The best Vienna is Prague

"The best Vienna is Prague," says location manager for The Illusionist Jaroslav Vaculik, as quoted in the December 2006/January 2007 issue of Budget Travel Magazine. (For the record, The Illusionist was apparently filmed on location in Prague, yet it is set in Austria)

Ouch. He must be receiving lots of hate-mail, in German, nowadays.

How about if you could have the best of both worlds?

Here's to a great price for a 6-night train package combining both Prague and Vienna!
If you travel in the low season (i.e. January - March), you will pay roughly $645 (you might want to add your own taxes, depending on your departure airport).

When in London...

...do as London and UK restaurant guide Harden's tells you.

Not only they have provide reviews of restaurants, but they also are based in London, therefore the information is probably fresher than other guides.

On their site, you can search restaurants by cuisines or by features - so now you have no excuse for claiming that all British food is bland.

While researching your next trip to London, check out their top 10 London restaurants. You might be surprised to find out that French cuisine is making a come back, as chef Morgan Meunier can probably testify.

On the same note, here's a way to save for that fancy dinner in London: travel to London during the European low-season (January - March): Air + 5 nts = $539

The World of Biedermeier

While I clearly had no idea what it was about when I came upon the book World of Biedermeier, I must say I am now tempted to travel to Vienna, Berlin, and Potsdam, where the authors have thoroughly explored numerous castles and royal residences, baths, museum attics in their quest for the ultimate Biedermeier guide.

Their goal (beautifully accomplished) was to bring together everything Biedermeier - furniture, decorative ornaments, paintings, porcelain, crystal, and fabrics. The result was a 416-page reference book filled with astonishing detailed photographs.

After you check the book out, you might also embark upon a trip to Germany or Austria. And while you are there, why not splurge with a detour to Prague as well?

Here's a trip idea from EuropeanDestinations: Berlin-Prague-Vienna for 9 nights

Bringing Tuscany Home

There is no doubt in my mind that Frances Mayes has cornered the Tuscany market. She has become the de facto expert on Tuscany. Her 2004 book 'Bringing Tuscany Home - Sensuous Style from the Heart of Italy' strays away from the world of travel (sort of) and enters the wonderful and competitive realm of home decorations. Her spin is, of course, Tuscany.

Beautiful photographs make this book extremely appealing as a coffee table item, although recipes for Tuscan meals as well as descriptions of Tuscan elements of design abound.

While I don't think I can take more of Tuscany, this book is definitely worth reading if you are willing to intimately know your destination.

Berlin's Cultural Best

Jason Sheftell of Frommer's came up with some great deals related to Berlin in his 6 Nights of Berlin's Cultural Best for Under $750.

Whether you choose to stay in Berlin alone or visit a combination of cities in the area, you have plenty to choose from should you decide to go.

Here are some additions ideas:

Berlin - Prague

Paris - Berlin

Berlin - Prague - Vienna

Berlin - Dresden - Prague

Paris - Berlin - Prague

Amsterdam - Paris - Berlin - Prague

Paris - Berlin - Prague - Budapest

Gute Reise!

Chasing Architectural Wonders

If you are no longer content with Europe's beaten path (i.e. you politely yawn when people tell you how wonderful the Louvre is), why not look for the edgy, trendy in architectural design.

One of the most prestigious architectural prizes is the annual Royal Institute of British Architecture Stirling Prize. Not necessarily limited to the Ol' Continent, the winners and the runner-ups are usually from Europe. Surprised?

If you have any doubts in your mind, consider keep in mind that two of 2005 runner ups were two factories:

BMW Central Building, Leipzig, Germany - Zaha Hadid Architects

McLaren Technology Centre, Woking, Surrey - Foster and Partners

And if you want to visit the 2005 winner, why not go to Scotland - the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh.