Ales Stenar

The megalithic Iron Age monument of Ales Stenar has watched out over the Baltic Sea for over 1400 years. Some believe its a burial site and others believe its an astronomical one. Whatever its true purpose, its a beautiful spot to admire the Österlen coast: with views of the Baltic, the island of Bornholm, and the sprawling countryside which is characteristic of this region.

Ales Stenar (Ale’s Stones) is a megalithic Iron Age monument on the southeast coast of Skåne, in southern Sweden. The monument stands 32 meters above sea level on the hills of Kåsehuvud, beside the village of Kåseberga, overlooking the Baltic Sea. The monument consists of 59 large stones arranged in the outline of a ship, 67 metres long and 19 metres wide. The monument was constructed 1400 years ago, during the late Iron Age. The purpose of the monument is not entirely clear; some believe its a burial site, while others believe it’s an astronomical calendar. Carbon-14 dating on organic matter indicates human presence at the site dating back 5500 years.

Kåseberga

Kåseberga is a small village a couple of hundred metres from Ales Stenar. The village was mentioned as far back as 1684, noted for its small fishing industry. Today Kåseberga is primarily known as the gateway to Ales Stenar. Most visitors pass through the village and park at the harbour, from where the main track to Ales Stenar departs. Beside the harbour is a number of shops and retaurants catering to visitors. You can find some exceptional fish and chips here!

How to Get to Ales Stenar

Bus From Ystad

Route: Regionbuss 322
Duration: 25 minutes
Price: 42 SEK
Frequency: Every 2-3 hours 

Take Regionbuss 322 from Ystad to Kåseberga. The bus stop in Kåseberga is just 200 metres from the sea. Follow the road towards the coast. The trail to Ales Stenar begins near the end of the road. Entry is free.

Zakopane to Morskie Oko

The picturesque Morskie Oko is perhaps the most famous natural destination in Poland. The lake is surrounded by lush green forest and towered over by the mighty Tatra Mountains. 

Morskie Oko (Polish: “Sea Eye” or “Eye of the Sea”) is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains, located in the Tatra National Park in the south of Poland. Morskie Oko is one of the few lakes in the Tatra Mountains naturally stocked with fish. In the past this earned the lake the name of “Fish Lake”. According to legend, the lake was connected to the sea via an underground passage, hence the name “Sea Eye” or “Eye of the Sea”. The peaks of the Tatra Mountains that surround the lake rise over 1000 metres.

Morskie Oko is one of the most popular destinations in the Tatras, receiving over 50,000 visitors a year. It takes two hours to hike to Morskie Oko from the trailhead at Palenica Białczańska, a distance of 8 kilometres. Many tourists opt to take a horse-drawn cart to Włosienica, leaving a distance of only 1.5 kilometres left to hike. 

To reach Morskie Oko, you first need to get to the resort town of Zakopane. There are regular buses to Zakopane from Krakow, costing 18 PLN, and taking approximately two hours. From Zakopane, you need to take another bus to the Morskie Oko trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. Buses are marked “Morskie Oko” and take around half an hour, costing 18 PLN (2023). On arriving at Palenica Białczańska, pay the Tatra National Park entry fee of 5 PLN (per person per day) at the kiosk. If you have driven to Palenica Białczańska, parking is 25 PLN per day.

From Palenica Białczańska, it’s an approximately two hour gradual uphill walk along a sealed road to Morskie Oko (1395m). It’s not a particularly pleasant walk with hundreds upon hundreds of people walking up and down the road and horse carriages pushing you to the side of the road every ten minutes. Give the horses a wide berth as some will try to give you a bite if they think you’re too close. For those wanting to cut out some walking, you can ride in one of the horse carriages for 90 PLN per person (2023). The carriages take approximately one hour and bring visitors to Włosienica, 1.5 kilometres from Morskie Oko.

