The Top 10 Top 10s
This month we decided to take the top ten travel tips to the next level - with the top ten things to do - in the top ten cities across Europe! We’ve tried out everything that’s worth doing in Prague, Bruges, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Brighton, Newquay, Bath and Edinburgh, so brace yourselves for the backpackers’ guide to the travel galaxy - in Europe at least!
The Top 10 Things to do in Prague
- The Old Town Square (Staromĕstské namĕsti) - watch the Astronomical Clock as it predicts your future.
- Charles Bridge - shop around the bridge markets and try out Prague’s pasáže shopping district, near Wencelas Square.
- Pražský hrad Castle - don’t miss the galleries, museums, cathedral and royal palace inside.
- Stavovské divadlo – the stunning theatre where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni.
- The Josefov Jewish Quarter - see the surviving medieval cemetery and synagogues.
- The Church of sv Mikuláš in Malá Strana - explore the dizzying heights and great photo spots.
- Havel’s Market (Havelske Trziste) - pick up your souvenirs just off Melantrichova, between Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square.
- The Petrin Tower - take the funicular up to a scaled down version of the Eifel Tower.
- Coffee and Cake Boat Tour - head down to the Vltava river and explore Prague’s past.
- Terezin - a day trip destination and chilling memorial to a Nazi - Jewish Ghetto.
The Top 10 Things to do in Bruges
- The Chocolate Line on Simon Stevinplein - the only chocolate shop in town worth a taste.
- Canal Boat Tours - The best way to see Bruges! The multi lingual guides pick up just south of Burg Square.
- Het Dagelijks Brood – a bakery serving the finest tarts and crunchy warm bread in town, near the Burg on Philipstockstraat.
- The Choco Story - a museum serving free chocolate on the way in, on the tour and on the way out! It’s on Wijnzakstraat.
- The Cinema Lumiere – for a chilled one check out this top international picture house on Sint Jacobsstraat.
- The Belfry Clock Tower - the best spot for panoramic photos of the city – 366 steps up.
- Beer at the Bauhaus - try the best Belgian beers in town with our selection of samples.
- Oostende Beach - grab a bike and head out of town. It’s a mere 20 miles away and a great day trip.
- The on 't Zand Markets - the Saturday and Wednesday morning markets serve up a great slice of local life!
- The Groeninge Museum - if you only hit one museum in Bruges then this should be it!
The Top 10 Attractions in Berlin
- The Berlin Wall - explore what’s left of the wall more than 20 years after it came down.
- The Reichstag - don’t miss out on this shiny glass architectural marvel and Germany’s seat of power.
- Checkpoint Charlie – the most well known crossing point between East and West in the Cold war.
- Beer Gardens Galore – start out with the brews in Belushi’s and grab directions to the best gardens in town!
- Brandenburg Gate – the only remaining, old school city entrance is a great place to grab a tour.
- Under den Linden – a boulevard with all the best museums, swanky stores and embassies.
- The Holocaust Memorial – three thousand concrete blocks in an unforgettable formation.
- The Gendarmenmarkt – one of the most synapse stunning squares in the world and home of the Hugenottenmuseum.
- Hitler’s Bunker – visit the concrete complex where Hitler spent his final days, under the Reich Chancellery gardens.
- The Nightlife – check out the Europe’s best clubs in the Mitte District and beyond.
The Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam
- Anne Frank Museum – a truly moving memorial that you can’t miss, on Prinsengracht 267 near the Westerkerk.
- The Van Gogh Museum – over 200 pieces from Holland’s earless hero at Paulus Potterstraat 7, Museum Square.
- The Heineken Experience – like a tour of Willy Wonker’s Chocolate Factory but with beer. Find it at Stadhouderskade 78.
- Canal Tour – hop on one of the many boats from the Central Station and explore the labyrinth of scenic canals.
- Coffee Shops – not famous for the coffee! Try Dampkring where they filmed Ocean’s Twelve, on Handboogstraat - 29.
- Rijksmuseum – the best paintings from Holland’s golden age at Jan Luijkenstraat 1, on Museum Square.
- The Red Light District – you have to! Preview it from the beer garden at the Winston before an exploratory walk.
- Vondelpark – 120 acres of green escapism, conveniently right behind the Leidseplein.
- Waterlooplein - the best flea market in town near Dam Square. From the Dam follow Damstraat and turn right at the T-crossing.
- The Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum – find it all at Oudezijdsachterburgwal 148 in the Red Light District.
The Top 10 Things to do in Paris
- Eiffel Tower – France’s most recognisable landmark. Metro: Ecole Militaire.
- Louvre – the world’s busiest museum and better than how Dan Brown penned it. Metro: Louvre Rivoli.
- Montmartre and Sacré Coeur – the best bohemia, views and the Moulin Rouge. Metro: Blanche.
- Skate Paris – join the Parisians as they skate through the city every Sunday from 16.00, on the north bank of the Seine.
- Pere Lachaise – pay your respects to Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison at this 118 acre cemetery of celebrities. Metro: Phillippe Auguste.
- Bateaux Mouche – the city’s history in an inexpensive flash. The pick up is at the Port de la Conference.
- Musée d'Orsay – more digestible than the Louvre and packed with Impressionists. RER Station: Musée d'Orsay.
- Champs Elysées – walk the avenue from Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe with boutiques galore, en route.
- Marais – a beautiful Haussman area, well know as a Jewish district and for the nightlife.
- The Palace of Versailles – the perfect day trip from Paris to the playground of Louis XIV. Tours at reception.
