TRAVEL MAGAZINE

Top modernist buildings in Barcelona that are not designed by Gaudí

When talking about Barcelona’s architecture, most of the people think about Gaudí. Of course the genius artist has changed the image of the city, but Barcelona wouldn’t be as holistic and charming if it wasn’t for the contribution of other very talented architects.

Lluís Domènech i Montaner

Palau de la Música

Inaugurated in 1908, the building was made for the Orfeó Català, a choral society founded in 1891 that was a leading force in the Catalan cultural movement of the Renaixença (Catalan Rebirth). The design of the Palau de la Música is typical of Catalan modernism, where curves predomínate over straight lines, dynamic shapes are preferred over static forms and a rich decoration of floral and other organic objects is used. The building is located in Carrer Palau de la Música, in Casc Antic of Barcelona (Ciutat Vella district). Nowadays host some of the top classic music concerts of Catalunya, Spain and the world.

Casa Fuster

Built between 1908 and 1910, it is situated in Passeig de Gràcia, next to Diagonal (center of Barcelona). The building has the typical modernist signs of the momento with its big columns made of red stone, trilobal windows and floral decoration. Nowadays the building is a luxury hotel with a nice bar and terrace that host occasional jazz concerts.

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

One of the biggest hospitals of Barcelona (located in the neighborhood of Guinardó), the complex was designed by the Catalan modernist archictect. Together with Palau de la Música Catalunya, it s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the hospital was open in the XV century, it was between 1902 and 1930 when it was renewed by the modernost architect Domènceh i Montaner.

Josep Puig i Cadafalch

Casa Amatller

The building is inside the modernism style in Barcelona, and along with Casa Batlló (Gaudí) and Casa Lleó-Morera (Domènech i Montaner), it makes the three most important bulidings in Barcelona-as Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord). This block is situated in Passeig the Gràcia with Aragó.

Casa de les Punxes

Designed by the Catalan modernist architect, the buiilding is situated in the intersection of three surrounding streets: Diagonal, Carrer Rosselló and Carrer Bruc (Eixample district) very close to our outstanding vacation rental Plaza Catalunya Residence. The building has a reminiscence of old medieval castles, with elements of different architectural trends and various technical innovations, with six pointed towers crowned by conical spikes. Casa de les Punxes is one of the most emblematic buildings of Barcelona. In 1976 was declared as a historical monument of National interest.

Salvador Valeri i Pupurull

Casa Comalat

Situated in Diagonal with Carrer Còrsega (Eixample district), the building was built between 1906 and 1911. The facade is made of stone and it is well decorated. It has 12 balconies with their bases decorated sculpturally.

When you are planning the visit to the city, put these sightseeings in your to see list. Those architectural master pieces are not a step behind the creations of Gaudí, they are on the same level. Just keep in mind, Barcelona is not only Gaudí.

Best Paris Luxury Rentals

Stay in the finest homes in Paris

Maybe the Europe’s most famous – and most beautiful – capital, Paris has been the epicentre of artists, writers, and travellers for hundreds of years, captivating their imagination and being the torch of illustration for the whole world. From its impressive wide avenues to its charming tiny squares, the city of lights is the perfect destination for luxury holidays.

Here is a selection of the most beautiful luxury apartments in the most exclusive locations that will guarantee your perfect stay.

Paris IV-Le Marais

Le Marais is the closest you will get to the feel of medieval Paris and has more pre-revolutionary buildings and streets left intact than any other area in the city. A lively neighbourhood with lots of trendy bars, shops, and restaurants.

Marais Garden Residence

This luxury vacation apartment offers peace and quiet and a contemporary feeling in a historic setting. Marais Garden is located in a 17th century monastery and was completely rebuilt using all original materials. Read more

Angevin Prestige Residence

There is no place quite like this exquisite luxury apartment to make you feel the charm of Paris, as the beautiful city lies at your doorstep. Designed in 2014, this location combines modernity, charm and luxury. Read more

Paris VII-Saint Germain

The neighborhood is among the most prestigious in the capital. Stroll along the boulevard and you will be able to breathe a concentrate of culture and art, in the heart of the French historical institutions and luxury boutiques.