On arriving to Morskie Oko there are two huts, commonly known as the Old Hut and the New Hut. The first shelter at Morskie Oko was built in 1836. This shelter burned down in 1865. A new shelter was constructed in 1874. A coach house (Polish: Wozownia) was built in 1890 to accommodate the coaches that came to the lake. The new hut burned down in 1898 and Wozownia was converted and into the main shelter. In 1907 construction began on a new hut – Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko, commonly refered to as the New Hut. The new hut officially opened in 1908. Today Wozownia is often refered to as the Old Hut (Polish: Stare Schronisko). It still houses guests and is the oldest mountain hut in the entire Polish Tatras. Both huts provides lodging, with the New Hut having a busy restaurant. Having a nice cold Polish beer is my recommendation!

The New Hut is situated right on the edge of the lake with a magnificant view. This is where the vast majority of visitors stop to take photos, to eat, and to rest. That makes the lakeside and area around the New Hut very crowded with literally hundreds of people sitting and loitering around. Take note that it is prohibited to swim in the lake, or for that matter even paddle. The reason for this is to protect the delicate ecosystem of the lake. As tempting as it might be to go for a dip, don’t risk it! The ban is enforced and you could be slapped with a fine for violating this rule.

Morskie Oko is roughly 500 metres wide by 800 metres long, with a total surface area of 0.3493 square kilometers. The lake reaches a depth of 51.8m deep, and typically freezes over during the winter. The lake is surrounded by the highest peaks of the Tatras, which rise over 1000 meters above its surface, including Rysy (2499 meters), the highest peak in Poland.

If you have the time I highly recommend doing a circuit of the lake. The circuit is an easy 2.6 kilometers which takes no more than an hour and you’ll get beautiful views all around the lake. Another option is to walk up to the lake Czarny Staw. Czarny Staw is at 1583m elevation, 170 metres above Morskie Oko. The lake is around half the size of Morskie Oko but is perhaps even more beautiful. Much fewer tourists make the hike to zarny Staw, expect dozens as opposed to the hundreds at Morskie Oko. If you’re up for a serious adventure with some seriously spectacular scenery, you could attempt climbing Rysy, the highest mountain in Poland.

ZAKOPANE TO MORSKIE OKO WALKTHROUGH

750m elevation
Zakopane
To reach Morskie Oko, you will first need to get yourself to the resort town of Zakopane. There are regular buses to Zakopane from Krakow, costing 18 PLN and taking approximately two hours.
750m elevation
0km, 990m elevation
Palenica Białczańska
From Zakopane, take another bus to the Morskie Oko trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. Buses are marked "Morskie Oko", take around half an hour, and cost 10PLN. Once you arrive at Palenica Białczańska, pay the Tatra National Park entry fee of 5 PLN at the kiosk. Once you've paid, its time to begin your hike!
0km, 990m elevation
2.6km, 1031m
Schronisko w Dolinie Roztoki
A shelter was built on the site in 1876. The current shelter, Schronisko w Dolinie Roztoki, was built between 1911-1912. Beds cost between 40-60 PLN depending on the time of year and type of room.
2.6km, 1031m
6.5km, 1315m
Włosienica
A small clearing 1.5km from Morskie Oko. The site was the main carpark until the 1980s. Today this is where the horse carriages stop. There's a small kiosk selling snacks under the pavilion.
6.5km, 1315m
7.9km, 1405m
Wozownia / Stare Schronisko
The first shelter at Morskie Oko was built in 1836. This shelter burned down in 1865. A new shelter was constructed in 1874. A coach house (Polish: Wozownia) was built in 1890 to accommodate the coaches that came to the lake. The new hut burned down in 1898 and Wozownia was converted and into the main shelter. In 1907 construction began on a new hut. The new hut officially opened in 1908. Wozownia is often refered to as the Old Hut (Polish: Stare Schronisko). Today Wozownia still houses guests and is the oldest mountain hut in the entire Polish Tatras. The Old Hut has 43 beds, costing 36-39 PLN per night.
7.9km, 1405m
8km, 1405m
Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko
Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko was built in 1907 and officially opened in 1908. It is commonly refered to as the New Hut, as opposed to the Old Hut (Wozownia / Stare Schronisko). The New Hut has 36 beds, costing 50-70 PLN per night. The hut has a busy restaurant which serves 28 dishes. There is also a small kiosk which sells snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
8km, 1405m
8km, 1395m
Morskie Oko
Morskie Oko is one of the most spectacular lakes of the entire Tatras. The lake is surrounded by the highest peaks which rise over 1000 meters above its surface, including Rysy (2499 meters), the highest peak in Poland.
8km, 1395m

