Travel News

For a Viennese staple visit the misleadingly titled Goulash Museum in the centre of the capital.

The restaurant, which does not contain any museum, has an array of variations on the originally Hungarian spicy meaty stew, offering the largest selection in Austria.

Over 15 varieties of goulash are available, made with roast beef, veal, pork or chicken liver. For those less keen on meat, vegetarian options made with potatoes, beans or mushrooms are available.

Schnitzel, a more authentic Austrian dish, is also on the menu, along with a number of traditional appetisers and desserts.

The family-friendly restaurant is the perfect place to introduce the children to more adventurous eating, with a wide choice to suit almost every taste. As a result it is often very busy and reservations are recommended.

'Gulaschmuseum' is in Stephansplatz, home to the Medieval St Virgil's Chapel, dominated by St Stephen's Cathedral, both of which date back to the 13th century. Energetic visitors can climb the cathedral's 343 steps to see spectacular views of the city.

An unmissable patriotic spectacle awaits visitors to Norway on its national day on May 17th.

Parades up and down the country mark the signing of the country's first constitution in 1814, when it was released from Danish rule.

As hundreds of thousands of Norwegians exhibit their patriotic fervour, music rings out across the country and the streets are full of people in bunad, the traditional national dress, which differs for each region of Norway.

Flags are hoisted, songs are sung and food including pickled herring, smoked salmon and sour cream porridge is eaten, while children feast on hot-dogs and ice-cream. If there is good weather, there are shows and competitions outdoors.

Teenagers in their final year of school sporting red or blue outfits add further light-heartedness to the occasion, with gags and pranks.

In Oslo, the royal family gathers on the balcony of the Royal Palace every year and wave to the procession of children marching past.

Constitution Day gained extra significance after the end of World War II, after the country was liberated from the Nazis who had banned the celebration.

A brand new apartment hotel has just been opened in Berlin by the award-winning Medina Apartment Hotel group.

Located in the stylish Mitte neighbourhood, Adina Berlin has 127 modern apartments behind a heritage facade.

Australian designer Andrew Parr of SJB Design has given the hotel a uniquely feel by featuring indigenous Australian artworks from the Tiwi Islands and other parts of Australia's Northern Territory.

The apartments offer the comforts of a home away from home, including fully equipped kitchens, flatscreen TVs, stereos and broadband.

Facilities include a restaurant, gym, in-room dining, secure parking and same-day laundry and dry cleaning.

The Mitte district is in Berlin's historical city centre, which is filled with both 18th and 19th century apartment blocks and contemporary architecture.

Artists and designers in post-reunification Berlin flocked to this neighbourhood, giving it a very trendy atmosphere.

It is also within easy walking distance of classic Berlin sights like Checkpoint Charlie.

Adina also has apartment hotels in Copenhagen and Budapest.

An exciting antique fair to be held in Brussels from May 16th to May 19th 2008 will showcase an eclectic collection of fine art and antiques.

Eurantica Brussels is the largest exhibition of its type in Belgium and brings together around 130 antique dealers and art galleries of international standing.

Exhibitors must first be selected by a committee of experts, who chooses displays for three categories: classic antiques, 20th century and extra-European art and archaeology.

Around 30 per cent of the exhibitors each year are new to the fair.

The venue is the Brussels Expo halls and arts and antiques lovers from around Europe and the world will be coming to see the show.

The fair will be open from 14:00 to 20:00 local time on week days and from 11:00 to 19:00 on weekends.

There is a special ladies day on May 16th, when ladies will not have to pay the €15 entrance fee.

The Swedish city of Gothenburg is holding one of Europe's largest flower exhibitions this summer to delight tourists and locals alike.

Swedish and international landscape architects have designed theme gardens in four of Scandinavia's most splendid parks - Tradgardsforeningen (the Horticultural Gardens), Gothenburg Botanical Gardens, Liseberg and Gunnebo House.

The harbour city of Gothenburg is already famous for its botanical garden, considered one of the most important in Europe with three stars in the French Guide Rouge.

Fascinating museums of art, design, maritime and natural history, science and the new Museum of World Culture make this a great place to visit with children.

A boat trip on to some of the islands is a must, including the Alvsborg Fortress, Vinga and Styrso islands.

Grab a Gothenburg pass that allows free travel in Gothenburg on all trams, trains, buses and archipelago boats as well as entry to a number of attractions.



The exhibition will run from June 28th to September 28th this year.