Topdeck Travel Blog

12. Go clubbing until dawn in Europe

Everybody enjoys a good night out… but once in a while, a night comes along that’s so epic that you just don’t want it to end – you want to hit the clubs and dance until the sun comes up!

When that you get that feeling, Europe’s the place to be. From Parisian wine bars to Hungarian dive bars, from London’s super pubs to Berlin’s superclubs, this continent is full of amazing nightspots.

Whether you’re an occasional clubber or a serious partygoer, you’ll love the variety of local nightlife on offer. Here are five of our favourite all-night party spots in Europe:

Barcelona – the cool Catalan capital is rightly renowned for its clubbing scene. If you’re after free entry and the latest chart heavyweights, head to Port Olimpic – a buzzing stretch of bars and clubs along the harbour front. If you’re a serious clubber and don’t mind a cover charge, superclubs like Opium, Razzmatazz and La Terazza are well worth a visit too.

Mykonos – this gorgeous Greek island boasts some of the finest dance clubs in Europe. On Paradise Beach alone there are TWO of DJ magazine’s Top 100 Clubs for 2013. Elegant Cavo Paradiso (#13) is perched on a rocky outcrop and has hosted the likes of Tiesto and Sebastian Ingrosso, while its lower neighbour Paradise Club (#33) can boast Avicii, Carl Cox and Bob Sinclar on its CV.

Amsterdam – with a reputation as one of Europe’s party capitals, Amsterdam doesn’t disappoint. Leidseplein is a buzzing nightlife hub with something for everyone; catch a live band in the Watering Hole, dance to chart hits in brilliantly OTT bars, or maybe even go to a gig in legendary venues Paradiso or Melkweg.

Prague – any city which can boast a five story nightclub is not shy about its party credentials. Situated near the stunning Charles Bridge, many a Topdeck traveller has wandered into Karlovy lázn? in the dark only to wander out again as the sun’s rays are coming up! But by no means is this the only spot – Prague is a goldmine of cool underground bars and quirky clubs.

Ibiza – the mecca of dance music, this hedonistic Spanish island has been top of the global clubbing tree for many years. Ibiza superclubs Space and Pacha occupy the #2 and #3 spots in DJ mag’s Top 100 Clubs, while Amnesia and Privilege also make the top 20. The clubs may be pricy, but they attract a who’s who of international DJs each summer (Skrillex, Tiesto, Chase & Status, Armin van Buuren), while indie artists (Bloc Party, Kasabian, Tinie Tempah, Azealia Banks) are also getting a look-in with Ibiza Rocks growing bigger by the year.

So next time you’re in Europe, why not hit the clubs and enjoy a night out to remember? After all, you get to sleep every night… surely you can afford to take a night off?!

Topdeck Top Tip: Don’t head out too early! Many clubs in Europe don’t even get going until midnight, so pace yourself if you want to see the sunrise.

Sebastian Ingrosso at Cavo Paradiso, Mykonos in 2012 (skip to 0.50 for the drop): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XchIRUAFOto

Closing night 2012 at Space Ibiza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-uO2a0U928

One for dance lovers – DJ mag’s Top 100 Clubs list: http://www.djmag.co.uk/top-100-clubs

11. Lie under a palm tree on a white sand beach

Once in a while you need to slow things down, get away from it all. And when the time comes to unwind, is there any better place to do so than on a beautiful beach?!

Lying on the sand, listening to your beach playlist, reading a book and sipping an ice-cold drink, as the blue ocean caresses the shore and a gentle breeze sways green palm fronds above your head… bliss!

But where’s the best place to go? For the purposes of this blog, we decided to take a straw poll of the Topdeck office to see where our staff thought you could find the best beaches in the world.

We heard many impassioned speeches and sparked intense debates, but eventually the survey turned out 3 main contenders. To try and make an informed decision, we summarised their pros and cons:

Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa

Pros: White sand beaches, coconut palms, sapphire blue ocean, traditional fishing vessels, friendly locals, cheap cold drinks, great kitesurfing, proximity to some of the world’s best safari destinations, name that makes you think of a Persian restaurant.

Cons: errrrm…

Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Pros: White sand beaches, coconut palms, sapphire blue ocean, crazy waves, hot surfer dudes and chicks, location in the middle of the Pacific, lifeguards who (may) look like they’re in Baywatch, possible hula music in the background.

