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Top 6 Festive European Markets

February 1, 2020

Christmas is a merry time of year. Full of holiday cheer, good food, quality time with family and friends, and fantastic decorations, this highly-modernized winter holiday is one of the biggest holidays in the Western world.

Christmas, in many cities, is accompanied by the opening of Christmas markets. In Europe, these are particularly popular, popping up all over the country.

What are the best Christmas markets in Europe? It’s hard to decide, but here are a few of our favorites.

Estonia: Tallinn Christmas Market

With temperatures barely hitting zero, this time of year in old world Estonia is the perfect time for a market. The Tallinn Christmas Market turns this small Estonian city into a shopping haven.

Here, you can find an overwhelming selection of vendors selling traditional Estonian crafts, food, decor, clothing, and gifts. To keep goers entertained, the market also hosts a variety of live performers and choirs.

Fresh mulled apple cider and wine can be smelled from miles away – delicious!

Finland: Tuomaan Markkinat

One of the oldest events in Helsinki, the Tuomaan Markkinat is a yearly tradition.

During this market, the city is usually bathed in a blanket of fresh snow that compliments the twinkling Christmas lights that the citys eager residents hang in the streets.

At the market, tables and tables of handmade clothing, crafts, artwork, food, and jewelry can be found. Some vendors even sell local produce, fish, and meat. To end a night at the market, goers are encouraged to enjoy the Christmas merry-go-round.

Germany: Striezelmarkt

From the word “striezel” meaning long, plaited bun, comes the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, Germany.

This holiday market is one of Dresden’s oldest yearly markets, offering everything from glass blown trinkets and carved wood statues to fine jewelry and gifts, the market has something for everyone.

However, one of the markets most iconic events is the Christmas cake competition which has bakers from all over the city vying to make the biggest holiday cake. The cake that wins is paraded through town by hundreds of bakers.

Visitors who stop by should also be sure to try the handmade Stollenfest, as it’s a Dresden holiday staple.

Brussels Christmas Market

Love Belgian chocolate? You’ll love Brussels’ Christmas Market. Serving a wide variety of festive, tasty chocolates and homemade Belgian food and sweet treats, you won’t go home hungry.

Although this market is known for its food vendors, it also has a ton more to offer.

Other vendors include gifts and jewelry, while those who aren’t interested in shopping can partake in outdoor skating or stay for the annual Christmas tree lighting.

Austria: Christkindlmarkt

As if Austria wasn’t already one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, it gets better each year during the holiday season.

Each year the Christkindlmsrkt in Salzburg draws thousands of guests with its mulled wine and good food, vendor booths, reindeer rides, and ice skating.

The market also hosts sing alongs and live entertainment. Traditional wind music is played live on Thursdays and Saturdays from the square.

Sweden: Christmas Market at Skansen

An open-air festival based out of Stockholm, the Christmas Market at Skansen is as traditional as the holiday season gets.

Historic homes and farms are decorated, sugared almonds, smoked turkey, and other delicacies are sold by vendors, and traditional dances are held around a lit Christmas tree. Visitors could also choose to make their own holiday decorations in the public workshop.

Hopefully these amazing markets have sparked your interest – they sure got our imaginations going! If you’re in the area of any of these markets, we’d recommend taking a few hours to browse and enjoy the festivities.

Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid While Traveling

March 26, 2019

Nothing can beat the joys and excitement that you can only get when you travel. Traveling lets you navigate new places, taste unique and authentic cuisines, meet new people, and explore other cultures.

But, accidents can happen anywhere. In an unfortunate event that you stain the carpet of the hotel or your rental accommodation while on travel, what would you do? Would you try cleaning the carpet yourself or let the hotel charge you for it?

Cleaning the carpet is no easy task. Are you ready to take on the hassle and waste your precious time should you decide to clean the carpet yourself?

The Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes

Make no mistake, carpet cleaning becomes extra difficult when we miss on proper carpet cleaning techniques. In most cases, it can be cheaper and more convenient for you to hire a professional carpet cleaning company like 580 Carpet Cleaning rather than doing it yourself or having the hotel bill you for it.

Now, let us take a look at some of the common mistakes you should avoid when it comes to cleaning the carpets.

Waiting too Long Before Removing the Stain

Waiting before removing a stain is never a good idea. Postponing the inevitable cleaning only means you are allowing the stain to set in. The more the stain sets in, the harder it is to remove them. Carpet should be cleaned immediately after spilling or staining them.

Excessive Rubbing

Rubbing is part of cleaning the carpet but you should remember not to overdo it. The right technique is to blot instead of rubbing too much. Carpets are made of fibers and sensitive materials that can get damaged when exposed to too much pressure. Sometimes, when we spill something on the carpet, our instant reaction is to rub the spot vigorously, putting too much pressure while trying to rub the stain away. This forceful cleaning will almost always only end up ruining the carpet.

Too Much Use of Water

When cleaning the carpet, take care not to apply too much amount of water or you will end up having more problems than when it started. Excessive moisture left in the carpet can lead to foul odor and becomes a breeding area for bacteria, molds, and mildew. Too much water takes longer to dry and further contaminates the carpet. It can leave grey marks, ruin the looks of the carpet, and will cause the backing system of the carpet to degrade over time.

