Luxury Hotel Sale Until February 28 2015

WanderLearn with Francis Tapon, author of The Hidden Europe and Hike Own Your Own Hike

What do Budapest, Malta, St. Petersburg, and Lisbon all have in common?

For me, the common thread is that I’ve visited all of them and adore them all.  Here are my quick thoughts on all of them.

Budapest

Lonely Planet once picked it as the best destination in Eastern Europe. Although I’d give that award to nearby Prague, Budapest is a remarkable city separated by the Danube river. It’s romantic and a perfect headquarters for exploring the many cities that surround it!

Malta

St. Georges is ex-British colony and you feel it. Yet Malta manages to blend the Arabic culture, with the European Mediterreanean culture, and with the British culture. It’s a weird and fasinating place. 

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is definitely in my top 10 cities in the world – and I’ve been to 100 countries, so I’ve been to hundreds of cities. It might even make my top 5. It is truly the Venice of the Northern Europe. Much of Russia has kitchy stuff that lacks class. But St. Petersburg is all about class. If you go during the White Nights in mid-June, you’ll fall in love.

Lisbon

I’m from San Francisco, and when I got to Lisbon, I couldn’t understand why its red bridge isn’t as famous as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. From a distance and at night, they look quite similar. They’re a similar color. But perhaps it’s just better marketing by the Californians. 

Whatever the reason, you must see Lisbon before you die. It has charming streets and the water-filled views everywhere you look. 

Sale

For you, you have an opportunity to stay in any of these cities at the luxurious Corinthia Hotel at half the normal price if you book before February 28, 2015!