Saint-Thomas Residence

This prestigious luxury home is located in the heart of Paris’s high-end left bank (“Rive Gauche”), hidden behind a splendid façade of the renowned street Boulevard Saint Germain, which needs no further introduction. The perfect choice for a short or long term stay with family and friends. Read more

Eiffel Tower Apartment

Situated close to the Eiffel Tower, this spacious 2-bedroom and 2-bathroom apartment has been recently redecorated: typical Turkish carpets, white furniture, orange-brown bathroom tiles, a note of faded Kurd lemon yellow in the bedrooms. Read more

Paris V-Latin District

Intellectual life, stunning architecture and ongoing cheerfulness. With small streets and classical buildings, the Latin Quarter feels like a village. In the historical part, you will find the 800-year-old Sorbonne University (where Latin used to be the common tongue) and the famous Pantheon. Around rue Mouffetard is where the life is: crêperies, fine street food, student cafés, great shops and terraced brasseries!

Chocolate Factory Residence

Original and secret, this is the sweetest residence you could find in Paris, we guarantee it. Its sweetness comes from its past uses, as the loft used to be a chocolate factory. Read more

Notre Dame Luxe Residence

If you want to spend exceptional moments with your loved one or if you are searching for a cosy nest only for you, this 1-bedroom apartment is your perfect place. Beautifully decorated, this residence offers a romantic atmosphere, promising meaningful moments and deep relaxation. Read more

Paris VIII- Champs Élysées

The Champs Elysées district is undoubtedly Paris as you usually imagine it. Wide avenues, designed by Baron Haussmann, showcase all the opulence and luxury of the city.

Anjou Palace Residence

Discover an easy, relaxed way of living at a two-level apartment in the famous boutique-lined Faubourg St.-Honoré district. This duplex achieves Haussmanian splendor without a hint of stuffiness—ideal for a multiple generations of a family traveling together in Paris. Read more

Triomphe Residence

This restful 1-bedroom / 1-bathroom condo is full of charm and mixes classical and modern features. Enjoy this living space which is made up of a comfortable and refined living room, a well-equipped American kitchen which gives onto an agreeable dining room. Read more

Paris XVIII-Montmartre

Sacre-Coeur Triplex luxe Residence

This pretty triplex residence in Montmartre is situated right next to the Funicular. Designed in a modern style, you will feel all the comfort you need in an exceptional neighbourhood. Read more

Berthe II Residence

This cosy and charming Parisian holiday rental is conveniently located in a recently renovated building, near the Sacré-Cœur, just a few minutes away from Pablo Picasso’s workshop, right in the Butte of Montmartre. Read more

Our experts handpick the best luxury rentals in Paris and provide you with a unique range of hotel services to ensure you the perfect vacation rental.

Best Paris travel apps

Top 6 Travel Apps for visiting Paris

Paris is a vibrant city, with each of its corners full of eateries, museums, routes, attractive places, and different historical spots, and it can be overwhelming for newcomers to organize their trips in Paris for the first time. Having this in mind, Europea Residences has listed for you our favourite Paris apps so that, wherever you are, you can explore the city at your fingertips.

1. Paris Metro

The subway is the preferred way to move from place to place for Parisians and tourists, the Paris Metro app is perfect to plan your journey as it provides you with all the information on schedules and stations. With this app, you will find it easy to move through the 303 stations and 16 lines spread across the city.

2. My Little Paris

If you’re after a more interested on Paris’s cultural events, try out this app. Every few days it updates you with the last cultural events, from a Swing concert in a park to cooking lessons in a houseboat. This is the perfect app to improvise plans during your stay.

3. Le Fooding

The guide of definitive French restaurant for Parisians. Using this app is as simple as introducing your taste preferences, then the app will suggest you the best eateries nearby. You will have all the Parisian cuisine available in the palm of your hand.

4. Heetch

This is the perfect app for the night owls; if you plan to go out and need a transport between 8 pm and 6 am, Heetch is the solution you are looking for. This French app works like Uber but only operating during the night, its main advantage is that a night fee won’t be charged.

App transport Paris — The best way to come back to your holiday apartment

5. The Louvre App

Visiting the Louvre is a must-do for every visitor in Paris. As its vast collection of art pieces from all époques and cultures can be just too much for some visitors, this app would be useful in this case. The Louvre App eases you with detailed information about different expositions, itineraries, schedules and interest points of the worldwide known museum.

