The weather is mild, school holidays are over, and the days are still long. A September city break is the perfect short trip to satisfy your travel cravings. These extraordinary European capitals are easy to get to, and full of rich culture to fill a weekend.

Read more: Four of the best destinations for your must-see list

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Just 250 miles from the UK coastline, Amsterdam is one of the most convenient options for a European city break. You can reach Amsterdam via cruises from Southampton and by ferry from the east coast, or flights run frequently from most UK airports.

With a reasonably small centre, Amsterdam is easily explored during a long weekend. Cycling is a popular mode of transport here, or you can sail your way around the city on the iconic canal network. There is a variety of museums and galleries to visit including Anne Frank’s house and the Van Gogh Museum, while just outside of the centre you will find idyllic windmill-dotted countryside. 

Paris, France

Also easily reached is Paris. Flights and ferries are again an option, or Londoners can take advantage of the Eurostar train from St. Pancras which reaches Paris in just 2.5 hours.

France’s capital is utterly magnificent, from the grandiose buildings that lines the wide boulevards, to the exquisite cuisine that is praised the world over. Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower is a must for your itinerary, as is a trip to the Louvre and the city’s other world-class art galleries. Break up your sightseeing with strolls in the picturesque city parks, and a delicious cake at an authentic patisserie.

Budapest, Hungary

Slightly further afield but well-worth the flight is Budapest, capital of Hungary. This destination has risen in popularity in recent years and has benefitted greatly from the influx of tourists.

The city is divided down the middle by a broad river, with ‘Buda’ on one side and ‘Pest’ on the other. Elaborate bridges connect one to the other, and you can even stand between them by visiting the tranquil Margaret Island. Highlights of a city break in Budapest include the majestic architecture, notably the parliament building and St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the huge Szechenyi thermal baths.

Lisbon, Portugal

Seeking the catch the last of the summer sunshine? Get on a plane to Lisbon which enjoys temperatures up to the mid-twenties all the way into October. 

Portugal’s coastal capital is another destination that has seen a spike in visitors in recent years. Its sheer beauty attracts tourists of all ages, although older travellers may find the hilly terrain tiring. The riverside region of Belém is a favourite spot because of its laidback atmosphere and historic highlights such as the gothic Jerónimos Monastery. Make sure to stop off for a traditional Portuguese custard tart at the popular Pastéis de Belém.

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The post Four best European capitals for a September city break appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Enjoying local cuisine is one of the best ways to get to know a new destination, and Italy offers an exciting array of foods. Here’s our quick foodie guide to Italy…

Italy is renowned for its glorious food. Authentic Italian pasta, glossy home-grown olives, fresh Alpine fish, and mouth-watering desserts. Good food is at the heart of Italian culture, bringing family and friends together. The food is as spectacular as the landscape, from the natural backdrop of Italian lakes, to the inspiring coastal views of Sorrento.

Read more: Reclaiming the rail. Why older people are backpacking and interrailing

Before we start

Travel is back! Silver Magazine and Travel Department want to help you fall in love with travel again in 2022 and 2023.  Travel Department is delighted to offer readers of Silver Magazine an exclusive code to use on a fantastic range of 2022 and 2023 holidays.

SAVE £75pp* on any holiday of 8 nights or more. Use promo code: SMAG75

SAVE £50pp* on any holiday of 7 nights. Use promo code: SMAG50

SAVE £25pp* on any holiday of 6 nights or less. Use promo code: SMAG25

If you have any questions, or would simply like to learn more about their wonderful destinations, why not give one of their brilliant team a call on 0117 911 7019

One of the best things about a holiday to Italy is that you’re guaranteed to eat well, with fine cheeses, cured meats, risottos and filled pastas on every menu, but with so many amazing foodie hotspots to choose from, it can be difficult to pick just one to visit. Italy offers a foodie experience like no other, so to help you choose your next destination. Here’s our top foodie suggestions for each region.

Risotto in Lake Como

When it comes to Italian food, it’s the ingredients that make it so special. The fresh herbs to home-made pasta, Italian produce is unmatched. Every town has its own family recipes and secrets that are passed down through generations. The Lake Como region is renowned for its freshwater fish and one type that is popular with local fisherman is perch (pesce persico) which is a delicate, lean, white and flavoursome fish. 

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Lake Como offers an array of mouth-watering local dishes, but we suggest that you try the Risotto with Perch (Risotto con pesce Persico). This dish is a perfect combination of local resources (perch fish) and the famous Lombard regional dish (risotto). It has a rich, buttery texture and is best accompanied with a dry white wine while you enjoy the stunning lakeside views.

Explore holidays to Lake Como

Pizza in Sorrento

When we think of Italian food, our mind instantly arrives at pizza. Although, Italian cuisine is incredibly varied region by region. You can order a pizza anywhere in Italy, but you’ll experience the best pizza in the Sorrento region.

