Picturesque Prague

Prague is a city of  new and old contradictions, that just works. In the old scheme of things we have Prague Castle, the Old Square with the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge which are all essential viewing on your visit. Yet opposing to this Prague is exhibiting a new rebellious streak. The Dancing House, the Lennon Wall and the Museum of Young Art , ironically housed in a traditional building sporting a shabby chic neglected look, all contribute to this new ideology. There is plenty of emerging modern art and sculpture if this is your thing. Look out for David Cerny's work.


Don't Miss You can't go to Prague without visiting the castle! If you only have time for a fleeting visit, head to Golden Lane which looks like the ideal setting for a fairy tale and the Cathedral of St Vitus for the best stain glass windows you will see.

Hungry? An absolute hidden gem is Ristorante Pasta Fresca. Great food and service with a quirky interior. Or for midday break try the excellent Bakeshop for plenty of temptations you can't resist!

Nightlife Bars and Books is a sophisticated cocktail bar, with a smooth american aura away from the busy main square that I would recommend. Let's not forget where in the world we are though! Yes the home of beer is in copious supply across the city.

Grandiose Vienna

I'm not going to lie, I love Pandas. So a trip to Vienna's Zoo was an absolute must! The zoo is huge and is worth the effort to see as its ranked as one of the best in the world. Helpfully, its within the grounds of the  Schonbrunn Palace which is a must see attraction.  An ornate and expansive palace that is a little outside the historic centre, Schonbrunn epitomizes Vienna's grand and royal nature. Do however, expect long queues. You are given a ticket with a set entry time, so there's no better excuse for killing some time in the zoo while you wait!

Don't Miss- Kunsthistorisches Museum. Aside from the amazing art collections, the building's architecture can only be described as stunning.

Hungry? Eat Vienna style with traditional coffee and cake. Julius Meinl is a small cafe where you can watch the world go by, and there is a shop next door full of luxury food products that is definitely worth a wander around.

Top Tip- Vienna is a vast city. Travelling around on foot will waste precious time. Catch the underground or the tram, both reliable. You can buy travel passes in the train station for the duration of your stay, saving you both time and money.

Adventurous Amsterdam.

Hookers. Cannabis. Clogs. OK maybe not so many clogs, but that's what I thought I'd find when I arrived in Amsterdam. In reality though, there is so much more to this little city. Beyond the tourist traps of the Red Light District, Amsterdam has plenty of pretty canals lined with charming cafes/bars and quirky sites to behold. 

Don't Miss  Even if you are going to Amsterdam for a wild one you should make it your priority to go to Anne Frank's house. There is a reason why there are queues around the corner till the early evening. The visit is truly humbling and really puts a lot into perspective. 

Hungry? Try Alfonso's on Uterechsestratt for authentic and reasonably priced mexican food.  

Nightlife Cast aside the Red Light District and head to Rembrandtplein, a lively square of bars cafes and coffee shops with a good atmosphere. Even better, head to the House of Bols before hand. An interactive cocktail museum includes two shots and a cocktail in your ticket price! See last picture.  

Bustling Berlin

Berlin is a city bursting at the seams with historical sights from its tempestuous past. From the Berlin wall which can be seen in its longest form left here to the original Checkpoint Charlie, you really do feel like you are a part of events that changed the world. If however you aren't a history buff, check out views of Berlin from the TV Tower or head to Kurfürstendamm for some high end window shopping. 

• Don't Miss  The Deutscher Bundestag (The Reichstag). On top of the historic building a huge modern glass dome has been built which you can walk around whilst looking over the sites of the city for free.

• Hungry?  Try Aposto for a cosy Italian meal for two, or enjoy fast food with substance and try the German specialty Currywurst from a food stand. 

• Nightlife You can find traditional beer anywhere you go in Berlin, however if like me you are partial to a cocktail or two then try the Raddison Blu Hotel Bar. It's not cheap but it's the only place you get to admire the AquaDom, the world's largest cylindrical aquarium which apparently has one million liters of seawater, and plenty of tropical fish. A few cosmopolitans and you might just turn into one yourself. 

Welcome to Travel Stamp!

“The world is a book and those who do 

                   not travel read only one page.”                  

St. Augustine

Travel Stamp will document my travels around Europe in pictures. Providing a few hints and tips of where I think you might like to visit along the way. Feel free to ask questions about the destinations, and ill do my best to answer them. All photos featured are my own unless otherwise stated.

Travel Stamp