6. Secrets de Paris

With this app you will have the hidden spots of Paris in the palm of your hand: the best rooftops, hidden passageways, streets, the most obscure monuments, and the newest and most innovative restaurants. Secrets de Paris allows you to explore the city like real Parisians do.

App for travelling in Paris — Discover Paris in a different way

Although technology is a useful tool for travelling nowadays, at Europea Residences, we believe that nothing can compare to real human care which makes your stay truly unforgettable, that’s why our private concierge is 24/7 available to assist you in any problems you have during your stay in the city of light.

About Montmartre… and wine

Do you know that it’s possible to sip on the fine wine made of grapes grown in a Parisian vineyard? Not many people are aware of this oddity despite that there are five vineyards in the French capital. If you’re going to be in Paris between October 11^th and 15^th, you may consider going to Montmartre to join in the celebration of its 84th wine festival. Here is some information about this unique event:

One of Montmartre’s vineyards, which is called “Clos Montmartre”, has a very unusual history: Montmartre used to be a hill outside of Paris, and for many centuries it was partly covered with vineyards. Unfortunately, by the beginning of the 20^th century, the vineyards were gone and had been replaced by houses and buildings. In 1933, the City of Paris decided to have some constructions built on the wasteland it owned at the corner of rue Saint-Vincent and rue des Saules. The plan was eventually abandoned due to the opposition of local residents. Instead, the association “Le Vieux Montmartre” was allowed to create a vineyard where the wasteland was. This was a true challenge as the land was facing the North and was unable to be exposed to enough sunshine, but somehow the vineyard survived and in 1934 the first “Fete des Vendanges” was organised there, and it has been celebrated every 2^nd week of October ever since.

This harvest festival is extremely famed and captivating. For a period of 5 days, Montmartre will be exceedingly flourishing owing to the concerts, special events, exhibitions, organised visits and even balls that are going to be held over there. One of the special events is “Parcours du Goût” which invites you to taste local food. Moreover, Portugal will be the honoured guest of this year and it will bring you specialties from 5 Portuguese regions. On Thursday, October 12th, you can immerse yourself in the traditional Portuguese singing (Fado concert) at the theatre “Les Trois Baudets”. http://www.lestroisbaudets.com/spectacle/fetes-des-vendanges-lumieres-et-vins-du-portugal/

Traditionally, the “ban des vendanges” is supposed to be the opening of a grape harvest. In Montmartre, the grapes are harvested in September, but there is still a “Ban des Vendanges” during the festivities. It will take place on Saturday, Oct.14th at 10 am at the vineyard. Unfortunately, you can only participate if you are one of the lucky ones who got invited. Otherwise, you still can appreciate the incredibly colourful parade that follows the “Ban des Vendanges” which starts at Clos Montmartre at 11.45 am and finishes at Place Jules Joffrin at 1 pm. You’ll be able to see the members of the République de Montmartre with their long black capes, black hats, and red scarves. Among them are ministers, ambassadors, and of course the president. The “Petits Poulbots” is another local tradition, a drummer group made of young Montmartre inhabitants. The people wearing long capes and holding a banner are “Confréries”, associations of people who have a common interest. Usually, there are also Batucada groups (Brazilian drums) and Bagads (Celtic music) groups from Britanny. This year, Tuna, a group of Portuguese students who pay for their studies by playing music, will participate the event as well. Majorettes (some sort of cheerleaders) and many other surprises are waiting for you!

As for the wine “Clos Montmartre”, let’s be honest, it used to be criticised as “not worth drinking”. Thanks to some enologists, the vineyard experienced positive evolution afterwards. Nowadays, this Parisian wine is said to be “decent”. Clos Montmartre is a small vineyard of less than 2000 square meters, and its usual production varies from 1000 to 2000 bottles a year. The Syndicat d’Initiative of Montmartre has them in the store all year round, and you can also buy one at 50 euros a bottle from their site: https://www.comitedesfetesdemontmartre.com/?p=21.

