Barcelona, in eastern Spain is the capital of Catalonia and one of the world's great cities. It is a modern, vibrant and sophisticated city surrounded by sloping hills and a Mediterranean coastline. Catalan pride and passion reached a peak with Barcelona hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics and the citywide investment these Games generated hasestablish...

There are some festivals and events that just have to be seen to be believed. Bridgwater Carnival the UK county of Somerset is one of these. The word carnival may lead ones thinking towards Rio, Venice, Trinidad and Tobago or New Orleans. But while these are indeed tremendous, the carnivals of Somerset, sits on a par - believe me. On the other hand...

The area of the UK now being highlighted as Shakespeare's England is, naturally enough, based around Stratford-upon-Avon. At Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, visitors can visit the houses associated with his life and that of his wife Anne Hathaway. The town is also home to the Royal Shakespeare Company where the Bard's pl...

Fasnacht is the name for the pre-Lent carnivals in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace and western Austria. It is a time for people to go 'mad' and for chaos to rule. Where hierarchies are overthrown and everyone indulges in much food and drink. While Fasnacht celebrations coincide with the pre-lent, pre-fasting period in the Catholic cities, tow...

Melton Mowbray, or just Melton, is a small county town in the north east of the English county of Leicestershire. It lies close to the picturesque Vale of Belvoir, which translates as 'beautiful view' and is an accurate description of the countryside surrounding Melton. While it is an attractive town, it is no more so than many others found through...

Wiesbaden, the capital of the German state of Hesse, is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe and a destination that has been attracting visitors to its thermal springs since Roman times. Add the somewhat less healthy (on the wallet) pursuit of gambling in the early 19thCentury and Wiesbaden's status as a major destination soared. Royalty and the a...