Top 5 European Cities To Visit

Europe is a beautiful continent filled with wonder and a rich culture that will never cease to amaze the Western world. But where does one begin to start their cultural exploration into this salad bowl of similar, yet drastically different, countries? Let's start where everything seems to happen at once,and visit the top cities in Europe! (As voted by US News)

1. Barcelona: Barcelona contains both the authentically historic and the wildly bizarre. From the tree-lined Las Ramblas to the narrow alleys of Barri Gòtic, the beachside nightclubs and the city's dozens of sacred churches and cathedrals, this city by the sea seems to attract all types: the family, the adventurer, the couple, the backpacker, the culture lover (and more) with an almost overwhelming variety of things to do. You could stay for a few days, but chances are you'll need a whole week to explore.

2. Paris: The city of lights, the city of love, a city of fashion. Paris draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambiance. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle River Seine rambles through the city, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and blocks of Rococo- and Neo-classic-design architecture, further enhanced by charming trees and glowing streetlamps. Peppering the Seine's cobbled walks and graceful bridges are impossibly chic Parisians, probably on their way to the market, café or cinema.

3. Rome: Rome, the city of seven hills, enjoyed a mythic beginning. Romulus and Remus (twin brothers who were nursed by a she-wolf and fathered by a war god) reportedly founded the Eternal City. And although historians are a little skeptical about this epic entry into the world, most travelers are absolutely certain that there is something magical about Rome. Whether it's the mystery of the nearby Vatican City or the ghosts of the Colosseum, an afternoon coffee on Piazza Navona or a piled-high plate of pasta at a trattoria, Rome is sure to enchant.

4. Berlin: More than two decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city is basking in a cultural renaissance that is marking everything from museums to fashion, food and nightclubs. That's not to say that this city has forgotten its dark past; in fact, powerful attractions like the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Topography of Terror and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum are evidence of its steadfast reverence. And yet, Berlin is on the upswing. An afternoon people-watching at a lively café or an all-night dance fest at a hip club will provide you the proof.

5. Budapest: Welcome to Budapest. To put it simply, if you haven't been here, it's time you make plans to do so. This city appeals to many; you can step out of a thermal bath and right into a nightclub (and then back into the bath). You should also save time to savor Budapest's culture, history, and natural beauty. It's more than just the political capital of Hungary—it's also the commercial and cultural nexus.

So if you hear Europe calling your name, answer it with cheap tickets to Europe on business class flights from www.DoAllTravel.com

How To Pack Like a Pro

Airline rules and restrictions regarding on-flight baggage are becoming harder and harder to navigate, and that can add unneeded stress to your travel plans. But here are some tips from your friendly neighborhood Brooklyn travel agents at DoAllTravel.com on how to pack your luggage like a pro.

• Use shoe bags and packing organizers. Shoe bags keep clothes clean and shoes in order. Put smaller items like socks and underwear in packing cubes or bags so they are easy to find.
• Pack larger items first and put heavy items at the bottom. Shoes, jeans, and corduroys should go at the bottom so that lighter items don’t get squished.
• Roll casual items. The rolling method works well for casual clothes, such as jeans and t-shirts, without wrinkling said clothing. Belts can also be rolled for easy storage.
• Limit quantities and wear what you can. Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes—pack two and wear one—and wear your heaviest shoes, as well as blazer or big sweaters on board. A puffer coat, which can be squished, packs better than others. If your coat is bulkier, wear it on board and store in the overhead compartment.
• Pack accessories, lighter clothes, and smaller items last. This strategy will fill in spaces and make liquids and lotions easily accessible in 3-ounce containers in a zip-top bag to take out at security. Button-down shirts and lighter items can also go on top.

But don't be fooled into thinking you need to bring everything onto the plane. Here are some items you don't really need on your trip.

• Don’t feel tempted to pack your entire wardrobe when traveling . While it’s good to have a change of clothes for each day, do you really need a heavy parka when traveling to Florida in July? It seems most people, when faced with a suitcase, lose all common sense regarding clothing. Remember to pack as light as possible, as this can save money on airline bills.
• Skip packing all the things you can get when you arrive at your destination. Leave behind nail polish, deodorant, toothbrushes and similar items. You can easily buy the smallest, cheapest sizes of those items at your destination. Besides, you might not be allowed to bring them on the plane anyway.
• Don’t feel tempted to cram your luggage with all of your technical gadgets. These take up a lot of suitcase space and rarely end up getting used once the vacation starts. And expensive MP3 players, handheld games consoles, smartphones and tablets all represent a good pickpocket or bag snatch opportunity.

So if it looks like you will be booking business class tickets abroad, you know the Brooklyn travel agents at DoAllTravel.com are trusted experts who have you in mind.

The Falling Euro

The Euro is at its lowest rate since 2006, and it looks to be on a contining descent. You know what that means? Europe airline tickets. England in particular is facing economic difficulty, and points to the sovereign debt crisis on the continent, Greece especially, as a sign of what could come. While markets are looking to governments to stabilize state spending over the last 18 months, economies are suffering from uncertainty. For Americans looking to travel abroad, this means that Eropean air travel is easier than it has been for years.