TRIP VARIATIONS WITH DISTANCES & WALKING TIMES

Morskie Oko + Circuit

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko Circuit – 2.6km, 1h
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska – 8km, 2h
Round Trip: 18.6km, 5h

Morskie Oko + Czarny Staw

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw – 1.8km, 50m
Czarny Staw to Morskie Oko – 1.8km, 40m
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska – 8km, 2h
Round Trip: 19.6km, 5h30m

Morskie Oko + Rysy

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw – 1.8km, 50m
Czarny Staw to Rysy – 3km, 3h
Rysy to Czarny Staw – 3km, 2h30m
Czarny Staw to Morskie Oko – 1.8km, 40m
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska – 8km, 2h
Round Trip: 25.6km, 11h

Morskie Oko to Popradske Pleso (Slovakia)

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw – 1.8km, 50m
Czarny Staw to Rysy – 3km, 3h
Rysy to Chata pod Rysmi – 0.9km, 40m
Chata pod Rysmi to Popradske Pleso – 4.8km, 2h
Total Trip: 18.5km, 8h30m

Accommodation At Morskie Oko

HOW TO GET TO MORSKIE OKO

  • Krakow to Zakopane by bus, 2 hours, 18 PLN
  • Zakopane to Morskie Oko by bus, 30 minutes, 18 PLN (2023)
  • Tatra National Park fee: 5 PLN
  • From the bus stop it takes 2 hours to walk to Morskie Oko
  • A horse carriage to Morskie Oko costs 90 PLN (2023).

Skanör-Falsterbo

The medieval towns of Skanör and Falsterbo became one of the most significant centres of trade in Northern Europe following the establishment of the Skåne Market by the Hanseatic League. Today, Skanör-Falsterbo is gaining a reputation as the Swedish Riviera, with beautiful beaches and brightly coloured beachhouses.

Skanör was founded in the 1100s, and Falsterbo in the 1200s. The region around Skanör and Falsterbo was rich with herring, leading to the two towns becoming well established fishing towns. During the Middle Ages, the Hanseatic League established a fish market on the beach between Skanör and Falsterbo, the Skåne Market, and became a Kontor (a foreign trading post) of the Hanseatic League. The market became one of the most important commodity markets in Northern Europe. Cities from all over Europe came and set up fixed markets to trade. Some of the cities that traded include: Anklam, Danzig, Greifswald, Kolberg, Lübeck, Rostock, Stettin (Szczecin), Stralsund, and Wismar. Danzig, Denmark, Lübeck, Stettin, and Stralsund even built their own churches, and the Franciscan Order a chapel in 1352. 300,000 barrels of herring were traded a year. The herring salted with salt from northern Germany, and sold further throughout Europe. The Skåne Market was, at times, the largest source of income for the Danish crown.

During the 1500s, the supply of herring in the region decreased. This diminished the significance of Skanör and Falsterbo, and the Skåne Market ceased. This lead to the rapid economic decline of both Skanör and Falsterbo, and they became subsequently became insignificant small towns. Skåne was ceded to the Swedish Empire in 1658, becoming an offical part of the Swedish Empire in 1720. Skanör and Falsterbo were merged together as Skanör-Falsterbo in 1754. In 1874 and 1885, Skanör was hit by devastating fires that destroyed most of the town. The remaining old buildings and half-timbered houses were destroyed in fires in 1896 and 1911. In the early 1900s, following the opening of the Vellinge-Skanör-Falsterbo Railway, the region become a popular seaside resort area.

What to See and Do

Beaches

The main beaches are Skanörs Strand to the west, and Falsterbos Strand to the south. Both stretch for kilometres. and are famous for their colourful beach huts which stand on the sand dunes. They are very popular beaches during the summer, with many people travelling down from Malmö. At the northern end of Skanörs Strand there is even a nudist beach.