Cons: uhhhhh…

Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia

Pros: White sand beaches, coconut palms, sapphire blue ocean, tropical rainforest, incredible flora and fauna, great sailing destination, chance to play beach cricket, strong likelihood of a BBQ occurring, certified free of Drop Bears by the Queensland Government.

Cons: ahhhhh…

As you can see, we didn’t do too well on the Con front. In fact, we didn’t do too well separating them at all. So we’re going to sit on the hammock on this one – choosing a favourite beach is entirely subjective. But one thing all of us agreed on – we’d all like to be on one right now!

As for a good beach playlist? Well there’s something we can help you with! Here’s our pick of beach tunes for 2013, (not) available in all good music outlets:

Topdeck Beach Playlist 2013

1. Psy – Sandnam Style

2. Kylie Minogue – Loco-ocean

3. Nelly – Tide Wit’ Me

4. The Beatles – Here Comes the Sun(burn)

5. Men at Rest – Sand Down Under

Topdeck Top Tip: What to say about a beach? If you turn up on one and everyone’s naked, it’s probably a nudist beach. There you go!

A gorgeous video of Zanzibar from a kitesurfering couple: http://vimeo.com/16653284

Photos of Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays: http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/whitehaven-beach/photos

10. Discover the ancient city of Petra.

It seems entirely fitting that Petra in Jordan is the subject of one of the most evocative poems ever written. When John Burgon penned the immortal line “A rose-red city half as old as time”, he summarised this astonishing place perfectly.

This wondrous ancient city lies in a hidden valley in south Jordan, and is estimated to be over 3200 years old. Capital of the ancient Nabataean civilisation, it remained unknown to the Western world until it was introduced to Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt in 1812.

How his jaw must have dropped when he first set eyes on it.

Hewn in to the red rock canyon walls are dozens of buildings, the most important of which display remarkable architecture and immaculate beauty. Columns, pediments, sculptures and decorations adorn the fronts of the the Monastery (Al Dier) and particularly the famous Treasury (Al Khazneh).

While such classical structures are impressive when seen in stone, or even the white marble of Ancient Greece, to see them carved from sheer red sandstone walls is something else entirely.

Anyone who has seen the classic film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade will have a sense of what to expect. In the movie, Petra (specifically the Treasury) serves as the resting place of the Holy Grail.

Director Steven Spielberg picked an ideal location – an ancient site steeped in history, both beautiful and mysterious.

There’s a reason why Petra has made just about every travel list ever compiled – including this one! And if you needed any more motivation to visit, then just think; the sooner you journey to Petra, the longer you get to remember it for!

But while we at Topdeck dearly love Petra, no words of ours could compete with John Burgon’s prize-winning 1845 verse, so we’ll just let him do the talking from here:

It seems no work of Man's creative hand, by labour wrought as wavering fancy planned; But from the rock as if by magic grown, eternal, silent, beautiful, alone! Not virgin-white like that old Doric shrine, where erst Athena held her rites divine; Not saintly-grey, like many a minster fane, that crowns the hill and consecrates the plain; But rose-red as if the blush of dawn, that first beheld them were not yet withdrawn; The hues of youth upon a brow of woe, which Man deemed old two thousand years ago, match me such marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time.

Topdeck Top Tip: Petra is much bigger than most people think! It’ll involve a fair bit of walking, so wear comfy shoes and take plenty of water due to the heat and sun.

See a gallery of Petra photos here: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/jordan/petra-pictures/index.htm

25 mins of awesome HD Petra footage (skip to 3.40 for the Treasury): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Z6XkKryD4

9. Re-enact Gladiator in the Colosseum

“ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? IS THIS NOT WHY YOU ARE HERE?”

The Colosseum is truly remarkable, even by Rome’s lofty standards. It may have lost some of its shell to an earthquake, but this crumbled edifice retains the imperious air of an old Roman commander; unbowed by centuries of neglect, impervious to the relentless march of time, it stands tall and proud over all it surveys.

Centrepiece of the mighty Roman Empire, the Colosseum was completed in 80AD and has witnessed thousands of deaths during its blood-soaked history. Here gladiators would engage in mortal combat while crowds of over 50,000 Romans cheered on their every sword stroke and spear thrust.

It wasn’t just plain one-on-one combat; historic battles were re-enacted using moveable sets, while other contests pitted man against beast. Exotic animals such as lions, elephants, bears and giraffes from far-flung corners of the Empire really drew the crowds.

