Mikonos: a free-spirited island
Greece and its islands are a paradise for tourists where culture, mythology, art, cuisine and incredible landscapes blend perfectly. But if people go to Santorini or Crete looking for a relaxing and peaceful holidays, they go to Mykonos in search of its leisure and its famous beach parties, like it happens for instance in Ibiza.
Mecca of gay tourism, people live without prejudice in Mykonos; it is a happy, carefree and cosmopolitan island as many people who visited Mykonos at the time as a tourist, and stayed falling in love of its style and life quality.
The facades of the houses in the tourist areas are painted twice a year of pure white and make a wonderful contrast to the blue, yellow or deep red of some domes or details in the houses, in a neat appearance.
During the day you can relax on the pristine beaches of Kalo Livadi, Agrari, Elia, Psarou, Paranga Gialos, Ornos or Kalafatis, and, when the night falls, enjoy their wide leisure offer.
Two of the most popular beaches are Paradise and Super Paradise, about 6 miles southwest of Chora; nice beaches with good infrastructures, particularly famous for its parties. When evening comes, the entire beach becomes a huge outdoor club where house music and lounge turn up the volume in different bars and people dance until dawn. Here is the Paradise Club, one of the most popular clubs on the island, especially for the younger public, with the best techno, pop rock and dance music.
Out of Paradise and Super Paradise, there is a great deal of small clubs or large macro-discos throughout the island:
Caprice Bar
caprice.gr
It has been in Alefkandra for years, one of the most beautiful areas of Mykonos, also known as Little Venice, with its low houses with porches that almost reach the water.
Cavo Paradiso
cavoparadiso.gr
With a privileged location on a cliff overlooking the sea, Cavo Paradise is the place for electronic music lovers. The best dj’s come around here during July and August!
Skandinavian
skandinavianbar.com
Located downtown and with two floors; the ground floor is occupied with bars with terraces and there is a dance floor upstairs where house and the most commercial hits sound.
Astra Bar
www.astra-mykonos.com
One of the classics of the Greek night. Its doors opened in 1987 and its decor is stunning. Since then, the Astra Bar is a place, not as big as the famous clubs of the island, but where you can find good music and an atmosphere away from the tourists. Sometimes they bring djs and boast their taste for good music.
Picture Little Venice by Zitumassin | Picture Mikonos by Sailko
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Drink and Dance the Night Away in Paris
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
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Of Gigs In Hamburg
Some myths about European cities could do with an upgrade. One of these has Hamburg labelled as an eminently professional destination associated with the work sector. While there is some truth to that, it would be a crass error to reduce Germany’s second largest city to the sole status of business haven. Indeed, under the hood of that metropolis, which forms its own federal state (it covers an area of 755 square kilometres), seethes a cultural scene which is well worth venturing into. This nerve centre of Germanic arts also boasts a highly prominent music scene.
Any fan of The Beatles knows that Hamburg is the place where the group hatched their plot to rise to stardom. There are even routes which take you to the spots trodden by the Fab Four. But, far from aiming to live off the past and beatlemania,Hamburg features a powerful network of concert halls with highly varied programmes, both in terms of live music and DJs eager to blast out any kind of sound. Hamburg is a cosmopolitan capital and this comes out in their open-mindedness about all artistic activity.
A tour of these live music clubs might start at III&70, a venue on Schulterblatt street which spotlights upcoming artists. From singer-songwriters to rock groups, electronic music and jam sessions (the most crowded nights of the week).III&70 also has a café famed for its generous breakfasts and an outdoor terrace with some fabulous table football.
Still in the Schulterblatt area, a short walk away we come to Kleiner Donner, the hub of Hamburg’s hip hop scene. While small, this basement locale packs a punch. Here, DJs and MCs eager to make their mark combine explosive scratches with freakish rhythms. This is one of the city’s coolest clubs – be sure to get there early at the weekend; otherwise you are likely to get shut out, as their capacity is rather limited.