Better Carpet Cleaning Method with Professional Cleaning Services

There are a number of things to consider when it comes to cleaning the carpet. That’s one reason why carpet cleaning is never a fun thing to do. In addition, there are some common mistakes which a lot of us make when cleaning the carpet.

This is where the experts in carpet cleaning services play an important role. With professional carpet cleaning services, you can expect hassle-free exceptional results, all while saving your time, so you can enjoy life to the fullest.

Cosmo Social Travel Guide: the coolest things to do in the most instagramed cities

August 6, 2018

Even if you’ve already been there is the perfect time to come back, this time with a travel blogger spirit: London, Paris and Barcelona are the three most photographed cities in the world according to a research conducted by Hertz Europe to celebrate its first hundred years.

London is at the top with over 90 million photos posted on Instagram, followed by Paris with 77 million and Barcelona with 35. The only Italian in the standings, in ninth place, is Rome with 16 million shots. In the top ten there are also Moscow, Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Ankara and Prague . Take note for your next weekends and warm your thumbs: here we give you the pro tips to take a photo tour of the three capitals in the lead.

THE MUST HAVE FOR YOUR PHOTOSAFARI: WHAT TO PACK

In hand baggage do not forget: the lens-clean wipes (also very useful to give a pass to the screen), with which you will avoid taking pictures full of soft focus haloes, those are perfect to clean the glasses. In addition to the charger also carries an external battery or a power bank. Take with you an external fisheye lens , macro and you can zoom it out to make real guru shots. Finally do not forget your props : to customize your photos and make them recognizable in the chaos of Instagram timelines, always add a detail that speaks about you.

THE APPS TO DOWNLOAD BEFORE LEAVING

Before leaving, take advantage of the wi-fi at home to make a massive download of all the apps that can serve you during your photoweekend. Must-have the basic apps to use Instagram from a real pro . And then choose the ones that inspire you the most among the travel apps we’ve tried for you: the right apps to keep a travel diary , the smartest apps so you do not spoil your holiday from the little surprises, to the weather apps to choose where to lure you to shoot depending on whether there is sun or storm (with the overcast make photos of really spatial landscapes!).

Ok, you’re ready to check-in. Mark the most popular hashtags to enter the right feeds, flag Google Maps on places to shop away from the clichés and studied the guides to the neighborhoods of each capital, written by our Cosmoeditor.

LONDON

COURTESY HERTZ

The Brexit effect has made it much less accessible if you want to live there, but the good news is that getting there and getting away is definitely cheaper than a few years ago. Big Ben, London Eye and Tower Bridge are absolutely the favorite destinations of instagramers. Among the tops that have great potential for interesting shots are the Tate Modern , the walk along the Thames and Kensington Gardens

Holidays with friends, 5 destinations where to live the most beautiful experience to do several times in life

The holidays with friends are one of the most beautiful experiences to do over and over again in life, changing destinations. So here are 5 unusual ideas, for demanding friends and with clear ideas. Quiet not all are expensive, because what matters is undoubtedly the journey and the country you visit, but above all that you and your friends have fun madly to bring with you an indelible memory of a trip together .

1. Route 66

If you feel a bit ‘ Born To Be Wild the idea is the legendary Route 66, the legendary road that starts from Chicago and arrives in Santa Monica and that crosses the United States. Of course, before leaving for the adventure, plan the itinerary in great detail because there are so many things to see. There are 3,755 kilometers to travel by car, motorbike or camper! To sleep, the small hotels that meet on the street are perfect.

2. India, Dehli and Rajasthan

If you and your friends are a little zen, mystical or if you are passionate about yoga (born in India) or if you want a holiday a bit ‘alternative, India is the ideal destination in which to recover a little’ spirituality , what the frenetic rhythms of daily life make us forget. To breathe a little mentally and try to get in touch with cosmic energies. Unforgettable places and landscapes from the legendary Taj Mahal , an absolute must for every first trip to India, to the pink buildings of magical Jaipur.

3. Croatia, Krk

Do you want to spice up in the sun like lizards? Do you play water or water on the waterfront? The Island of Krk in Croatia is the one for you. Here you can taste the smell of maritime pines and relax in unspoilt and protected nature. And then between clubs, restaurants and pubs, life by night is assured. The perfect location, are apartments and villas to rent in the Njivice area, in the forest but 50 meters from the sea!

4. Madonna di Campiglio, Livigno, Cervini

If the sea is not even, and you are passionate about the mountains, Madonna di Campiglio, Livigno and Cervinia are for you. The offer is always wider and more diversified for everyone, with many opportunities to do outdoor activities, from walking to trekking, to rafting along the streams, to the exploration of the territory with dedicated excursions, on foot or on horseback, with stops in huts, huts and shelters to taste the local gastronomic specialties and visits to the cellars.

5. Moscow

If you do not love the sea or the mountains, Moscow is for you. You can immerse yourself in the art of the richly decorated metro stations and in the most famous places in the world for ballet, theatrical performances, music and opera, such as Bolshoi and others. Also worth a visit is the Moscow Art Theater, where the modern acting method was founded, or the Moscow International Performing Arts Center and the Moscow “Tchaikovsky” Conservatory or the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.