The Top 10 Things to do in London
- Soho – a great neighbourhood packed with bars, clubs, Chinatown and more. Underground: Tottenham Court Road.
- Trafalgar Square – it’s got pigeons galore, flash mob dances, free concerts and the unexpected! Underground: Charring Cross.
- The West End - from Noel Coward to Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the big shows can be found here. Underground: Covent Garden.
- Portobello Road Market - one of London’s biggest nick-nack markets, every Friday and Saturday. Underground: Notting Hill Gate.
- Columbia Road Flower Market - it looks like they’ve mowed the Netherlands every Sunday. Underground: Bethnal Green.
- The Victoria and Albert Museum – the definitive history of fashion, next to the ginat magnet and fun times of the Science Museum. Underground: Gloucester Road.
- The Parks - check out the best green spaces at Hyde Park and Kensington Park Gardens.
- Ministry of Sound – London’s biggest club with money off when you stay with us! Underground: Elephant and Castle.
- The Houses of Parliament – get snapped outside Big Ben or see a free debate. Underground: Westminster.
- The Tate and the Tate Modern Galleries – the old and the new of the art world with a boat trip between the two. Underground: London Bridge.
The Top 10 Things to do Brighton
- The Royal Pavilion – George IV’s playboy mansion, complete with Indian influences, Chinese designs and jewels galore.
- The Sea Life Centre – the world’s oldest working sea life centre with daily shark feeding, frenzies.
- Brighton Pier – enjoy the arcades, candy floss stalls and lots of super tasty, sea side food.
- The Lanes – mint condition vintage clothes, knock off designer glasses and eateries galore, in the boutique riddled lanes.
- Theatre Royal Brighton – see the best shows from London’s West End as they take to their national tours in Brighton.
- The Eco Garage – test drive the latest environmentally friendly vehicles around on nearby Worthing.
- The Beachfront – play volleyball on the Nivea Sun Yellowave beach, ride on the world’s first electric railway and browse the Artists Quarter.
- The Brighton Toy and Model Museum - play with over 10,000 toys in the arches of the railway station!
- City Sightseeing Bus Tours – jump on at Grand Junction, see the sea front, explore the lanes and head out to Hove.
- The Brighton i-360 – a 183m tower with an ascending, glass passenger pod, opening soon.
The Top 10 Things to do in Newquay
- The Escape Surf School – join our neighbourly friends for discounted surf sessions around the boot of Britain.
- Tintagel Castle – take a trip to King Arthur’s former fortress and see where the Knights of the round table did their thing.
- Eden Project – visit Britain’s most famous ecological experiment with biospheres and flora aplenty.
- The Lane Theatre – see the best thespians in town tread the boards at this cosy theatre.
- Blue Reef Aquarium - underground tunnels, open top tanks, Black Tip Reef Sharks, Clownfish, Octopus and more!
- Tunnels Through Time – explore the legends of Cornwall with interactive exhibits and educational good times.
- Newquay Zoo – pass time with Red Pandas, a Siberian Lynx and the Red Puffed Lemurs.
- The Oasis Fun Pools – when the sea’s too cold for you, take to the indoor waters at the Oasis water park.
- Trerice House – an old school, Elizabethan manor house and architectural gem.
- Penhale Adventure Centre – if coasteering is your thing then book in for challenging, outdoor goodtimes.
The Top 10 Things to do in Bath
- The Thermae Bath Spa – take a dip in Britain's only natural thermal spa - with an open air, roof top pool.
- The Walrus and Carpenter – indulge in a spot of celebrity spotting at Johnny Depp’s favourite local pub.
- Bill Bryson at the Baths – Check out the original baths of Bath, with Bill Bryson’s recorded narrative.
- The Jane Austen Centre – she set Northanger Abbey and Persuasion in this city, and here you find out why.
- Sally Lunn's Bunns - the oldest house in the city serves up tasty, traditional brioche-esque buns, 300 years famous.
- The Royal Crescent - number 1 Royal Crescent is the grandest, semi circle of terraced mansions in Britain.
- Pultney Bridge – based on an unused Palladio design from Venice and packed with shops.
- Free Walking Tours - come rain or shine, the Mayor of Bath’s guides pick you up from outside the Abbey Church Yard.
- Theatre Royal – absorb a little local culture in this beautiful Georgian theatre.
- Komedia Comedy Club – laugh your socks off at this hilarious comedy, cabaret and music hot spot.
The Top 10 Things to do in Edinburgh
- The Edinburgh Pass – gets you over 30 free attractions, free airport transfers and 25 exclusive offers.
- The Camera Obscura and World of Illusions - an immense exhibition, crammed with all the best optical illusions
- Cadies and Witchery Tours - Adam Lyal (deceased) educates you on Edinburgh’s yesteryear plagues, body snatchers and prostitutes.
- Mercat’s Vault Tours – travel back to an Edinburgh when people were murdered for medical science!
- David Bann’s - a cool, non-pretentious eatery serving nothing but the best vegetarian dishes around.
- Edinburgh Castle – explore the old battlements and the jewels within, build on an extinct volcano!
- The Royal Mile - a great treat in itself, stretching from the castle all the way to Queen's Park.
- The Queen's Gallery – explore the best of British art at the bottom of the Royal Mile.
- The Scottish Storytelling Centre – live story telling and hands on advice for aspiring tale tellers.
- The Scottish Parliament – one of Edinburgh’s most controversial architectural projects and great for live debates!
- Rob Savage
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