Swedish > English

Strand = beach
Havsbad = sea bath
Standbad = beach bath

Falsterbo Fyr

Falsterbo Fyr (Falsterbo Lighthouse) was completed in 1796. The original light was an open coal fire on top of the tower. In 1843, a lantern from France was installed. The lantern originally burned rapeseed oil, later paraffin, and then gas. An electric light was installed in 1935. The lighthouse was automated in 1972. The lighthouse was deactivated between 1990-1993.

Completed: 1796
Automated: 1972
Height: 25 metres
Intensity: 4000 candela
Range: 10 nautical mile

Falsterbohus

Falsterbohus was built in 1311, following the destruction of Skanörs Borg by Hanseatic forces. The Danish tax operation was transfered to Falsterbohus. Following the decline of the Skåne Market, Danish officals moved to Malmöhus in Malmö. Falsterbohus was demolished in 1596. The building known today as Falsterbohus was built in 1908 by a local railway company. It was built as a seaside hotel and for a short period even had a casino. During the Second World War the building housed Baltic and Swedish-German refugees. Today, the building is in private ownership. The ruins of the original Falsterbohus are accessible to the public.

Falsterbo Kyrka

Sankt Gertrud’s Kyrka (St Gertrud’s Church), known today as Falsterbo Kyrka, was founded in the late 1300s. The church contains a number of historical works, including: the alter from Lübeck, a side alter from Germany, a sculpture of Saint Christopher, two free-standing medieval Madonnas, and a sculpture of a kneeling princess.

Sankt Olofs Kyrka

Sankt Olofs Kyrka (St. Olof’s Church) is a medieval church founded in the 1200s. Archaeological excavations discovered that the church was built over the remains of an older church from the 1100s. The church is one of only one of four in Skåne to have a crypt, along with Lund Cathedral, Västra Ingelstad Kyrka, and Dalby Kyrka. The church under went extensive renovations in the 1800s.

Skanörs Borg

Skanörs Borg (Skanörs Castle) was a castle constructed in the 1220s by the Danish crown. The Skåne Market has become one of the most important sources of income for the Danish crown, so precaution were taken to maintain control over Skanör and Falsterbo. Danish tax collectors worked from the castle and sold fishing licenses. The castle was taken by Hanseatic forces in 1311, and the Swedes the following year. Following construction of Falsterbohus, Danish operations moved there. Skanörs Borg was left to decay and was eventually used as a quarry for the construction of the Skanör town hall. Today, all that remains is the moat and a mound where the castle once stood.

All that remains of Skanörs Borg is the small mound on the right.

Skanör Falsterbo Kallbadhus

Skanör Falsterbo Kallbadhus is a new cold bath house that is currently under construction in Skanörs Hamn (harbour). The Kallbadhus is due to be completed in 2020-2021.

Fotevikens Museum

Fotevikens Museum is an archaeological open-air museum in Höllviken. The museum consists of a reconstructed Viking Age settlement, spread over a 17 acre site. The village consists of 23 reconstructed buildings including: a blacksmith, bakery, coin workshop, weavering workshop, houses, fishing huts, and a feast hall. During the summer, the Foteviken hosts the Viking Markets – a fair that draw hundreds of craftsmen, merchants, and Vikings from over Europe.

Entrance Fees

Adults: 110 SEK
Youth: 40 SEK
Family: 250 SEK

Where to Eat

Badhytten

Hamnvägen, Skanör

Falsterbo grillen

Strandbadsvägen 1, Falsterbo

Where to Sleep

Falsterbo Camping Resort

Reuterswärds väg 1, Falsterbo

Hotell Gässlingen

Rådhustorget 6, Skanör

How To Get To Skanör-Falsterbo

Skanör-Falsterbo is approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Malmö. Skånetrafiken operate regular buses to Skanör and Falsterbo, with rides taking almost an hour and costing 51 SEK each way.

Bus From Malmö

Route: Regionbuss 100
Duration: 58 minutes
Price: 51 SEK

Stenshuvud National Park

Stenshuvud is characterised by its hilly coastal landscape, lush broadleaf forests, and beautiful white beaches. Hike up to the 97 metre high viewpoint and admire stunning views up and down the Baltic coast.

