Europe Items

How to get high in Amsterdam: a guide to adventure sports

In the future, it won't be legal for tourists to smoke cannabis in Amsterdam's specialist coffee shops. But don't worry - we've found five alternative ways to get high in the city, and we think they're much more interesting...

The top 5 places to spot a real Vampire

On Bram Stokers 100th Birthday, we forget about Twilight, True Blood and Transylvanian tourism – and track down the top five places to spot a real (or the closest thing to a real) vampire instead.

European festivals more popular with young Brits

ABTA are predicting a massive surge in bookings for European music festivals this summer – as Glastonbury is cancelled in the UK.

InterRail Pass turns 40

This year the InterRail Pass, a ticket to budget travel across Europe, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Enjoy an amazing gap year in Europe

Europe is a fantastic destination for those planning a gap year. With so many different countries and cultures to take in, you can be sure of having an amazing trip. However, while the wide choice of places to go can make deciding where exactly to visit difficult, it may be a wise idea to incorporate the following countries into your travel plans.

A guide to TEFL teaching on your gap year

Teaching English as a foreign language can be a great way to spend your gap year. You get to spend time in another country, learn a new language, learn new skills, make friends and earn money at the same time. There are so many stories and misconceptions surrounding TEFL jobs though that it can be quite hard to know where to start or who to believe, so mapthegap.co.uk have come up with some answers for you.

More festival ideas for Europe this summer

Looking for festival fun as part of your gap year? Rail Europe have put together some recommended music extravaganzas taking place this summer, which could form the highlight of your trip, from the beaches of Benicassim to the Balkan beats of Serbia.

Feature: InterRail yourself around Europe

Nothing in the world is more exciting than some of the independent backpacking circuits of the world. These well-trodden trails are perfect retreats for alternative lifestyle living, short escapades into the unknown, and manic adventures in foreign lands.

Follow Nansen and Amundsen on a Norwegian expedition

Norway is celebrating the Year of Nansen and Amundsen in 2011, as two of the country's most famous explorers will have major anniversaries this year, and you can follow in their footsteps with a range of arctic expeditions from Hurtigruten.

The only European map you'll ever need for just 59p

Skobbler, the offline map specialist, has announced that its comprehensive ForeverMap 2.0 is being offered in the iTunes app store for just 59p for a limited time, meaning you'll never get lost on your European gap year adventure.

Find your nearest beach anywhere in Europe

Sun worshippers on a European tour can track down their nearest beach in seconds, thanks to the new iPhone app from online travel agent On the Beach. The Beach Locator can point you in the direction of the nearest sandy haven, with more than 1,000 Continental spots listed.

Free iPhone city guides for stranded travellers

If the snow has left you stuck in Europe, or if you're just planning a continental tour in the New Year, then you'll be glad to learn that Lonely Planet is offering a 48-hour city guide app giveaway from 1pm today (December 21).

Lonely Planet launches Android app sale

Get the ultimate guide to your gap year destination on your Google Android phone this December for just $0.99 (£0.64) with the Compass City Guide app sale from Lonely Planet. Hi-tech travellers can pick up augmented reality guides to 25 worldwide cities for this low price until Christmas Day.

Cheap campsite offers for European backpackers

If you're planning on heading round Europe in 2011 with your world on your back, then you'll be glad to know that the Camping and Caravanning Club's worldwide travel service, Carefree has reduced its site fee prices on all of its European sites for 2011.

Get your 2011 gap year off to a cheap start

If you're planning a European tour on a budget for 2011, then Ryanair can help kick start your year with a super-low cost flight sale, which starts at midnight tonight, including 500,000 tickets available for just £3.

Make sure you know the snow this winter

With snow falling across the UK, many Brits will be itching for some piste action, and you can find the best resorts with the Ski Club's snow reports, which offer the definitive guide to conditions at several resorts in Europe and North America.

Don't let drink-skiing ruin your gap year

Young skiers overseas this winter are advised to keep the Après-Ski revelry off the slopes, despite the temptation to show off with a spot of late-night drunken skiing or snowboarding.

Get European inspiration with UTracks' new brochure

Take the road less travelled on your active European tour and find the hidden secrets that most tourists miss, with the new brochure from UTracks, which features 30 new trips from Sweden to Montenegro.

Win a £650 tour with Toucan Travel

Pick up a copy of the new 2011/12 Toucan Tours brochure at your local travel agents to be in with a chance of winning a £650 prize. The new brochure includes Eastern delights in Moscow and Budapest, as well as Africa adventures.

The ultimate ice thrill on your European ski season

Hurl yourself down three-quarters of ice for the most extreme thrill in Switzerland, at the Cresta run in St Moritz. This route is so slippery that you can only go down it on a toboggan and sorry ladies, but it's strictly men only.

World's worst pickpocket cities revealed

If you want to avoid being pick pocketed on your gap year (and chances are you do), then leaving Europe is probably your best bet. Despite the reputation for theft and crime that some parts of Asia can have, the top ten cities in the world for pick pocketing are all European, according to this year's TripAdvisor Pickpocket Index.

Travel the world for free with Finnair

What makes a great gap year? Seeing exotic places? Staying in luxury? Building up work experience? Finnair can combine all three with their new competition to find four Quality Hunters to track down the best the globe has to offer.