Language learning holidays are one of the most authentic and fun ways to slow travel. We take a look at some of the best schools in Barcelona for learning Spanish…. Whether you fancy taking a short crash course in Spanish, while exploring everything Barcelona has to offer (which is a LOT!), or your goal is to become fluent in castellano, learning a foreign language in its country of origin is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Not only will you start to build up a new skill and quickly become conversational in Spanish, but your understanding of the country and its culture will ..read more

Spain’s celebrated art form has a rich tradition here in Barcelona, with dozens of tablaos where you can catch a passionate performance. We’re here to preview the best of them… While the art of flamenco originated in southern Spain, primarily in Andalusia – where the fiery dance, soulful music, and expressive singing evolved from a blend of Roma, Arab and Jewish cultures – it also has a rich tradition in Barcelona. Artists from Andalusia began to perform in Barcelona in the late 19th century, as a wave of immigrants from the south arrived in the prosperous region of Catalonia, which was being ..read more

There’s no better way of exploring the Catalan capital than cruising around town on two wheels. We talk to the local guides at Steel Donkeys about the benefits of bike tourism in Barcelona, before running down our top 6 tours in the city… “Riding a bike always provides a great feeling of freedom and joy — especially when you ride along the gorgeous seaside in Barcelona, with the sun caressing your face,” says Eduard, the longest serving guide of the pioneering bicycle tour company Steel Donkeys. “The side effects to this experience are: happiness, exhilaration and a smile that can last for day ..read more

Defiant, dynamic and dangerously good fun, Emma Weinbren picks out the very best of the Spanish capital, from the Buen Retiro to the Bernabeu, with plenty to savour in between. Main Attractions Getting Here Hipsters Guide More Info Events & More Read This Hotels & Beds Watch This Food & Restaurants Listen To This Bars & Clubs City Map If there’s one thing Madrid won’t tolerate, it’s being second best. Situated in the heart of the country, the city prides itself on being the pinnacle of Spanish culture, art and style. Madrid’s buzzing atmosphere, diverse cultur ..read more

Modernista masterpieces, medieval streets and Mediterranean sands are just three reasons why the Catalan capital is the perfect playpen for the urban explorer. Duncan Rhodes shares his tips for a fun weekend break…  Main Attractions Getting Here Hipsters Guide More Info Events & More Read This Hotels & Beds Watch This Food & Restaurants Listen To This Bars & Clubs City Map If Barcelona were a woman she would be a ravishing but rebellious Miss World misfit, one who regularly neglects her beauty sleep for debauched nights out that can leave her lo ..read more

Revel in the glorious legacy of the Habsburg empire by touring some of Vienna’s most lavish palaces. From priceless artworks and pristine ballrooms and well-preened gardens, Stuti Verma shares her faves… Vienna flaunts art on every corner, be it music, painting, or architecture. The city has an impressively rich background in the arts, and there are a number of spots across the map which hold historical significance. Out of these, the capital’s palaces, most of which were built during the Renaissance, stand out. One of the most prominent dynasties of Europe, the Habsburgs, ruled Austria for ne ..read more

Needs some tips on renting an automobile on your travels? Check this handy infographic by a UK law firm, which provides a quick reference of good practice, and helps you avoid any horror stories on holiday! Whether you’re journeying to the other side of the world, you’re heading to a festival, you’re planning on travelling for months on end or you’re in the middle of organising your family’s annual holiday, there’s nothing more exciting than counting down to a well-deserved break. You’re probably familiar with booking a holiday package, finding a good hotel and comparing prices, building an it ..read more

Shoot the streets, take a craft beer tasting tour, or enjoy a night of saucy stanzas at a poetry bordello… The Editor assembles an eclectic list of top things to do in Barcelona! Now updated with five unmissable attractions too. They don’t call her The Great Enchantress for nothing… almost everyone that comes to the Catalan capital ends up falling head over heels in love with this mesmerising beauty, who is not only stylishly decked out in a beguiling blend of Art Nouveau and modern architecture, but whose love of the finer things in life – tapas, vermouth and sex just for start ..read more

Driving Communist-era Trabants in Dresden, climbing Bolt Tower in Ostrava (yes, it is named after Usain!) and attending a literary festival in Kosice… Josh Ferry-Woodard journeys to Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia by train. Dresden: Dolls & a Trabant Safari “Anarchists and bohemians made this neighbourhood what it is today,” our guide Christoph explained as we walked through the vibrant streets of Outer Neustadt in Dresden. The area survived the devastating Allied bombs of 1945, but the grand Wilheminian terraced houses fell into disrepair after the war. It wasn’t until the 80s that a ..read more

Sitting on Lake Ontario, Toronto’s skyscrapers, neighbourhoods and natural beauty form the backdrop for a potpourri of cultures. Rachel Lissner reveals the best of the city, from the Caribbean festivals to the Japanese rockabilly bars… Main Attractions Getting Here Hipsters Guide More Info Events & More Read This Hotels & Beds Watch This Food & Restaurants Listen To This Bars & Clubs City Map You’ve seen it in movies as New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and even Moscow, but it’s not just Toronto’s appearance that is diverse: nearly 50% of residents living in C ..read more