In Italy, wine is more than just a drink. It’s a vital part of culture and a collective item of indulgence. Every glass you drink in an Italian enoteca (wine bar) comes with a history lesson and story—even when you don’t ask for it—in which your waiter’s distant ancestor plays the protagonist of their family vineyard.  This should hardly come as a surprise. Italians are, by nature, natural-born storytellers and have waxed lyrical about wine since the time of ancient Rome, and wine is the natural accompaniment to their other favourite subject: food. But how can someone who knows next ..read more

Borough Market is one of London’s must-visits for food lovers looking for an authentic taste of modern British food. Situated right in the heart of central London on the south bank of the River Thames, this covered market features more than 100 stalls across 4.5 acres with traders showcasing a delicious range of traditional and specialty foods. For foodies visiting London for the first time, Carpe Diem Tours offers a fun, filling and exceptionally reasonably-priced Borough Market Food tour that takes you to the places the locals keep to themselves. If you’re planning on visiting Borough Marke ..read more

London might not be the first city that comes to mind when it comes to treating your taste buds. But the UK capital is as rich in cuisine and flavors as it is in culture.  TasteAtlas ranks London above Bologna as one of the world’s top food destinations, and while it might not boast the weather of the likes of Rome, Florence or Lisbon, its food can compete with even the best European cities. London’s Food markets offer an abundance of British classics, from delicious cheeses to hearty steak and ale pies to fresh pastries to fish and chips and sweet custard treats. You’ll also find stalls ..read more

For curious travellers looking for an authentic experience of central Europe, Budapest is simply brilliant. The Hungarian capital has it all: museums, galleries and even a castle; traditional baths; world-famous bar scene; and great beer.  What’s not to love!  We’ve written this guide for first-time travellers to Budapest in which we share our favourite things to do as tried and tested by us. Cruise down the River Danube The River Danube is a constant presence in the Hungarian capital, cleaving historic Buda from the modern district of Pest. What better way to familiarize yourself wi ..read more

Lisbon has it all as far as European cities go: stunning architecture, delicious food, and plenty of things to do for all kinds of travelers. But while the Portuguese capital is still relatively affordable, at least compared to the US and other European cities, prices are on the rise—not least because of its thriving expat community and growing population of digital nomads. If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon but don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket, this guide is for you. Carpe Diem’s team of locals has packed it full of plenty of tips for sightseeing, and cultural and food-related things ..read more

Few European cities exude romance like Rome.  Rome is home to the Trevi Fountain, into whose waters Anita Ekberg waded to become immortalized in film history.  It is the site of the Spanish Steps, whose tumbling balustrades have formed the backdrop of millions of romantic photographs over the years.  Then, of course, are the architectural masterpieces which form the world’s most romantic skyline: the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, masterfully envisaged by Michelangelo, the towering façade of the Colosseum, Italy’s most iconic monument, and the freestanding dome of the Pantheon, t ..read more

Street food might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Italian cuisine, but the Bel Paese excels at all things food-related, and its capital is no different.  Roman street food is on another level: trying it for the first time a borderline religious experience. Love at first bite. Delicious affirmation that the best things in life are simple, inexpensive, and—more often than we’d like—unhealthy. In fact, such is Rome’s reputation when it comes to street food that TasteAtlas recently voted it the second-best food destination in the world. Missing out only to Florence ..read more

Rome is a city of secrets, not all of which are above ground. The Eternal City is a lasagne of layers – ancient, medieval and modern, each built on top of another, concealing but preserving the past. And while most travellers limit their itinerary to Rome’s ground-level attractions, like the Colosseum, Vatican, and the must-see highlights of the historic centre, Underground Rome is worth a trip in its own right. Most travellers who venture beneath the Italian capital do so to explore the Roman Catacombs. And there’s no shortage of visitable catacombs to choose from. Situated just south of the ..read more

Gladiatorial contests were among the most popular forms of entertainment in republican and imperial Rome, and gladiators were rivalled only by charioteers in the riches with which they were rewarded. While our literary sources are lacking in describing gladiatorial combat, gladiators appear elsewhere if you know where to look: mentioned in celebratory graffiti, inscriptions, and artistic artifacts. Since the emergence of their profession in the obscure history of the Roman Republic, gladiators have occupied a special place in the popular imagination. But it was only in the last hundred years ..read more

Whether you’re a culture vulture, art enthusiast or food aficionado, Rome offers something for everyone. Walking around the city centre can feel like browsing an open-air museum, but the city’s state and private collections are something else entirely. That Rome excels in museums and galleries should hardly be surprising given Rome’s vast heritage. But the sheer extent of experiences on offer can surprise even regular return visitors. So, whether you’re a history buff, or just looking for an exciting (and air-conditioned!) way to spend an afternoon, make sure to include some of these Roman mus ..read more