The resiliency of the dollar is important. For a long time, Americans had to struggle with a Euro worth one and a half times the amount of our currency. Today, Europe airline tickets are looking a lot better. Italy, France, Spain, Germany - all of these countries that use the Euro are much more pleasant to visit when the exchange rate is closer to our favor.

If you really want to save, wait until late summer or early fall to travel. The tourist rush of the summer will be over, and who knows, by then the Euro might be around a 1:1 exchange rate. Here’s hoping!

Visit your Brooklyn travel agency today to take advantage of the falling Euro.

Thailand Beckons

Looking for an exotic destination to visit with help from your Brooklyn travel agency? What about Thailand?

Thailand has been influenced by Indian and Chinese cultures, since it is geographically between the two. Ever since the 18th century, however, the Thai monarchy has been very stable, and it is the only Eastern country to have resisted European colonization. Formerly Siam, the monarchy exploited tensions between the French and British, and although lost they some of their area to Burma and the Malay Peninsula, remained independently powerful.

Although there has been recent political upheaval between supporters of Democracy and the current Prime Minister, Thailand still is a safe place to visit. An overwhelming majority of Thai people are Buddhists. Bangkok is a large financial and cultural center, and Thai cinema has recently received a lot of press because Apichatpong Weerasethakul won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year. Thai food is particularly delicious and combines rice, garlic, chiles, fish sauce, and lemon grass, flavors which have caught on in the U.S. over the past couple of decades. With mountains, rivers, valleys, and beaches, the Thai geography is varied and diverse, making it a remarkable place to visit.

Forget Europe airline tickets. Contact your Brooklyn travel agency today to visit Thailand!

Bali Bali Bali

Already done the Europe airline tickets thing? Want to travel somewhere new? Somewhere really exotic? Maybe Bali is a good place to visit. Your Brooklyn travel agency is a great resource when it comes to Bali’s vibrant arts and music scene, its rich social history, and its varied cultures and peoples.

Unlike the majority of Muslim dominated Indonesia, Bali is more than 90% Hindi. Indian and Chinese influence began here more than 2,000 years ago, and sped the development of a water irrigation system used to grow rice. The Majapahit Empire (1293–1520 AD) founded a colony on Eastern Java, which led to much interaction between the Balinese and the Indians. After the decline, an exodus of aesthetes left to other islands and the Indian subcontinent. Then, the Dutch used Bali as a center of trade during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today Balinese and Indonesian are the most common languages, and English is also widely spoken. Dances and religious performances are commonplace since tourism has come to dominate Balinese industry.

With a tropical climate, Bali has many diverse species, and topographical environment. Mt. Agung is an active volcano and is almost 10,000 feet high. When it erupted in 1963, it killed thousands and caused widespread turmoil across the island. Since, tourism has remained high. Talk to your Brooklyn travel agency about visiting Bali today.

The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are off the coast of Africa, but belong to Spain. The Insula Canaria, from Latin, means islands of the dogs, and is likely a reference to the barking of the seals that once called these islands home. The islands retain a diverse range of species, including giant lizards and loggerhead turtles. The warm seas and humid subtropical forests of places like Laurisilva, in La Gomera, are perfect for these animals.

The Canaries have been part of Spain for more than 500 years, and served as a trading outpost, specifically for sugar. With Spain’s highest mountain and the world’s 3rd highest volcano on Teide island, Mt. Teide, is the most visited National Park in Spain. The Canaries also boast three other of Spain’s 13 national parks. The mountains and volcanoes are beautiful, and if you book Europe airline tickets from your favorite Brooklyn travel agency, Do All travel, you can plan daily expeditions for a more adventurous vacation.

Or if you prefer to relax on the beach, your Brooklyn travel agency can help you with that too. There are tons of things to do on these exclusive islands, so if you want to visit somewhere really different, try the Canaries!

Algarve or Lisbon? Why Not Both!

An Algarve beach.

Looking for Europe airline tickets? You’ve been to Rome, Paris, London? What about Algarve?

Algarve is a beautiful region in the southern most part of Portugal. From the 7th century to the middle of the 12th, Algarve was occupied by the Moors. Algarve remained a semi-autonomous area until the 20th century, often being referred to along with Brazil, before it declared independence. Algarve is gorgeous: wind swept palms, crystal blue waters, hills and rocky outlets, and an emerging network of golf courses all make this a perfect destination.

Or maybe you prefer a bit more culture on your vacation. If that’s the case, then head north to Lisbon, a capital since antiquity, where it has long been a center for diversity. The Moorish conquest cast Arabic as the city's language, and in 1255 it became the capital of Portugal. For 60 years, from 1580-1640, Portugal was united with Spain, and the revolt that restored Portugese independence took place in Lisbon. A constant center of trade due to its location in the middle of the nation and on the coast, Lisbon remained important, although it suffered from an earthquake in 1755. During WWII, Lisboa, as the locals call it, was a neutral city, and allowed the passage of thousands to flee from the Nazis.

Portugal, Algarve or Lisbon are great destinations. Buy Europe airline tickets from your Brooklyn travel agency today!