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Kivik

Kivik is home to some of the most significant Bronze Age burial sites in Scandinavia. Once you’ve got your historical fix, go for a hike in the beautiful Stenshuvud National Park. Finish your visit with a stop at Kiviks Musteri, Sweden’s oldest apple orchard.

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Nicknames of European Cities

Over the course of history inspiring nicknames have been attributed to manyof Europe’s great cities. The City of Love, The White City, The City of Light, The Eternal City, the Pearl of the Adriatic, The City of Spires, and many more. Which are your favouries?

For a shortened version, skip to the bottom of this article.

The Granite City

Aberdeen, Scotland

Grey granite has been quarried and used as the principal construction material in Aberdeen for over 300 years. Almost all public buildings in Aberdeen are constructed from granite, including The Marischal College which is the second largest granite building in the world. 

In addition to Aberdeen’s landmark buildings, the city uses granite for everything from paving, curb, and building stones, to prominent public monuments, including a public fountain made of fourteen different granites.

 

Venice of the North

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has more than 100 kilometers canals, most of which were dug during the 1600s. The canals incorporate 90 islands and over 1500 bridges. The city has been compared to Venice for many years, eventually gaining the nickname “Venice of the North”. In 2010, the canals of Amsterdam were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

City of the Violet Crown

Athens, Greece

In classical literature, Athens was sometimes referred to as the “City of the Violet Crown”. This nickname was first recorded by Pindar (518–438 BC), an Ancient Greek poet from Thebes. Pindar gave much praise to Athens, calling it among other epithets: “the Glorious City”, “Bulwark of Hellas”, and “City of Sunlit Splendour”. Athens is located in Attica, a region characterised by its low humidity, which often has a lot of dust in the air. This makes for spectacular sunsets with hues of purple and violet, with the sun sometimes setting into a purple haze.

City of Counts

Barcelona, Spain

The County of Barcelona was created by Charlemagne in 801, after having conquered the region and partitioned it into various counties. The successive Counts of Barcelona extended their influence through marriage, alliances and treaties, eventually acquiring the other Catalan counties.

In 1137, the County of Barcelona formed a dynastic union with the Kingdom of Aragon, known as the Crown of Aragon, with the marriage of Queen Petronilla of Aragon and Count Raymond Berenguer IV of Barcelona. Ramon Berenguer IV died in 1162, and Petronilla abdicated in 1164, allowing their son Alfonso II to become the first King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona. The title of Count of Barcelona eventually merged with the Spanish crown.

The Grey City

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is both the capital and largest city of Germany. The earliest settlements in the area date from the 1100s, with 1237 considered the founding date of the city. Berlin quickly became one of the most prominent cities in Germany, and in 1701 became the capital of Prussia and later the German Empire. During World War II, 50% of the city was destroyed and following the war Germany and Berlin alike were split into four zones of occupation. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, with the reunification of Germany occurring the following year. Today Berlin is considered one of the cultural capitals of Europe.

The nickname, the gray city, while ambiguous – is believed to allude to the severely damaged city and its subsequent reconstruction, at the loss of its former architectural heritage.

“When I came to the city that I hadn’t seen for years, I stopped. The huge city had fallen to its knees like a gray giant, the roofs were on the ground floor. A forest of ruins surrounded the wanderer. […] The city was silent. “ – Günter Weisenborn, 1945

City of a Thousand Trades

Birmingham, England

The Industrial Revolution began in the 1760s and Birmingham quickly became the most prominent industrial city in England. In 1791, Birmingham was hailed as the “first manufacturing town in the world”. The city produced exceptional advances in science, technology, and economic development, with numerous innovations that laid the foundations of modern industry. Birmingham had thousands of small workshops, drawing the most highly skilled trades people from all over the country. Today, Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom.

The Fat One, The Red One

Bologna, Italy

Bologna is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. The city and region alike, is renowned for its cuisine. The most famous specialities that originate from this area are Bolognese sauce, prosciutto, mortadella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. This has earned Bologna the nickname of “la grassa” (the fat).

Another nickname attributed to the city is “la rossa” (the red). This is a reference to the colour of the bricks of the buildings in the historic city centre. The name later became assosiated with the communist ideology which was supported by the majority of the population following World War II.