A bit too expensive for a “decent” wine? Well, it’s a good deed too, since the Syndicat d’Initiative allocates the money to their charitable projects…

Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free Barcelona

Just like most modern cities, Barcelona has a great variety of food to please everybody. Vegan, vegetarian or intolerant, you can still find a lot of options to enjoy a great meal in this great city. If you are looking for vegan paella or gluten free tapas here are some restaurants you can not miss:

Cat Bar

veggie-burger-and-patatas-bravas — (Credit: Barcelona Lowdown)

This small vegan restaurant is situated in the center of the city, next to one of its main streets, Via Laietana. It is known for some of the best vegan burgers in town. The lunchtime menu always features the mouth-watering veggie burger and other dishes that are not only tasty but also absolutely divine. On top of that, you can enjoy a large selection of authentic Catalan craft beers.

Veggie Garden

asian fusion vegan food in Barcelona — (Credit: The Dream Boat)

Placed next to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), this restaurant offers Asian-infused vegan food. Two of its specialities are gazpacho and Indian thali. It is an excellent choice for lunchtime as the menu includes an appetiser, a main dish, and a glass of water or wine.

Petit Brot

Vegan dish of one f the may vegan restaurants in Barcelona — (Credit: Plateselector)

You can find this restaurant a few minutes away from Les Rambles, in Raval. This is an organic restaurant and juicery specialised in raw vegan cuisine. It offers daily lunch menus, and also sweet and sour snacks. It is a great place to enjoy a seasonal menu with a variety of dishes, cold pressed juices and scrumptious snacks.

L’Arrós

gluten free and dairy free foo served in Barcelona — (Credit: Trending Barcelona)

Situated next to the seaside, in La Barceloneta, this paella restaurant is a great choice for people with particular type of food intolerant. The gluten-free and dairy-free dishes are clearly marked on the menu. It offers different varieties of rice dishes, including paella and arròs negre (black rice with seafood).

Cal Marius

This small bar situated next to Sagrada Família is specialised in pastrami snacks, bagels and hamburgers. Most importantly, all of the food served here is gluten free. There is also has a huge selection of beers available. At lunchtime, there are affordable menu options from 9€.

Allium

gluten free tapas cooked in Barcelona — (Credit: Allium Restaurant)

This restaurant has a splendid menu for gluten intolerant people. Situated right in the center of Barcelona, in Plaça Sant Jaume (Town Hall and Catalan Government), the menu has a large variety of dishes for everyone (gluten free and non-gluten free). All of the gluten-free dishes are marked clearly. You should definitely try the tapas, paella and salads; they are the best!

The Juice House

healthy vegan and vegetarian food prepared in Barcelona — (Credit: The Juice House)

Situated in Poble Sec (next to Montjuic Mountain), the menu of this restaurant offers a variety of Catalan, Spanish and Mexican dishes. All gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes are clearly marked, so you know exactly what you are ordering.

Som Sacs

Situated in the central district of L’Eixample, this place offers a special kind of cannelloni made of rice and a variety of other dishes. The entire menu is 100% gluten free, so you can rest assure that there will be no mix-up with your order.

At Europea Residences we hope that you found useful our vegan guide for your getaway in Barcelona!

Sitges Near Barcelona: Beach And Culture In One Day

Sitges (40km from Barcelona) is a perfect one-day getaway for lovers of the beach and culture. It is also a good opportunity to have a deeper look of the Catalan culture.

Sightseeing

The old town, situated on a hill next to the sea, is made up of narrow and winding streets. Many of the buildings are designed in the Modernist style. One of the top buildings of this area is the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla church, which was built in the 17^th century. Here are taken the most iconic pictures of the town.

The center of town is the commercial area. The most important streets are Carrer de Parellades, Carrer de Jesús, Carrer de Sant Francesc and Carrer Major.

Sitges Port is a picturesque area with boats and yachts waiting to sail the Mediterranean Sea. Passeig del Port d’Aiguadolç is the street that connects the town with the port. It is lined with palm trees and is nice to walk along. In this area, there are some good terraces and seafood restaurants.

Sitges is also a town of museums. The most important are: El Cau Ferrat (modernism art), El Museu de Maricel (20^th century art collection) and La Casa Bacardí (Catalan famous rum).

Culture

Sitges has the honour to host “The Sitges Film Festival”. This cinema festival is one of the most important international festivals of fantasy and horror films. Founded in 1968, it normally takes place in early October. The main venue is the Auditori, which can host up to 1.384 people. The Maria Award winners are the main awards of the festival, which are selected by an international jury. Movies like “Citizen X” and “Requiem” have been chosen as best films.