Pressing on with the itinerary as far as Nobistor street, in the city centre, we stop off at Molotow, one of the most respected concert halls in Hamburg. Inaugurated in 1990, in the run-up to the times of alternative rock fever, such groups as The White Stripes and At The Drive -Inhave graced their stage. Their current offerings are headed by punk, as well as independent pop and rock bands. Like Kleiner Donner, this is a basement venue which acts as a pressure cooker when crowded. A hundred per cent rock and roll.
Let’s leave behind the “modern” styles and venture into the world of jazz and swing – the latter on the up and up of late. Indeed, Hamburg’s Cotton Club is a living history of live music in Germany. In fact, it is the oldest venue is in town devoted to jazz – in 2009 they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary. Located near Planten un Blomen, a park and botanical gardens in the heart of Hamburg – their own Central Park, to be sure – Cotton Club offers live music all days of the week. And, their gigs are reinforced by an exquisite array of house cocktails.
Another historic place of mandatory pilgrimage is Logo, sited next door to Universität Hamburg. Opened in 1974, its small stage was honoured by the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen, The Jayhawks, Peaches, Modest Mouse, Rammstein, Blink 182, Ben Folds Five, Dillinger Escape Plan, Phoenix and Oasis before their rise to stardom. Nowadays they feature established groups interspersed with upcoming talent touting to make a name for themselves in pop and rock. Logo also offers an appealing programme of tribute bands.
Fire up and discover Hamburg’s musical scene – book your Vueling here.
Text by Xavi Sánchez for Los Viajes de ISABELYLUIS
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A Walk Through the Music of Barcelona
• Rumba Catalana. This musical genre was developed by the Catalan gypsy community in Barcelona from the 50′s in Raval (calle de la Cera), Gracia and Hostafrancs neighborhoods.
• Gran Teatre del Liceu and Palau de la Música. Two great music temples of Barcelona where you can listen to opera and classical music in a privileged environment.
• Music day in Barcelona. On June 21st takes place the music day celebration involving music labels and music stores as BCore or Revolver that hold live shows in their shops.
• Heliogábal. Reference site for the stimulation of the artistic life in Barcelona. Most musicians has played here as a way to promote their music.
• Serrat and el Poble Sec. Joan Manuel Serrat is also known by the nickname of El noi del Poble Sec (the child of Poble Sec, the neighborhood where he was born). Serrat is one of the city’s most international artists.
• Carmen Amaya. One of the most important flamenco figures, Amaya was born in the now defunct Somorrostro, which became part of what we know today as Barceloneta. In the gardens of Joan Brossa we can find a statue of the iconic singer and dancer.
• Antonio Machín statue in Plaza Vicenç Martorell. In the district of Ciutat Vella is honored the singer of boleros considered “the most Cuban of Spanish and the most Spanish of Cubans.”
• Pau Casals. Although he was originally from El Vendrell, with 13 years old he began playing at Cafe Tost in Gracia neighbourhood three hours every night. Pau became one of the best cellists of all time.
• El Paralelo, music and theater. The famous Paralelo Avenue was the hub of the theater and night life in Barcelona for many years. A street full of theaters and dance halls.
• Sala Apolo and Razzmatazz.. They remain the city ultimate party rooms where concerts are scheduled daily and parties are held every night (tourists love them).
• Sónar and Primavera Sound. The two most international music festivals were thousands of people from all over the world gather to enjoy three days of live music . Sónar is a reference in electronic music, Primavera Sound does not close doors to any style but focuses on the most modern and independent music acts.
• Plaça Reial. Barcelona’s hot spot and an iconic square downtown, next to Las Ramblas, venues like Jamboree where you can see the best live jazz, Sidecar, Ocaña or Glaciar, terraces, people wandering through the square, the palm trees, all in together create a special atmosphere to this place.
• Taller de Músics, with his own record label, workshop production and jazz club. Every musician ever will pass by the Taller de Musics, either to join one of the jam session or to learn to play an instrument, the options are endless.
• Bar Vinilo. Located in the heart of Gracia, vinilo is a bar where you can enjoy good music and great atmosphere. Very often musicians and artists pass by to have a drink and listen to good music.
• Calle Tallers. For many years has been the main records and instruments shopping avenue. Today there are still some shops that always attract music lovers and musicians.
So you feel like visiting Barcelona, do you? Book your flights here!