Emperors put on free Games to increase their popularity – Trajan once celebrated a victory with 123 days of games featuring 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators!

And what better setting to host them than the Colosseum, an arena to match any modern sports stadium. Standing nearly 50m tall, the Colosseum was so well designed that it could supposedly be emptied from full in just 8 minutes. The seating was sectioned, events were catered, and a moveable awning protected the masses from the searing Roman sun.

The spectacle was memorably recreated in Ridley Scott’s epic movie Gladiator, the Oscar-winning film of 2000 starring Russell Crowe.

One of the most eye-catching scenes is when Crowe’s character Maximus strides in to the arena for the first time. For viewers who visit the Colosseum, it’s easy to picture yourself as the betrayed, tough-as-nails former General entering the arena.

Where today the bowels of the stadium are revealed, instead picture the sandy blood-soaked floor. Where the empty tiers rise above you, picture endless rows of expectant Romans. And if you concentrate very hard, where the Emperor’s box used to be, you can picture Joaquin Phoenix as the evil Commodus…

And so in one of the most iconic structures on earth, you have the chance to be in your own private Hollywood movie.

Stand with your back to the arena, head bowed, as Commodus approaches behind you. Then slowly, with the weight of grief and anger rising, turn and remove your invisible helmet, and solemnly declare:

“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius… father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.”

What’s that you say? People will stare?

Well you never know, perhaps one will be a casting agent!

Topdeck Top Tip: An audio guide will give you some juicy information as you explore the Colosseum at your own pace. Simply get in the audio guide queue once through the main entrance. You can get your entrance ticket there as well!

A Maximus-eye view of the Colosseum http://www.metacafe.com/watch/an-F8pW4YJbYhbmY4/gladiator_2000_entering_the_colosseum/

Practice your lines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1UmHfWCw-4

8. Eat some good ol’ Southern cookin’ in the USA

The Deep South of the USA is home to some of the tastiest darn cookin’ you could ever wish to eat; Southern BBQ, Cajun, Creole, Tex-Mex, ‘Soul Food’… time to put a looser notch in the belt!

The blending of European, African, Mexican and Native American influences in America’s South is apparent in the amazing dishes served by incredible local restaurants from New Mexico to Louisiana, Tennessee to Texas.

Southern BBQ is virtually a religion, which is appropriate as meat lovers will feel close to heaven here! Wood-fired pits cook huge meaty portions slow ‘n’ low, resulting in smoky, juicy ribs and succulent, tender pork which falls off the bone. You’ll become a true believer when you worship at the altar of a legendary Southern pitmaster.

In Louisiana it’s possible to try two of America’s most famous cuisines – Cajun and Creole.

Cajun is French influenced, with seafood as a staple; crawfish, crab and shrimps from the bayou, just as Bubba from Forrest Gump would like it. A typical dish is gumbo, a bric-a-brac meal of tasty treasures – perhaps shrimps and grits (ground maize) with cayenne and Cajun’s ‘holy trinity’: bell peppers, onion and celery.

Creole, synonymous with New Orleans, is similar to Cajun but also has hints of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Caribbean and Native American cooking. Jambalaya is a paella-esque Creole dish of seafood, meat, rice and veg, while a romantic Creole meal might be lobster and nature’s aphrodisiac, fresh oysters (perhaps this is why New Orleans is known as the Big Easy?!)

‘Soul Food’ is traced back to African-Americans who arrived in the South during the days of slavery, bringing African cooking traditions with them and adapting it to their new reality. Fried chicken, catfish, cornbread, sweet potatoes, peach cobbler… delicious! (Soul Food is also the only topic of conversation where “meatloaf featuring black eyed peas” is an acceptable phrase!)

Tex-Mex, a fusion of Texan BBQ and Mexican cuisine, is king throughout Texas and New Mexico. Think shredded pork and beef, BBQ ribs, cheese, fajitas, tortillas and enough chilli con carne to make Homer Simpson reach for his chilli boots!

So why not repay your taste buds for all the mediocre fare they’ve put up with over the years – take them to the Deep South and enjoy a range of Southern cookin’… y’all gonna love it!

Topdeck top tip:

Adam Richman of Travel Channel’s Man v. Food checks out a legendary BBQ joint in Memphis, Tennessee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9uLN2BoSz0

And enjoys some seafood in New Orleans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esN3OakbdQ0

Private Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue on shrimp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09KL2HUXE6Q