Sitges is also known as the host of one of the most famous carnivals of Catalonia and Spain. Depending on the year, it takes place between early February and early March. The streets transform into a big party where people costume up and drink and dance until the dawn. A parade also takes place during these days.

The beaches

The pearl of them all is Platja Sant Sebastià. Considered one of the best European beaches by the world known newspaper the New York Times, it is situated between the old town and the port. It is a family beach frequented by locals with more than 200 meters of coastline. From the beach, there are wonderful views of the old town.

Platja de la Ribera is right in the center of the town. During the weekends the beach is full but during the week you can enjoy its quietness and family atmosphere. Other beaches worth visiting beaches are Platja de Sitges and Platja Balmins.

How to get to Sitges from Barcelona

The fastest way is to take the C-32 highway (toll highway). It takes around 40-50 minutes by car. Another option by car is to take the picturesque C-31 road. It takes a bit more than one hour.

Sitges is also reachable by train from Barcelona. Catch the train at Passeig de Gràcia or Sants railway stations (line R2), and in 50 minutes you will be in Sitges.

Brussels: Interesting Facts About The Belgian Capital

What is unique about Brussels?

Despite it being relatively smaller than most European capitals, many unexpected great things have come from Brussels. Here are some interesting facts:

Audrey Hepburn

Remembered as the iconic British actress, model, dancer and humanitarian that she was, Audrey Hepburn was originally born on 48 rue Keyenveld in Ixelles, Brussels. Although she is not Belgian, we still pride ourselves in knowing that she came from our city.

Foodie Central

The Belgian capital has an impressive 138 restaurants per square mile, boasting every possible cuisine imaginable and making it one of the hottest destinations for foodies. From cheap eats to gastronomic Michelin starred restaurants, Brussels can satisfy any preference.

A Peeing Obsession

You’ll probably recognise this famous statue of a peeing boy, also known as the Manneken Pis. Repeatedly stolen and dressed in all sorts of costumes, this little guy is one of the main tourist attractions in Brussels. But did you know that in Brussels you can also find a peeing girl (Janneken Pis) and peeing dog statue?

Brussels fact there is also a statue of a girl being in Brussels

Brussels fact there are more peeing statues in the capital of Belgium

Don’t ask us why… It’s a thing.

The Oldest Shopping Mall in Europe

The galleries Saint Hubert opened in 1847, making them the oldest shopping arcade in Europe. Tourists will find an assortment of high end brands like Delvaux, Belgian chocolate shops, like Neuhaus and Pierre Marcolini, and other artisanal Belgian shops.

Chocolate Hub

Speaking of chocolate, we’re obsessed with it and so are our tourists. The airport in Brussels is the largest chocolate selling point in the world. Whether you’re picking up your haul in the city or at the airport, you will be met with a vast choice of famous household names like Leonidas, Godiva, Pierre Marcolini, etc.

The Biggest Court In The World

Standing at 26.000 square metres, the justice palace in Brussels is the largest court in the world. Constructed in the 19th century by Joseph Poelaert, it is currently a candidate to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument. Having been born after 1982, I have never seen this building without scaffolding, construction which is supposed to end in 2028.

Brussels sprouts

Despite being the most hated vegetable in America, the success of our local veggie around the world is indubitable. Yes, Brussels sprouts were broadly cultivated here during the 16th century. Many people think that Brussels sprouts are baby cabbages, this is because they are part of the same family but they are different vegetables.

The streets of Brussels are waiting for you!

Paris: The Best Ice Cream Parlours

With temperatures reaching 28°C this week in Paris, you must be rummaging the streets for a cool and sweet delight. Sweat no more! Make your ice cream break a truly special, truly Parisian event by visiting the best ice cream parlours this city has to offer.

The traditional one: Berthillon

Berthillon is all about tradition, creation and … passion. Situated on the charming Ile Saint-Louis, Berthillon has been hailed the best ice-cream parlour in the world. Founded in 1954, the fabrication process remains unchanged, under the caring surveillance of the founder’s granddaughter. The artisanal ice creams are created on the shop’s first floor, and this institution remains the go-to place for a traditional ice cream. The flavours are also on the traditional side, and the best sellers remain vanilla, chocolate, cafe or salted caramel. Somewhat oddly, the shop is closed in August, but you will easily find places around that sell these ice creams during this month. Keep your eyes open!

