2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide - (Page 35)

This Costa del Sol port city might offer some fun in the sun, but there's a whole lot more awaiting visitors. Here, in what is considered one of the world's oldest cities, visitors can retrace a history that goes back thousands of years. In fact, it was in this very spot where, due to this port city's strategic location, some of the world's most important civilizations-the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans-established vital trade routes. SEE: Dive head first into the city's architectural marvels spanning various centuries-there's the Alcazaba Horse-drawn carriage ride through (eighth to 11th centuries), one of the largest Arab Malaga's picturesque streets. fortresses in Andalusia; the Gibralfaro Castle (14th century), with jaw-dropping views of the city; the Cathedral (16 to 18th centuries), with its unfinished right tower; and the Roman theater, Malaga's oldest monument. SAVOR: Get to know the locals, including one of its most famous sons, Picasso. The Picasso Museum displays some 230 works of art by this master painter, produced between 1892 and 1972. SIGNATURE EVENT: Malaga goes all out during Holy Week, when members of the various religious brotherhoods, dressed in their traditional robes, parade through the streets carrying floats bearing religious statues, or pasos. STAY: Location, location, location. For that you can't beat the AC Hotel Malaga Palacio, with 214 rooms and offering easy access to the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba, the Gibralfaro Castle, and La Malagueta Beach. It's also said to offer some of the most spectacular views of the city. CRUISE: Malaga is home to the oldest continuously operated port in Spain and one of the oldest in the Mediterranean, and cruise shipping is an important part of its industry, welcoming 420,000 cruise passengers in 2015. May to September FUN FACT: Ninety percent of aluminum cans are recycled in Sweden. Bonus fact: Swedish parents are entitled to 480 days of paid parental leave; of that, 60 days are reserved for Dad GETTING THERE: Delta flies to Stockholm from New York (JFK) ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport CURRENCY: Swedish Krona LOCAL FOODS: Swedes are raised on a diet of herring in many forms; the other important and delicious dish is kottbullar (meatballs). Thursday is the day for a traditional meal of thick, yellow-pea soup with pork, followed by pancakes with lingonberry preserves BEST BUYS: The uniquely Swedish sense of design has reached around the world- think IKEA and H&M, for starters. Top buys are Kosta Boda and Orrefors crystal; furs; high-end stainless steel flatware; jewelry; silver; dolls; and handicrafts such as the colorful wooden Dala horses INFORMATION PLEASE: visitsweden.com BEST TIME TO GO: Stockholm Sometimes referred to as "the Venice of the North," Stockholm is built on 14 islands and woven together by 54 bridges. This historic capital is as modern as the 21st century, an exciting city buzzing with culture, culinary pleasures and a boom-boom nightlife. And don't forget to do as the natives do: Let a ferryboat whisk you away to an offshore archipelago of islands...for an hour, a day, or a week. SEE: Stockholm has about 100 museums. Top of the popularity line is the Royal Palace, actually four museums in one, while the most spectacular is the Vasa Museum housing a fabulous 17th century warship. Skansen, one of Europe's premier (and its first) openair museums, shows the Sweden of bygone days with some 150 farm and manor houses transplanted from all over the country, plus arts and crafts people at work on site. SAVOR: Michelin keeps showering stars on Sweden's restaurants serving up its delicious and innovative cuisine. Oaxen Krog earned its second star last year, bringing a total of 3 two-star restaurants-along with Mathias Dahlgren-Matsalen and Frantzen-to the capital. SIGNATURE EVENT: Midsummer Eve (next to the last Saturday in June) is a major festival celebrated at Skansen over three days. STAY: Debuting this spring is Haymarket by Scandic Hotels, occupying the iconic PUB department store building and preserving Art Deco details to combine with custom-designed Scandinavian furnishing. On offer are 405 rooms and 16 suites, Paul restaurant, and Greta's cafe, named after Greta Garbo, who was a sales clerk in the hat department. CRUISE: Baltic cruise itineraries include Stockholm as a port of call. 35 SWEDEN FACTS SWEDEN SPAIN Malaga http://www.visitsweden.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Ghana
Kenya
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Senegal
Tanzania
Egypt
India
Israel
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide