2. The traveller’s need to exercise while on holiday
can be seen in the state-of-the-art fitness
centres and gym facilities that are now available
at virtually every Caribbean resort and cruise
ship sailing the seven seas. But what if you’re
touring Europe and Britain? This article will help
you find fun ways to keep active and keep fit
while seeing all the sites in your favourite cities
in Europe and Britain.
Skate London
It’s easy to burn calories touring the city of
London, one of the great walking capitals of the
world. The west end attracts locals and tourists
alike with its rich tapestry of shops, cafes,
restaurants, markets, boutiques and a wide
array of entertainment centers. Covent Garden
is a great starting point for any walking tour as
it’s within a short hike from the Royal Opera
House, the London Coliseum, Somerset House,
the National Gallery, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester
Square and Trafalgar Square. One can easily
burn up kilometers and calories on a dry day
exploring the streets and alleyways of Soho;
the one-time Bohemian quarter that has since
become home to the glamour industry.
On rainy days, and there are no shortage of
those in London, you may want to exercise your
mind and your body indoors by exploring the
world renowned British Museum. If you were
to walk the entire length of galleries you’d cover
2.5 miles; not bad for a day indoors. You’ll also
take in many of the world’s most prized riches,
as eleven civilizations are represented with
these walls. This is the oldest Museum in the
world and it is beyond compare for the breadth
and value of its treasures. While you can easily
spend a day or more exploring, if you only have
a few hours there are a few exhibits that should
not be missed.
Among its most prized—and controversial—
possessions, the British Museum maintains the
so-called Elgin marbles, which were liberated
from their home in Athens’ Parthenon by Lord
Elgin in 1816. There has been considerable
debate in recent years as to whether these
sculptures should be returned to Greece, though
many scholars would agree that they were
undoubtedly much safer in their current home
than if they’d been left in their natural dwelling
place. You will also not want to miss the Rosetta
Stone, the Black Obelisk, the Lindow Bog Man,
the statue of Rameses II, some of the Dead Sea
Scrolls and the collection of mummies.
Another great way to see the city and meet
like-minded people while in London is through
a city skate. Several local companies provide
roller blade rentals, lessons and group skates
throughout the city. Popular skating locales
include Hyde Park and Kensington Garden, right
in the city centre. Groups of mostly locals, but a
few adventurous tourists, will converge on Hyde
Park every Sunday afternoon for a comfortable
“roller stroll.” Of course, roller blading is not just
a daytime activity. London is home to several
roller discos with popular DJ’s spinning both
retro roller music and new pop and funk.
Useful links:
www.citiskate.com
www.easyjetinflight.com
www.rollerdisco.info
Bike Paris
Paris is another great walking city with its
broad, tree-lined boulevards, large parks and
squares; the Eiffel Tower and River Seine
provide a constant bearing for the unfamiliar
visitor. Almost all of the sites of interest to
the first time traveller are accessible within a
relatively compressed geographic area. Paris
is equally beautiful by day or by night, but a
nocturnal journey will unveil the true City of
Light, which lives up entirely to its billing.
The Eiffel Tower may be the most iconic
monument of the city; Notre Dame Cathedral
is the most storied and the most impressive.
Almost 200 years in the making, this imposing
temple was finally completed in 1345. Adorned
with immense stained glass windows and
impish gargoyles perched from its gothic spire,
the Cathedral bears strong testament to the
painstaking care that went into its construction.
If you ascend the almost 400 steps to the
top of the north tower, you’ll be afforded a
breathtaking view of this spectacular city.
The Louvre, at one time a fortress and later
a royal palace, is today one of the grandest
and most famous museums in the world.
The Museum itself, with its grand archways,
shimmering domes, marble statues and
columns, could be a museum piece in its own
right. Full time residents of La Louvre include
the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo,
Rameses II, Madonna of the Rocks, and so
much more.
Of course, your visit to Paris would not
be complete without a visit to the city’s most
famed sites: the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de
Triomphe. Built for the Paris Exhibition of 1889,
the Eiffel Tower would not likely be around
today if not for the fact that it saw service as a
military radio tower after the Exhibition. In fact,
plans for its dismantling were well in the works,
due in no small part to the great opposition
of such outspoken opponents as Alexandre
Dumas and Guy de Maupassant. The Arc de
Triomphe, which stands proudly at the foot of
the Champs Elysees, was begun by Napoleon
as a tribute to his military victories, but was not
completed until after his death.
About five minutes from the Eiffel Tower
is Fat Bike Tours, an American owned and
operated bicycle rental and tour company that
allows you to burn some calories while exploring
the outer reaches of Paris and the countryside.
Easy ways to stay
(or get) in shape
on your European Holiday
Article by Brand Street Communications
Groups of mostly locals,
but a few adventurous
tourists, converge on Hyde
Park for a comfortable
“roller stroll.”
Health Watch:
• Online skating tones your legs, buttocks, back
and shoulders.
• Burn up to 350 calories every 30 minutes
• Great cardio workout
• Low impact on knees and joints
spring 2007 11
3. 12 Ensemble Vacations®
Jog Barcelona
Barcelona is easily among the most beautiful
and captivating cities in all of Europe. Skirted by
the rich, indigo seas of the Mediterranean, this
cosmopolitan centre dazzles and delights its
visitors with a winning combination of ancient
ruins, gothic cathedrals and modern hotels,
restaurants and clubs.
Whether you jog or walk, you’ll want to be
sure to take in the mile long promenade that is
La Rambla de Barcelona. This is the city’s main
street, and it is a pleasure for all of the senses.
Vibrant and multi-hued flower stalls paint the
street corners with fresh and vivid splashes
of vermilion, periwinkle and sunflower yellow.
Street performers vie for your attention with
feats of dexterity while couples dance and sway
to the offerings of local musicians. Colourful
birds swoop and squawk through the trees. The
sweet aroma of grilled seafood wafts through
the air and lures you into one of the many open
air cafes for a glass of sangria and light meal.
Barcelona was home to the great visionary
and architect, Antoni Gaudi, and his greatest
achievement, La Sagrada Familia, though it
remains unfinished, stands proudly at the base
of Avinguda de Gaudi. Inspired by the great
gothic cathedrals of France and Germany, this
soaring masterpiece, designed to incorporate
twelve towers—one for each of the apostles,
and one central spire, towering over all and
representing Christ—contains a complexity
and level of detail seldom imagined. Biblical in
inspiration and epic in design, modern architects
continue to labour to bring his vision to life, a
task that is scheduled for completion within
the next 40 years. Other beautiful examples of
Gaudi’s mastery are scattered throughout the
city and include the breathtaking Casa Batllo,
Casa Mila and the awe-inspiring Parc Guell.
Parc Guell, while a fabulous spot for a
leisurely stroll, provides a challenging jog with
some relatively steep hills to really get the
heart-rate up. Along the way you’ll be rewarded
with simply amazing stone structures, beautiful
tiling, unusual structures and, when you reach
the top of the hill, an astonishing view of the
entire park and city: if the jog doesn’t make you
breathless, the scenery will. For more trails
and less Gaudi, check out the Ciutadella Park:
waterfalls, open green spaces, well shaded and
lots of soft grass for resting.
Other sights worth exploring are the
Picasso Museum and the Aquarium. Pablo
Picasso spent much of his youth in Barcelona
and a vast collection of his earliest, formative
works are housed at the Museum, including
early sketches, portraits of family member, a
variety of landscapes and shades of his Blue
Period. No art enthusiast will want to miss this
opportunity to see the birth of an artist captured
on canvas in such a compelling display. Close
to the port you’ll find the Aquarium, the largest
in all of Europe, which showcases over 8,000
varieties of sea life. Its star performers include
Moray eels, sharks and seahorses; this is great
fun for all ages.
Near the Aquarium, stretching for four
kilometres along the shore and beautiful soft
sand beach, is a wonderfully scenic path ideal
for jogging, biking and inline skating. When
you’re overheated from the jog, simply take a
refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters of the
Mediterranean. For shear views and increased
heart rate, a jog along the 1.3 kilometre trail that
encircles the base of the Montuic Mountain
can’t be beat. The fragrance of fresh pine forest
and the crisp scent of the Mediterranean Sea
accompany you along the way, and the path
ends at La Caseta Migdia; here you can enjoy a
refreshing and well-earned cocktail with one of
the finest views in the Mediterranean.
Hike Dublin
Ireland is consummate hiking and biking
territory. The scenery, landscape, climate and
very pace of the country commands a pastoral
approach to the land. Before we get into hiking
details, it’s important that some of Dublin’s
urban gems are uncovered.
It would seem that visiting Dublin without
touring the Guinness Brewery would be like
visiting Greece and overlooking the Parthenon,
or spending a week in Paris and snubbing the
Eiffel Tower. Even if you’re not a beer lover,
the experience of visiting this, Europe’s oldest
brewery, is well worth the time. For those with
an appreciation for a fine, rich dark stout, this
will be as close to a religious experience that
you can have outside of Westminster Cathedral.
