Have fun flirting with European cities - by Melissa Jenkins
The Spirit of Europe tour is a tease. Six countries in 12 days – you have just enough time to flirt with a city and fall in love, before moving on to a handsome, new contender for stand-out destination of the trip. But of all the holiday romances, it was hardest to farewell Amsterdam. Yes, there is the sleazy side to town, with the sex shows and the girls in glass windows winking at passers-by. And of course, there are the famous coffee shops that sell more than just caffeine.
But the city is not all about sex and spacecakes. Its canals invite comparisons with Venice but in Amsterdam the locals visibly outnumber tourists and ride old-school bikes in suits while still managing to look poised and chic.While Amsterdam was the most entertaining city on the trip, Budapest won the prize for the most indulgent, dripping with rich things to eat and experience.
The most charming way to spend an evening in Krakow Poland would have to be dinner and a stroll in the Jewish quarter Kazimierz, which Steven Spielberg used for location shots in his Oscar-winning film, Schindlers' List. Quirky little bars and cafes are sprinkled among the synagogues in the narrow streets. Our group had dinner at Once Upon A Time In Kazimierz. This cosy little restaurant serves Jewish and Polish specialities and seems as though it has been frozen in time. Brass fitted lights illuminate the small wooden tables, which are covered with lace clothes and candles. A wedding dress, suitcases and other bric-a-brac adorn walls. As we drank our Zubrowka vodka and spoke of our departure the next morning a mix of quiet sadness and anticipation hung over our table. I did not want to leave this stunner of a city but was equally excited to explore the next stop on our whirlwind journey.
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