by Joshua Schuermann from Easy Hiker

Looking for a place to rock the night away in Paris that will not rip-off your wallet? Here are 5 of the most electric, grungy yet chic bars and clubs you can find in the City of Pop … erm … Lights especially selected by Joshua Schuermann aka Easy Hiker Jr.

L’Escale

Word-of-mouth has assured the success of this bar that offers the cheapest Mojito around the capital (€4.50 a pint), great Latin music that will get your feet twitching for a salsa and very friendly staff. The place is basically a hole in the wall, so don’t expect to be sat on a table after 9p.m. But you would not want to sit inside anyway.
Where: 34 rue Clignancourt 75018, metro Barbes-Rochechouart or Chateau Rouge

Social Club

You like electronic music? Want to see tomorrow’s stars today – or perhaps even catch one of the big names of today’s scene live in action. Then, it’s loud and clear: go to the Social Club (formerly Le Triptyque, who first hosted bands like Justice, and Daft Punk)
Where: 142 rue Montmartre 75002, metro Bourse or Grands Boulevards

Le Point Ephémère

Where underground meets trendy, the world of grunge clashes with the urban idyll of the Canal St Martin and other seemingly irreconcilable opposites run into one another, the sparks of creative energy are still flying.
Where: 200 Quai de Valmy 75010, metro Louis Blanc

Le Pompon

A humble underground bar turned from an ugly duckling into the shining new star of the Parisian club scene. It has 2 bars to quench guests thirst after dancing away to the featured band’s music.
Where: Palais Bar 39 rue des Petites Ecuries 75010, metro Chateau d’Eau

Scop’ club

Come for the live rock music, stay for the food, come back for the atmosphere. Yes, there is that kind of club in Paris. If you’re lucky, you might even see live acts of up and coming international artists.
Where: 5 Ave. de l’Opera 75001, moetro Palais Roya, Musee de Louvre or Pyramides

by Joshua Schuermann from Easy Hiker

Image: Le Pompon

Why not take a trip to París? Have a look at our flights here! 

The most characteristic cakes & sweets in Sicily

There are plenty of sweet reasons for the food lovers to plan a trip to Palermo, especially for those that love sweets. Some of the most famous sweets in Sicily, like cassata, cannoli or the best ice creams and chocolates, are available here. You can eat them on holidays or special occasions and is one of the most common culinary habits for the people in Sicily.

Before you get inside one of the well-known 'pasticcerias' in Palermo, you need to know a little bit more about this delicious desserts.

Cassata is the most typical cake in the area of Palermo. Generally speaking, it has a round shape and is made of layered cakes softened by liquor and fruit, plus layers of ricottacheese. Toppings are usually baroque, made of marzipan and all kinds of decorations, usually candied fruit from the area.

The famous cannolis are a dessert, very typical in Sicily, which you should try if you are in Palermo. It is made of a wafer cone pastry filled with sweet cottage cheese and usually toped with hazelnuts, pistachio or chocolate, depending on the area, sprinkling with powdered sugar.

The buccellato is a cake made of shortcut pastry filled with dried fruit like figs, raisins or almonds, aromatized with orange peel or other ingredients, depending on the area. The dessert is toped with cake icing and candied fruit.

The ice cream from Sicily is probably one of the best ice creams in Italy, due to the wide variety of fresh fruits in the area. In fact, the regular breakfast here is usually a roll filled by ice cream, generally of the classic flavours like pistachio, almond, chocolate or seasonal fruits.

The baduzziare pastries made of almond and cocoa powder. Another sweet made of almond are cardenales, made of candied fruit, pistachio, lemon zest and eggshell, the cucchiteddi from Sciacca are almonds paste filled by pumpkins and mostachones from Mesina are aromatized with cinnamon.

The chocolate from Módica is made in southern Sicily, with a traditional technique inspired by the Aztec, using only three ingredients: cocoa, sugar and spices.

Some of the best bakeries and confectioners in Palermo

Pasticceria Matranga
Via Cesareo, 38
www.pasticceriagbmatranga.it

Pasticceria Capello
Via Colonna Rotta, 68
www.pasticceriacappello.it

Pasticceria Costa
Via D’Annunzio, 15
www.pasticceriacosta.com

Pasticceria La Cubana
Via G. Pitrè, 143
www.lacubana.it

Pasticceria Oscar
Via Mariano Migliaccio, 39
www.oscarpasticceria.it

Spinnato
Via Principe di Belmonte, 107
www.spinnato.it

Why not take a trip to Palermo? Have a look at our flights here!