City of Wine

Bordeaux, France

Wine was introduced to the Bordeaux region by the Romans around 100AD and has remained in continuous production since. The Bordeaux region has a ideal climate for growing grape vines and over the centuries became world-renowned for its wine. Today Bordeaux has over 6700 wine producers.

Beauty on the Danube, Little Big City

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava is a capital of Slovakia, located on Danube river at a tripoint with Austria and Hungary.

Early settlements existed in the area around Bratislava since the iron age, with Celts having had established a fortified town on the site by 150BC. Between 100-400AD, the Danube River acted as a border between the Roman Empire, on the southern side, and the Barbaricum (German tribes), on the northern side. Slavs began arriving to the area between the 400-500s. By the 900s, the town became known as Pressburg (German and English) / Pozsony (Hungarian) / Prešporok (Slovak).

Pressburg was absorbed into the Kingdom of Hungary in the 1000s, and developed into an important economic and administrative centre on the kingdom’s frontier. Its strategic position made it the site of frequent attacks and battles, but also brought it economic development and high political status. Pressburg was granted town privileges in 1291 and declared a free royal town in 1405. The Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Mohács in 1526 and the kingdom was subsequent partitioned and Hungary became a part of the Habsburg Monarchy. The Ottomans soon besieged Pressburg and Vienna too, but failed to conquer them. In 1536, as a consequence of Ottoman advances, the Hungarian capital was transfered to Pressburg from Buda (which was captured in 1541). In 1848, as a result of the decline of the Ottoman Empire and its influence on the region, Pest replaced Pressburg as the capital of Hungary (the cities of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda would unite into Budapest in 1873). The Habsburg Monarchy united in 1867 and became the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1918, following World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed.

In October 1918, the new state of Czechoslovakia was declared, and in 1919 Pressburg was officially renamed Bratislava. In 1938, Czechoslovakia was occupied by Nazi Germany, and in 1945 by the Soviet Union. In 1948, Czechoslovakia came under Communist rule and became a satellite state of the Soviet Union.

In November 1989, the Velvet Revolution began with demonstrations against communist rule. By the end of November, without any violence, the Communist party relinquish power. In December 1989, a non-communist government was appointed and in June 1990 Czechoslovakia held its first democratic elections since 1946. In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two countries – Czech Republic and Slovakia – in what became known as the Velvet Divorce. Bratislava became capital of the newly independent Slovakia.

Today, Bratislava is a city of approximately 500,000 and receives over a million tourists a year.

Capital of Europe

Brussels, Belgium

Little Paris, Paris of the East

Bucharest, Romania

Pearl of the Danube, Queen of the Danube

Budapest, Hungary

City of Arcades

Cardiff, Wales

City of Spires

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Fair City

Dublin, Ireland

Pearl of the Adriatic

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Auld Reekie (Old Smokey), Athens of the North

Edinburgh, Scotland

City of Lilies

Florence, Italy

The Peace Capital

Geneva, Switzerland

Little London, New Amsterdam

Gothenburg, Sweden

White City of the North

Helsinki, Finland

Mother of Rus’ Cities

Kiev, Ukraine

Queen of the Sea, City of Seven Hills, City of the Light

Lisbon, Portugal

The City, The Square Mile, The Old Smoke, The Big Smoke

London, England

The Forum

Madrid, Spain

Cottonopolis, Warehouse City, Madchester, The Rainy City

Manchester, England

Phocean City

Marseille, France

Fashion Capital of the World, The Drinkable City

Milan, Italy

The First Throne, The Whitestone, The Forty Soroks, The Third Rome

Moscow, Russia

World City with Heart, Toytown

Munich, Germany

City of the Sun

Naples, Italy

Angels City

Nice, France

The Tiger City

Oslo, Norway

City of Love, City of Light

Paris, France

City of Hundred Spires, The Golden City, The Mother of Cities

Prague, Czechia

The Eternal City, City of the Seven Hills, Capital of the World

Rome, Italy

Gateway to Europe

Rotterdam, Netherlands

The White City

Salzburg, Austria

Jerusalem of Europe, Jerusalem of the Balkans

Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Diocletian’s City

Split, Croatia

Window to the West, Window to Europe

St Petersburg, Russia

City of Islands, Venice of the North

Stockholm, Sweden

City of Peace and Justice

The Hague, Netherlands

The Diocletian’s City

Split, Croatia

Bride of the Sea, Queen of the Adriatic, City of Water, City of Masks, City of Bridges, The Floating City, City of Canals