Nowadays, you can order almost anything on a pizza, but a traditional pizza typically has a few, high quality ingredients. In the late 1800s it is thought a Neapolitan pizza maker, Raffaele Esposito, produced the Pizza Margherita, a hot flatbread topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil to represent the Italian flag.

it’s how you eat it that really makes for an authentic experience. Pizza is best bought from little street stalls and eaten immediately standing in the closest piazza

The food is as spectacular as the landscape in Sorrento, and often it’s how you eat it that really makes for an authentic experience. Pizza is best bought from little street stalls and eaten immediately standing in the closest piazza. The city has street-side pizza stalls, where you can buy them by the slice, but if you fancy a more relaxed experience, there are also plenty of eateries where you can settle in with a glass of wine and a whole pizza and watch life pass you by.

Explore holidays to Sorrento

Olive oil in Tuscany

Olive oil has always been a popular commodity. The Greeks, the Romans, even the Egyptians cultivated it and appreciated its many uses. In Italy, olive oil is so much more than just something to drizzle over your salad. It’s an essential ingredient for every meal.

Tuscany is considered the classic olive oil region of Italy and the creation of olive oil is almost a sacred process there. Lucca and Chianti have some of the most well-known olive oils of the region. Lucca is located close to the coast and the oils in this region tend to be yellow, light, and fluid. The olive oils of the Chianti regions however tend to have more of a green colour and are often spicy with hints of pepper. Italians drizzle olive oil on pastas, meat and even vegetables to add flavour to their meals.

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Spaghetti carbonara

Spaghetti carbonara in Rome

When in Rome, you should do as the Romans do and try some of the capital city’s traditional cuisine. From the humble trattoria to the grander ristorante, Rome offers a great choice of places to eat and drink. Food in Rome is known for being simple, flavoursome and satisfying. 

If you ask anyone from Rome, they’ll tell you that spaghetti carbonara belongs to Rome

Throughout the ages, chefs in Rome have tried to stick to century old traditions. Most meals are prepared with a few simple ingredients used in creative ways. Roman cuisine continues to be full of character and reflects the Lazio region’s local delicacies. If you ask anyone from Rome, they’ll tell you that spaghetti carbonara belongs to Rome. 

Over the years, other countries have added their own ingredients to the popular dish but the traditional carbonara that originated in Rome is still made with only the simplest of ingredients: fresh eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale (cured pig’s cheek) and high-quality dried pasta. Contrary to popular belief, there is no cream in the traditional carbonara dish in Rome…so you can afford to eat even more of this tasty dish!

Explore holiday destinations to Rome

Stacked Sicilian cannolis (Image: Pixabay)

Cannoli in Sicily

Sicily produces many beautiful regional dishes thanks to its abundance of fresh seafood and vegetables. It is famed for pasta dishes such as pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) but one of its most popular (and scrumptious) dishes is a dessert. 

Sicilian cannoli are tubes of deep-fried pastry filled with a sweet creamy filling, usually ricotta, and dusted with powdered sugar or crushed nuts. They can be bite-sized or even as long as your hand. There are various types of filling and toppings – all delicious and very good with a sharp espresso. It’s thought that cannoli were originally prepared as a part of the Carnevale festival that’s celebrated in the region in February, although nowadays the dessert is enjoyed all year around. The Ballarò market in Palermo is a favourite spot for cannoli and there are many specialty Italian pasticceria that produce the authentic dessert. 

Explore holidays to Sicily

Feeling hungry yet? Explore these foodie hot spots and more with this great range of holidays to Italy. Return flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions are all included on Travel Department’s Italy holidays. Their expert local guides will be available throughout the tour and can provide recommendations for the best sights to see in Italy during your leisure time.

Discuss more travel with fellow Silvers in the Silver Lifestyle Facebook page

About Travel Department

Silver Magazine chooses its partners very carefully, and Travel Department is no exception. With nearly 30 years’ experience perfecting tours to around 140 destinations worldwide, Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide.

They offer a wide range of guided group holidays from city breaks or solo travel to active and adventure holidays (including walking, yoga and photography holidays) with their sister brand, TD active Holidays.

With multiple departure airports across the UK, you can fly from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland. In Northern Ireland they fly from Belfast (plus Dublin and Cork) and for passengers from the South they depart from Bristol and a range of London airports.

The mood is upbeat, friendly, and inclusive, where everyone feels welcome.

Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide. With Travel Department you see more!

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

The post A foodie guide to Italy appeared first on Silver Magazine.

The world was once a daunting place to navigate. You had to be good at reading a map, adept at overcoming language barriers, and be an expert-level logistical planner. Today, it’s a different story as an ever-increasing number of us set off on adventures, charting new territories in places that once seemed out of reach. An escorted tour holiday is one of the ways people are making their dreams come true.

But what do we mean by ‘escorted tour’?

Before we start

Travel is back! Silver Magazine and Travel Department want to help you fall in love with travel again in 2022 and 2023. Travel Department is delighted to offer readers of Silver Magazine an exclusive code to use on a fantastic range of 2022 and 2023 holidays.