By Marlys Schuermann Easy Hiker

Nantes is one of the many charming and interesting small French towns you have to discover. You can easily spend a leisurely week-end there and keep yourself busy sight-seeing the town, either on foot or renting a Bicloo (the equivalent of a Velib in Paris.)

What to See and Where to Go

1. The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and Nantes, which is now a museum. If the weather is fine, you can even settle yourselves on the grassy moat surrounding the castle, either to picnic, play or just to soak in the sun.

2. Make sure you go inside the castle and perhaps look into that well and make a wish.

3. The gothic Cathedral, famous for being the most beautifully restored cathedral in France.

4. Enjoy a stroll at the Place Royale, where right and left, you will find open-air cafes for your coffee break.

5. Bike to or take the tramway line no. 1, to the Gare Maritime to catch a Navibus (river boat) to bring you to the old fishing village of Trentemoult.

6. There are no more working fishermen in Trentemoult but it is worth the while to see the quaint houses and ruelles still surviving.

7. The Ile de Nantes, where “Le Jardin des Machines” is located, is one destination you cannot and would not want to miss, mainly to see and perhaps take a ride on its most popular attraction, the Giant Mechanical Elephant.

To savour the spectacle, I would recommend for you to stay on the ground and just watch the mechanical pachyderm trumpet out steam and slowly stroll around the park.

8. After all that excitement with this circus, you can go back to the mainland and visit the Passage Pomeraye, a 3-level 19th century shopping arcade.

9. See the objects the chocolatiers of Maison Larnicol created out of chocolate – a lady’s stiletto, a handbag, two giant lipsticks and a replica Jaguar.

10. Right near Nantes central train station is the famous Tour de LU. It was in Nantes that the biscuit factory of LU had its main site but has since been turned into a theatre/museum.

On your visit to the old fishing village Trentemoult, you must have seen their sign, too.

11. And where to eat when in Nantes? At the Brasserie La Cigale, of course (4, Place Graslin.) This restaurant has served good food for almost 115 years. Be part of their history. Best to reserve if going for dinner or go after 14h00 to be sure of getting a table. They’re open all day (07h30-00h30)

To help you go and see more of Nantes, check out their Tourism Bureau’s advice HERE.

Image: Dyhorus

By Marlys SchuermannEasy Hiker

Somewhere well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.

Full of life, Gazi neighbourhood (Γκάζι) is one of the most cheerful in Athens. This is the place to taste the nightlife of the Greek city, a labyrinth of narrow streets full of multitudes to enjoy a great offer of leisure.

This was the first neighbourhood hosting gay-friendly clubs and, after time, became the trendiest place in Athens, with an energy that cannot be seen anywhere else in the city and its own rhythm.

In Gazi there are the modern cocktail bars, night pubs, new cafés and restaurants, also museums, galleries and theatres. The main spot in the neighbourhood is an old gas factory that was reopened in 1999 as an elegant arts centre named Tecnópolis.

Gazi means exactly that, gas factory, and is at this factory where there are exhibitions, concerts and festivals regularly. The building is from 1862 and includes cultural spaces, a big patio, the María Callas Museum, the city radio and a cosy café.

This might be one of the few gas factories that remain after World War II. The reason is that is near the Acropolis and the old archaeological setting of Keramikos and the nazis, who were into classic culture, were afraid to bomb this area.

At night, the relaxed cafés of Gazi Square and the streets around, like Iakou, Persephonis, Dekeleon and Voutadon, become modern bars and restaurants.

Go to Mamaca's in Persephonis street. It’s a classic around here, the place to eat great Greek food. At the same street, The Butcher Shop, an excellent psistaria, typical Greek tavern specialized in roast and grilled meats. Both restaurants have tables in the streets.

In Vitonos there is Thalata, a great restaurant specialized in seafood. Even it’s a little bit expensive for the Greek standard, the quality is great and you won’t feel like you’re in a fake place made for tourists. Walls are painted with the beautiful colours of the Cyclades and you can get the advice from the owner to get the freshest products.

In Athiri you have a great weekly menu, made of gourmet courses, for about 25€. The restaurant was awarded several times so is a safe option, with fresh products, organic olive oil and homemade desserts. Even the bread is homemade!

To go for a drink, Gazarte is the most famous place to go. Getting a cocktail at the roof, with great views over the Acropolis, is so refreshing. There is also a cinema, a restaurant, a bookstore and a room where there’s live music scheduled daily.

Makes you want to go, right? Do it! Check out our prices here!