Venice, Italy

City of Dreams, City of Music, City of Love, The Imperial City

Vienna, Austria

Jerusalem of Lithuania, Rome of the North, Athens of the North

Vilnius, Lithuania

Paris of the North

Warsaw, Poland

City of Hundred Bridges

Wroclaw, Poland

Little Vienna

Zagreb, Croatia

Little Big City

Zurich, Switzerland

City Nickname
Aberdeen, Scotland The Granite City
Amsterdam, Netherlands Venice of the North
Athens, Greece City of the Violet Crown
Barcelona, Spain City of Counts
Berlin, Germany The Grey City
Birmingham, England City of A Thousand Trades, Brum
Bologna, Italy The Fat One, The Red One
Bordeaux, France City of Wine
Bratislava, Slovakia Beauty on the Danube, Little Big City
Brussels, Belgium Capital of Europe
Bucharest, Romania Little Paris, Paris of the East
Budapest, Hungary Pearl of the Danube, Queen of the Danube
Cardiff, Wales City of Arcades
Copenhagen, Denmark City of Spires
Dublin, Ireland The Fair City
Dubrovnik, Croatia Pearl of the Adriatic
Edinburgh, Scotland Auld Reekie (Old Smokey), Athens of the North
Florence, Italy City of Lilies
Geneva, Switzerland The Peace Capital
Gothenburg, Sweden Little London, New Amsterdam
Helsinki, Finland White City of the North
Kiev, Ukraine Mother of Rus’ Cities
Lisbon, Portugal Queen of the Sea, City of Seven Hills, City of the Light
London, England The City, The Square Mile, The Old Smoke, The Big Smoke
Madrid, Spain The Forum
Manchester, England Cottonopolis, Warehouse City, Madchester, The Rainy City
Marseille, France Phocean City
Milan, Italy Fashion Capital of the World, The Drinkable City
Moscow, Russia The First Throne, The Whitestone, The Forty Soroks, The Third Rome
Munich, Germany World City with Heart, Toytown
Naples, Italy City of the Sun
Nice, France Angels City
Oslo, Norway The Tiger City
Paris, France City of Love, City of Light
Prague, Czech Republic City of Hundred Spires, The Golden City, The Mother of Cities
Rome, Italy The Eternal City, City of the Seven Hills, Capital of the World
Rotterdam, Netherlands Gateway to Europe
Salzburg, Austria The White City
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina Jerusalem of Europe, Jerusalem of the Balkans
Split, Croatia The Diocletian’s City
St Petersburg, Russia Window to the West, Window to Europe
Stockholm, Sweden City of Islands, Venice of the North
The Hague, Netherlands City of Peace and Justice
Venice, Italy Bride of the Sea, Queen of the Adriatic, City of Water, City of Masks, City of Bridges, The Floating City, City of Canals
Vienna, Austria City of Dreams, City of Music, City of Love, The Imperial City
Vilnius, Lithuania Jerusalem of Lithuania, Rome of the North, Athens of the North
Warsaw, Poland Paris of the North
Wroclaw, Poland City of Hundred Bridges
Zagreb, Croatia Little Vienna
Zurich, Switzerland Little Big City

13 Dutch Foods You Must Try In The Netherlands

There are many amazing Dutch foods and treats worth checking out on your next visit to the Netherlands. Whether your flavour is sweet or savoury, you’ll be sure to find something you love on this list of 13 Dutch foods below.

Appeltaart

Appeltaart is the Dutch version of an apple pie, traditionally with a lattice on top. Yum!

Bitterballen

Bitterballen are meatballs covered in a mixture of broth, butter, flour, parsley, salt and pepper, which are then battered and deep fried, and usually served with mustard. These go great with beer!

Drop

Drop is Dutch style liquorice, which can be salty, sweet, or somewhere in between. I’ll pass on the salty thank you!