SAVE £75pp* on any holiday of 8 nights or more. Use promo code: SMAG75

SAVE £50pp* on any holiday of 7 nights. Use promo code: SMAG50

SAVE £25pp* on any holiday of 6 nights or less. Use promo code: SMAG25

If you have any questions, or would simply like to learn more about their wonderful destinations, why not give one of their brilliant team a call on 0117 911 7019

Charting new territory is also influenced by the ever-expanding choice of escorted tours on the market. An escorted tour, or guided tour, is one of the best and most flexible ways to get to grips with a new country.

With the helping hand of an expert guide, we get to uncover hidden gems and break down all sorts of cultural and language barriers. That is why Travel Department was created over 20 years ago. The company organises tours from Ireland to more than 140 destinations worldwide, with flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided excursions all included. There is an incredible choice of holidays to choose from, making it so much easier to explore the world.

And this is why Silver has chosen to work with them.

Fancy a trip to Venice?

The changing face of escorted tours

an escorted tour can conjure up images of packed, sweaty coaches filled with people that ramble through overcrowded tourist spots with stop-offs in overpriced hotels. But today’s tours are much more sophisticated and diverse

… an escorted tour can conjure up images of packed, sweaty coaches… but today’s tours are much more sophisticated and diverse

Escorted tours aren’t always about ‘doing’. Sometimes they’re as much about relaxing and soaking up local culture too. Culture vultures can enjoy a city break, stay in a carefully selected hotel, and enjoy half-day tours that allow you to get your bearings.

You can immerse yourself in the city, soaking up its history, sampling its cuisine and visiting museums, galleries, and attractions (while bypassing the queues). You’ll enjoy some ‘me-time’. But you’ll also have the benefit of sharing your experience with like-minded people.

Enjoy the benefits without the stress

Time to adventure off-grid?

With an escorted tour, escape your comfort zone! Embark on a long-haul adventure without the hassle of planning the trip. Attempting to organise a spiritual journey through India, a road-trip through North America, or unpacking the highlights of South America in a two-week trip by yourself could be a costly and logistical nightmare.

An escorted tour, however, will take care of everything. All you have to do is show up. With an escorted tour there’s minimal planning stress and you only need to pay once. You won’t have to pore over foreign train timetables or scroll through hotel comparison websites – your tour operator has already done the hard work for you. They’ll make sure every transfer and check-in go through without a glitch. And if something goes wrong, they will know exactly what to do.

As accommodation, transfers and excursion prices are all included in the main price of the tour, you can also budget more effectively. Tour guides and some meals, along with entrance fees to attractions, are usually included too.

Authentic, insider information

Escorted tours can also give you a more authentic travel experience. Travel Department have spent years perfecting their itineraries with tried and tested research so you can trust them to put together a worthy schedule. We wouldn’t work with them otherwise.

They hire locals, or experts with a wealth of regional knowledge to give you the best and most authentic insider information. They have inspected every hotel, bar, and restaurant. Assessed everything about the area, and thought carefully about the diverse needs of travellers. This attention to detail helps to bring together the very best of each destination, ensuring you don’t waste a moment.

They can steer you towards the best restaurants (that aren’t always in the guidebooks), and quirky side street cafes. And introduce you to the most interesting local characters. That sense of authenticity allows you to get under the skin of a place, and it means that you won’t just come away from your trip with just a few touristy snaps on your phone.

Instead, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the destination.

Find some time for yourself – or meet new friends

Escorted tours aren’t all about sticking to a schedule either. Touring itineraries factor in plenty of time to yourself, with the flexibility to spend the afternoon sipping coffee at a pavement cafe, meandering through a city to see what you come across, or adding extra time before or after the tour to create a holiday of your own.

It also provides you with the opportunity to make new friends. Tour operators curate trips for a range of different age groups. It is also great for solo travellers. Often fellow travellers get along so well that they even arrange to meet after the trip, or go on another escorted tour together.

So, if you have been planning an adventure for 2022 or 2023 but you’d really like to get into the culture of a place, rather than the touristy part, perhaps a guided tour is for you. You will enjoy the trip of a lifetime… without any hassle.

Have a look at the brilliant holidays on Travel Department here – and don’t forget your Silver special code!

About Travel Department

Silver Magazine chooses its partners very carefully, and Travel Department is no exception. With nearly 30 years’ experience perfecting tours to around 140 destinations worldwide, Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide.

They offer a wide range of guided group holidays from city breaks or solo travel to active and adventure holidays (including walking, yoga and photography holidays) with their sister brand, TD active Holidays.

With multiple departure airports across the UK, you can fly from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland. In Northern Ireland they fly from Belfast (plus Dublin and Cork) and for passengers from the South they depart from Bristol and a range of London airports.

The mood is upbeat, friendly, and inclusive, where everyone feels welcome.

Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide. With Travel Department you see more!

silvermagazine

If you’d like to receive a regular mini-magazine direct to your inbox with a selection of editorial features to read at your leisure, please sign up for our newsletter. We also run the odd competition and offer and whatnot, and newsletter members get the heads-up first.

The post Why you should consider an escorted tour for your next holiday appeared first on Silver Magazine.