Travel News

For the Greek villagers of Ayia Eleni and Langada, honouring the saints means walking barefoot over hot coals.

As part of the annual tradtion of Anasternaria to pay tribute to saints Helen and Constatine, representatives from the village work themselves up into a trance before taking to the coals. This is done on the eve of the festival through of a special type of dance, during which time they believe they are 'seized' by the saints.

On the day itself, locals take part in a ritualisitic sacrifice of animals, followed by dancing barefoot around the hot ashes of a bonfire, before running across the burning coals until they cool down.

Tradition dictates that the custom originated in the Middle Ages when the church where these Greeks originated from in Bulgaria caught fire. The story goes that locals who said they could here the saints calling for help from inside braved the fire to rescue them and remained unharmed.

Another unusual tradition is Easter pot smashing in Corfu, where residents throw earthenware vessels from their windows onto the streets below the day before Easter Sunday.

Near Antwerp's cathedral is Neuze Neuze, an upmarket restaurant that was fashioned out of five small 16th-century homes.

The split-levelled restaurant, which is a short walk from Grote Markt, serves up French-Belgian cuisine at reasonable prices and boasts a 40-page wine list.

Grilled scallops, fish dishes, bacon in a wheat-beer sauce and fried goose liver with a canape of caramelised apples and syrup are some of the dishes on its varied menu.

"It's ideal for a romantic dinner or small business groups. There are various fixed menus with accompanying wines from a wide variety of countries," states IgoUgo.

Whitewashed walls, dark brown wooden beams and a Mediterranean-style interior complete the atmosphere, and birthday boys and girls can get a free meal and champagne for the entire table.

Visitors to Antwerp could check out Steen castle, the oldest building in the city; Rubens House, home of the famous painter and now a museum; the city zoo, one of the oldest in the world; and City Park, an English-style garden.

Birmingham is hosting its first International Dance Festival between April 28th and May 24th and it promises to be an exciting time for all concerned.

Performances from around the world will be taking place throughout the city in both indoor and outdoor venues.

At the Birmingham Hippodrome, for example, there will be two performances from the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, four shows by Ballet Rakatan and various performances by the Kirov Ballet.

There is also a family weekend, including a show for teenagers and a dance piece for parents and babies. The month-long event culminates with Salsa at Sunset at The Mailbox on Wharfside Street.

Birmingham's dance event is being funded by the city council, Advantage West Midlands and the Arts Council England West Midlands.

Other attractions that are likely benefit from the festival are the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which contains one of the finest small collections of European art in Britain; Cadbury World, the only visitor centre in the country devoted exclusively to chocolate; and Dudley Zoo and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

On the Buda side of Hungary's capital is the A38 Ship - a restaurant, bar and club occupying a Ukrainian carrier ship anchored in the River Danube.

Since it opened in April 2003, the boat has hosted wine dinners, fine art events, films, theatre plays, exhibitions and performances.

A38 Ship attracts kids looking for a night of clubbing, as well as couples in their mid-50s for dinner and dancing.

"The views over the river and embankments can't be beat; much more unexpected are the great jazz combos that add a relaxed vibe to what is ostensibly a party barge," states Concierge.com.

Located, 150 metres south of the Petofi Bridge, opposite the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the A38 Ship is open from 11:00 to 16:00.

Another European boat-based nightspot is the Batofar in Paris, which is a converted barge in the Bibliotheque Nationale quarters. It plays music that ranges from house and techno to jazz and soul.

Cafe Ketchup, which opened in 2001, is a revolutionary two-floor restaurant, cafe, lounge and after-hours club.

Located on Pilestraede near Konrad, Ketchup is a popular haunt thanks to its bar area and cafe on the top floor that offers light refreshments, and the restaurant downstairs, which is resplendent with chandeliers and white candles.

The bar is open from Monday to Saturday and does not close its doors until 03:00 on Friday and Saturday evenings. The cafe is open everyday expect except Sunday, with food served between 11:00 and 22:00. The restaurant proper is also closed on Sunday but is open from 9:30 to 22:30 all other days.

WorldsBestBars.com describes Cafe Ketchup as slick and clean, and staffed by gorgeous-looking employees.

"The snack-style dishes - duck breast, grilled tuna and various sandwiches - are done to perfection. But it's the cocktails - colourful cosmopolitans and sweet mojitos that are the real draw," it stated.

Other great places to eat in the Danish capital include Kiin Niin, Quote, Noma and Formel B.