On that note, the Jameson Distillery and any
one of Dublin’s over 1,000 pubs is worth a stop.
For some, shopping is a work-out, and in
that regard Dublin approaches an Olympic-level
event. From Henry Street to O’Connell Street
you’ll find a veritable treasure trove of shops
and boutiques spilling over with leather goods,
fine linens, knitwear, Waterford glass and
priceless antiques to adorn your home back in
Canada. Along the streets you’ll undoubtedly
encounter a busker or two, offering up a skilled
performance for the price of a half a pint. The
city can prove to be a great work-out for your
credit cards as well.
Dublin is an historic city and you would not
be doing the city justice if you didn’t include
some of its more famous historic buildings
and monuments in your itinerary. Starting with
Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest institution of
higher education is as noteworthy for some
of its former students as it is for its extensive
grounds and handsome features. Bram Stoker,
Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Jonathan Swift
and Thomas More are counted among the
school’s more prominent alumni. The National
Gallery of Ireland, the National Museum, the
Huguenot Cemetery, Christ Church Cathedral,
Leister House and the Church of the Holy Trinity
will be on any complete must-see list.
Commencing from Dublin’s southern
suburb of Rathfarnham is 132 kilometres of
trails known as the Wicklow Way. Wicklow is
dubbed the Garden of Ireland, and you’ll soon
discover why. Winding through some wild and
scenic mountain landscape, rolling hills, forest
trails and parkland, this route raises the curtain
on some of the Emerald Isle’s most picturesque
Health Watch:
• Bicycling can burn over 1,000 calories in an hour
• Bicycling is an effective and enjoyable form of
aerobic exercise
• Riding a bike can help you maintain
a healthy weight
Health Watch:
• Jogging makes the heart stronger and
increases the capacity of the blood circulation
• Jogging speeds up the digestive system and
alleviates digestive trouble
• You can burn 100-200 calories in a half-hour
jogging session
• Jogging will strengthens the muscles of the
legs, hips and back
4. spring 2007 13
scenery. Plan eight to ten days to complete the
entire trail which, in addition to gorgeous fresh
water lakes, historic monuments, stunning terrain
and assorted wild flowers, you’ll find affordable
accommodation and refreshment stops along the
way. At a brisk pace, an average person will burn
over 350 calories each hour: This calls for a pint!
Useful Links:
www.wicklowway.com
www.walkingwicklow.com
Stroll Amsterdam
The first thing you’ll notice about
Amsterdam is the huge volume of bike
traffic. Amsterdam is a cycling city and
there are conveniently situated bike rental
outlets at every other corner. Whereas in
North America you’ll see three and four
story parking garages for cars, in Amsterdam
you’ll find great, sprawling garages
dedicated entirely for bikes.
As much as Amsterdam is a cycling
centre, it’s equally inviting for long, leisurely
strolls and some local companies have made
this experience enjoyable, entertaining and
enlightening. You can experience a walk through
Amsterdam with Rembrandt, who comes to life
through a downloadable MP3 file which can be
loaded into your MP3 player for an unforgettable
stroll through this storied city. This audiowalk
commences at the Rembrandthouse, a site well
worth a visit, and guides you along the Weigh,
the Old Church, the Palace on Dam Square and
Waterloo Square. This comfortable walk lasts
just over an hour and can burn upwards of 200
calories at a moderate pace. Similar tours of the
entire city are also available for download.
Be sure to take time to see the house of Anne
Frank, one of Amsterdam’s most popular tourist
attractions and one that will be sure to stir your
heart. The Albert Cuypmarket, half a mile long
and loaded with every type of snack, bootlegged
CD’s, local artwork, crafts, clothing and more
is a riot of colour and activity and should not be
missed. The van Gogh Museum will thrill art
enthusiasts and anyone with an appreciation for
great beauty. Plan at least half a day for this stop.
Does Amsterdam’s red light district need
any introduction? While not for everyone, the
“Rosse Buurt” is not an area of the city to be
avoided. Bordered by a canal, this section of
Amsterdam is lined with a variety of coffee
shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, bakeries
and, of course, bawdy houses. What you
may find most extraordinary, as a North
American, is how very un-extraordinary this
section of the town is. There are no signs
or indications that you are entering the red
light district; you are suddenly just there. No
photos are permitted here, so you can leave
your camera in the room.
Useful Links:
www.iaudiowalk.com
www.audiosnacks.com
