm sure I have ignited your curiosity, especially that part of you that wants to explore the mystery of death.

Famous buildings and structures have something interesting about them. Not only because it overwhelms the naive observer but because deep beneath each structure is an interesting story to tell that is seemingly drawn from the pages of an old storybook. An example of which is the Frederiksbog Castle in Denmark. An interesting tale surrounds this unique structure located in the middle of Hillerød on three islands in the castle lake.

In the 1560s, King Frederick II acquired a country manor called Hillerodsholm from a naval hero named Herluf Trolle. Trolle had a wife named Birgitte Goye. King Frederik renamed the house as Frederiksborg. When the king died his son Christian IV succeeded to his thrown. It took 20 years for Christian IV to beautify the castle his father left him. The castle was built in Dutch Renaissance style with sweeping gables, sandstone decorations and copper-covered roofs and spires. But in 1859, a tragedy swept the castle. Fire almost burned the whole of the main building including its roof. It was rebuilt in 1860-1864 with the financial support of a brewer named J. C Jacobsen of Carlsberg. The Castle provided a fairytale backdrop to the wedding of Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra in November 1995.

Saint Patrick's Day is a very momentous even in the lives of the Irish people. It's by far the largest crowd-drawing celebration in the country that is being celebrated once a year on March 15- 19. The recent celebration drew the attention of over a million spectators coming from all parts of Great Britain. The gathering involves people of all ages enjoying the fun and merry-making that the party has to offer. Music, food, games, carnivals and people in costumes surround the city of Dublin at the onset of Saint Patrick's day. the week-long celebration highlights a spectacular fireworks display at night, a street parade showcasing many talented Irish and an open air music that signifies that it's time to party.

The celebration is symbolized by a three-leafed Shamrock clover which St. Patrick used to represent the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Spirit). It is also considered a lucky emblem among Irish people playing an important role in their history. When the English invaded the Celtics, they wore a shamrock to show their nationalism. Although the celebration was contemplated to be a religious one, in recent times it has become more of festivities and a celebration of Irish nationalism.

You may know this place as what the controversial best-seller The Da Vinci Code refers as "In London lies a knight a Pope interred." The Westminster Abbey served as the site where the story reached its climax and the real enemy was unmasked. Apparently, the knight that was being referred to was Sir Isaac Newton. The renowned scientist was buried in the Abbey and was not interred by a Vatican Pope, but by his friend Alexander Pope.

Formally known as The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster, the Abbey is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English monarchs. It is situated in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. According to tradition, a fisherman on the River Thames saw a vision of Saint Peter. A shrine was first founded in on the present site, then known as Thorn Ey (Thorn Island). King Edward the Confessor built the stone Abbey around 1045–1050 which he chose as the site for his burial. Initially, it served as a coronation site of Norman kings like King Harold and William the Conqueror. Together with Newton, other historical persons buried in the Abbey include Charles Darwin, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Laurence Olivier.

Although it has been celebrated in major cities all over the world, like Acapulco, San Francisco, Tel Aviv, and Santiago, Berlin still serves as the birth place of the Love Parade. It is usually held during the middle weekend of July. The event features loud Trance, House, Techno, and Schranz music, and the crowd is so much bigger compared to most concerts. The wild party lives on trucks with water-cooled sound systems producing a sound floor of many megawatts. The Love Parade had been flocked with controversy over the years for housing people's exhibitionist tendencies. Not only will you have to look out for what people will wear, but also what they would not wear.

The Love Parade was first celebrated in the German city in 1989, four months before the fall of The Berlin Wall. Matthias Roeingh, also known as "Dr. Motte," and his fresh Berlin Underground initiated the event as a political demonstration for peace and international understanding through music. It was originally held at the famous Berlin "Ku'damm," but by 1996 it was moved to "Straße des 17. Juni" to accommodate the growing crowd. People from other countries travel to Berlin to take part in the Love Parade. Over a million people was recorded to have participated in the Parade from 1997 to 2000.