Address (closed in August): 29-31 rue Saint-Louis en l’Ile, IVe.

The hip one: Une Glace À Paris

Head to the charming neighbourhood of Le Marais to taste the creations of Olivier Ménard, who previously worked for Pierre Hermé and Harrods (London), and Emmanuel Ryon, who has been elected Meilleur Ouvrier de France as well as World Champion of Patisserie. At Une Glace À Paris, the pair offers twenty-four flavours of artisanal ice creams and sorbets « à la française », made in the shop’s basement. What makes this place special is the mix of different perfumes you can find in a single spoon. If you are an ice-cream fan, try their different flavours in a single scoop such as buckwheat-nougatine or smoked vanilla-baba au rhum. If you are more of a sorbet fan, you can safely go for their best seller: orange, carrot and ginger. The menu extends to other types of patisseries glacées. To share with your family and friends, I suggest their vacherin cake, re-imagined with mango for a modern, fresh twist.

Address: 15 rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, IVe.

The rock and roll one: Glaces Glazed

This time, prepare to be surprised by the striking modernity and boldness of the ice-creams and sorbets you can find at Glaces Glazed. Every ice-cream title is associated with a film or song, and here are a few examples of what you might expect. The Black Sugar Sex Magic is a surprising sorbet of chocolate, wasabi and ginger. The Mojito de Tokyo has a wonderful cocktail of rum, mint and organic lemon in it. Pump up the Volume contains mango and Espelette spice. If you like ice-pops, they have a nice selection as well, including their own Smell Like Teen Spirit, which contains absinthe and apple liquor. This year, you can go even bolder and try their range of wild plant flavours ice-pops. Oh, and they’re really pretty too.

Address: 54 rue des Martyrs, IXe.

The one with a twist: À la Mère de Famille

Now that we are on the subject of ice-pops, À la Mère de Famille has also decided to take the plunge this year and make their own version. The shop is already a Parisian institution for sweets and chocolates, and a must-go for those with a sweet tooth who want to taste French sucreries. They do not disappoint with their ice creams and pops! The twist to their ice-pops is the addition of their own fruit paste, cut in chunk within the juice ice-pop. Un délice! Their ice-cream selection will be a fierce rival in your decision process against the ice-pops, with comforting choices such as my all-time favourite: chocolate-caramel coated with dark chocolate with caramelized almonds.

Address: 35 rue du Faubourg Montmartre IXe.

Bon appétit!

Como: History, Charm And Picture Perfection

The romantic town of Como and its magnificent surroundings make for a perfect getaway from Milan. A one-hour long drive or train ride will be enough to reach one of the most beautiful destinations in Northern Italy. As a local, I have witnessed the growing popularity of Como amongst international visitors. Showing foreign friends around has allowed me to appreciate it even more. I am very proud to give you some advice to get the best from my wonderful hometown!

How to reach Como from Milan

Thousands of commuters and tourists shift to-and-from between Milan and Como. Therefore, several train connections are available at Centrale, Porta Garibaldi, or Cadorna railway stations. From Cadorna, only, can you travel all the way to the lakeside and the city centre. From Centrale or Garibaldi, you can reach Como San Giovanni with Switzerland-bound trains (Trenord, TiLo, or Eurocity trains). A basic Milan-Como train ticket will cost you about 10€ roundtrip (browse your options here).
By car, you can reach Como via the A1 motorway or Statale dei Giovi. Once in town, be prepared to pay for expensive parking lots, as even locals have a hard time finding parking spots in the city centre. Driving on the narrow, winding lanes of the lake or mountain villages requires above-average driving skills. Travelling by train, and then by bus or boat, is probably more suitable. Como is small and you will not really need a car to visit its attractions.