Kaas

Kaas is Dutch for cheese, of which there are many in the Netherlands. The two most famous Dutch cheeses are Edam and Gouda. Be sure to visit a cheese store or two and try a few free samples!

Kibbeling

Kibbeling is the Dutch version of fish and chips.

Oliebollen

Oliebollen are deep fried balls of dough, literally meaning ‘oil balls’, dusted in powdered sugar.

Ontbijtkoek

Ontbijtkoek, meaning breakfast cake, is a cake spiced with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sometimes aniseed. It is traditionally served for breakfast, spread with butter.

Patat Frites

Patat Frites are ordinary old fries topped with a big dollop of mayonnaise – the Dutch classic. There are a range of other popular toppings to try if mayo isn’t your thing.

Poffertjes

Poffertjes are mini pancakes topped with powdered sugar and butter, and sometimes syrup and whipped cream.

Snert

Snert is the Dutch version of pea soup. It’s topped with slices of rookworst (smoked sausage), and traditionally served with roggebrood (rye bread) and bacon.

Stamppot

Stamppot is a traditional Dutch dish made of mashed potato and a combination of one or more vegetables, and typically topped with rookworst (smoked sausage).

Stroopwafel

Stroopwafel (syrup waffle) is the Dutch version of a waffle. It consists of two thin layers of baked dough with a layer of caramel in between. They make an excellent side to a coffee!

Tompouce

Tompouce are a rectangular pastry consisting of two layers of puff pastry filled with yellow pastry cream, topped with pink icing, and sometimes whipped cream. They’re quite messy to eat!

Eet smakelijk!

Monarchies of Europe

As an Australian, when I think about monarchy, I think of the British monarchy. Without a doubt, the British monarchy is the most famous monarchy in the world. During the colonial period the British Empire invaded and conquered their way around the globe, coming to…

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Dubrovnik Airport

How to get to Dubrovnik from Dubrovnik Airport

Airport Name: Dubrovnik (Čilipi) Airport
Airport Code: DBV
Airport Location: Čilipi, Croatia
Distance to airport: 22km		 Dubrovnik Airport is located approximately 22km south east of the city of Dubrovnik. There are three bus companies which provide regular transportation between Dubrovnik Airport and Dubrovnik. If you’re going straight to the old town from the airport, you should exit the bus at the Dubrovnik Cable Car (Žičara). The distance between the old town and the main bus station is 3.7km, a walk of around 50m.

Main Bus Station <> Old Town
Bus Line: Libertas
Route: 1, 1A, 1B
Single Ticket: 12kn at a kiosk, 15kn on the bus, valid 1h
Day Pass: 30kn at selected kiosks, valid for 24h

 

Bus Line: ATLAS
Duration: 30m
Price: 40kn (EUR5.40) one way, 70kn (EUR9.40) return

Airport to Dubrovnik
Frequency: 20-30 minutes after every flight arrival.

Dubrovnik to Airport
Frequency: 120 minutes before international flights, 90 minutes before domestic flights. Schedules available on their website.

Dubrovnik to Airport bus stops:
– Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (3.7km north of the old town, close to the bridge)
– Autobusna stanica / Autobusni kolodvor +3m
– Dubrovnik Cable Car (Žičara) +10m
– Srebreno +15m
– Plat +20m
– Dubrovnik Airport +30m

How to purchase a ticket:
– Atlas travel agency counter (airport)
– Atlas ticket dispenser (airport)
– From the bus driver when the Atlas counter is closed
– Online
– Dubrovnik Office, Lokrumska 1

Bus Line: Libertas Dubrovnik
Route: 11, 27, 38
Duration: 30m
Price: 28kn (EUR3.70)

Dubrovnik to Airport:
10:00, 12:00*, 14:15**, 20:10

Airport to Dubrovnik:
06:00, 08:00*, 12:25**, 16:45**, 18:55

* Does not operate on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
** Does not operate on Sunday and public holidays.

Bus Line: Arriva
Frequency: 9 departures daily
Duration: 30m
Price: 40kn (EUR5.40)

Pick up Points:
Dubrovnik Main Bus Station
Dubrovnik Cable Car (Žičara)