Piazza San Fedele in Como Italy — Piazza San Fedele

What to see, plus some historical background

Despite its limited size, Como offers much to see. The town is located in a basin between green hills and the south-Western tip of the namesake lake. Nature and history literally stand side by side.
Start your visit with a stroll in the old town. Its many treasures witness the city’s history, dating back to the Roman era (earlier Celtic settlements were found in the outskirts). A campsite was built there in the 1st century b.C. Little has remained of the Roman vestiges: the town came to shape during the Middle Ages, as proven by its walls and characteristic Romanesque churches. It is worth visiting San Fedele, in the beautiful namesake piazza, and Sant’Abbondio, a 10-minute walk from the centre. The tower on the top of the nearby hill is related to Holy Roman emperor Frederick I ‘il Barbarossa’, an ally of Como against Milan in the 12th century. He is still remembered in the tradition known as Palio del Baradello.

palio del baradello — *Palio del Baradello*

Como is indeed one of the earliest examples of municipality. The former centre of political power, the ‘Broletto’ tower, stands aside of the Cathedral, which is, in turn, one of the region’s most magnificent with Its distinctive green copper dome.

Broletto Como Italy — Broletto Tower and Cathedral

Neoclassical, Romantic and Art Nouveau architectures give Como an aristocratic atmosphere. To enjoy it at its best, you can walk along the waterfront. Going westwards from elegant piazza Volta, you will cross the city’s gardens, where the iconic ‘Tempio Voltiano’ celebrates Como’s most famous citizen, Alessandro Volta, the pioneer of electrical energy. Once there, you can take the promenade leading you to magnificent Villa Olmo. Instead, walking eastwards, you can opt for a funicular ride (round trip: €4.50) to Brunate, an uphill village embellished by fin-de-siècle villas and a glorious view.

View from Como Italy — Views of Como from Brunate

It is fair to warn you about Como’s reputation as one of the rainiest towns in Italy, but this does not make the landscape any less charming, adding a melancholic twist to its blue and green nuances.
Last, but not least, one defining trait of Como’s architecture is represented by many futurist and rationalist buildings and monuments, the most famous of which is certainly Palazzo Terragni, formerly known as Casa del Fascio for being the local house of the Fascist party in the 1920s-1940s. It owes its name to Giuseppe Terragni, the architect that designed it.

London: The Best Restaurants in Soho

Whether you’re shopping on Oxford Street or sightseeing and looking for a bite to eat, Soho is by far one of the best areas of London when it comes to food. Known for its density and diversity of choice, Soho will satisfy any culinary craving you might have.

Here is a list of the best restaurants in Soho.

Cookhouse Joe

This Lebanese influenced rotisserie is considered one of the cheapest yet best eats in the area. If you love chicken and mediterranean food, then look no further! The entire menu is a fusion of both cuisines. The restaurant interior is cramped with cheap furniture, you’ll be served tin trays but the food is the show stopper, paired with delicious cocktails. This is truly the best place to go for a drink after work or a quick bite after a day of shopping or before a show.

Zelman Meats

The owner of this steakhouse opened this place as a way of experimenting with the cooking of different cuts of meat and perfecting the art of grilling a steak. Although the menu is dominated with beef dishes, you’ll also find seafood (in homage to its predecessor restaurant). If you’re here for the meat, they offer three different kind of cuts: Picanha, Chateaubriand and rib. We recommend taking the Picanha for it’s deliciously smooth smoky and soft flavour, which costs an astonishingly low 6£ for 100g.

Banana Tree

This trendy Thai chain sells “tasty food at a reasonable price” and they deliver just that. Here, you can satisfy any asian food craving with their diverse menu covering Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai and Vietnamese dishes. You can accompany your curry, stir-fry, noodles with some delicious cocktails or cool beers. We recommend having the Red Saigon cocktail (vodka, raspberry, ginger syrup, lime, mint and fresh pomegranate).

So if you’re in London looking for something more exotic, we definitely recommend going to the Banana Tree.

The Queen’s Head

If you’re in for all things British, The Queen’s Head is a pub worth visiting for a meal. They pride themselves in having locally sourced ales and serve traditional pub food. The restaurant is located upstairs from the busy pub and, there, you will taste a variety of traditional British dishes from ethical and sustainable sources. So if you put aside your pessimism towards British cuisine, you might find yourself delightfully surprised.

Our recommendation: the Fish & Chips or the homemade Piccadilly Pies

Copita

Not many people know of this place, TripAdvisor will tell you that it’s only number 2000+ of restaurants in London but Copita will give you an amazing Tapas experience, I can guarantee it! If you are a tapas connoisseur, you will find all the typical dishes of the famed Spanish cuisine with a surprising but delightful twist. This is such a good place to spend time with friends and share food.

Our suggestion: the truffled goat’s cheese with almonds, honey and toast.

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