Backgrounders Discovering Europe s creative hotspots Shopping off the beaten track There s more to shopping in Europe than the designer brands on Champs-Élysées
Hungary Design Sunday Sundays in Budapest are a design-lovers paradise. Original and trendy clothes, toys, furniture, ornaments, ceramics or recyclable objects can be found in abundance at the Hungarian design market WAMP. Held once a month in the Milenaris Park, in Budapest, the Sunday fair is an opportunity for a wealth of young designers to showcase their work for the first time. Réka Matheidesz was one of the WAMP s founders back in 2006. Her professional path was far from being connected to design, as she was engaged in the business management field. Willing to embrace new challenges, the Hungarian businesswoman believes that WAMP is a great chance for young designers to present their collections, especially at the beginning of their careers when it s not always easy to open their own boutiques. To make design accessible for all is the main goal behind the project, which gathers together around 120 emerging designers. It is a place where tourists, expats, locals and artists can all expect to be inspired. For all kinds of visitors, Sundays may never be the same again!
Belgium The city that breathes fashion The Nationale straat, or National Street, in historic Antwerp, is the epicentre of the Flemish fashion scene, and one of Europe s most prominent fashion districts. With a Fashion Museum (MOMU) and the renowned fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, located on National Street, Antwerp is a city displaying a unique and trendy fashion vibe at every turn. Top Belgian designers, such as Ann Demeulemeester, Dries van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Martin Margiela, and Raf Simons all have their boutiques on the street. And fashion students can often be found here too modeling their own creations and inimitable styles. The street is at the forefront of trend-setting in this corner of Europe and an inspiration for all dedicated followers of fashion, tourists and locals alike.
United Kingdom The sound of the underground Music, clothes, vintage goods, cakes and tea. If you re looking for a place where alternative fashion tastes blend seamlessly with cozy cafés and music shops, the Northern Quarter in Manchester is the place to head for. Oldham Street is full of vintage and second-hand shops, and the adjoining side streets contain a whole host of hidden gems for savvy shoppers. Wandering around this area, you ll notice the hectic rhythm of a DJ set and an array of vinyl shops waiting to be explored. And after all that shopping, you ll need to relax over a soothing cup of English tea at one of the area s numerous cafes. Or perhaps the night is still young? According to the Manchester AfterDark guide, the Northern Quarter has become the heartbeat of the city s music and independent fashion scene, with the area boasting a highly concentrated record shopping experience. The neighborhood is also home to creative industries and concept stores with a special emphasis on fashion designers shops and fashion agencies. So go on, dare to be different on your visit to Manchester!
Denmark Bye, bye cars hello fruit Contemplating what could be done with a boring grey parking lot, architect Hans Peter Hagens had a creative idea: to turn it into an organic food market. Little did he know that this was going to become the new hype on Copenhagen s food market scene. He proposed the concept to the Municipality of Copenhagen back in 1997 and travelled all around the world to study other examples. The market finally opened its doors in September 2011, quickly receiving rave reviews from visitors. Nowadays, among the counters selling fresh seafood, visitors also find specialty stalls featuring artisanal Danish produce, such as organic honey made by the rare brown bees of the island of Læsø. Grabbing a coffee made by top-grade baristas using the ultimate handbuilt espresso gizmos is another possibility. But what really gives the place its foodie credentials is a tented stall on the market square with a sign reading Vildnis (Wilderness). Here, Danish filmmaker Lene Eilersen sells her herbs that have been foraged from Danish woodlands and beaches the very same type of produce that has made Copenhagen s restaurant Noma world famous. VisitDenmark
VisitLuxembourg Luxembourg Streets of luxury The upper town of Luxembourg city is a byword for luxury. Locals and visitors wandering around Grand-Rue and Rue Philippe II enter a shopping utopia. Stroll through the famous designer boutiques and gourmet shops and you will see Europe at its best. The city s upper town shopping area often hosts cultural and sports events, such as late-opening museum nights, a marathon, jazz concerts and a selection of large fairs. The biggest and most famous of these is the Schueberfouer, an annual fair founded by John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, as long ago as 1340. Taking place in Glacis car park in Limpertsberg between August and September, the fair includes more than 50 restaurant stands, but is mainly known for the iconic attractions such as the ferris wheel, rollercoaster and rides. So why not discover both your decadent and adventurous sides in Luxembourg?
Estonia A medieval guild The artists hosted in St Catherine s passage in the medieval part of Tallinn s old town are united by a guild. But they have not sworn eternal loyalty to each other, but to you: the so-called Katariina Guild is the idea that visitors should be able to witness the processes behind each artisan s creations. Wandering along cobbled streets, visitors can observe work first-hand in the artists studios, showcasing an array of textiles, ceramics, millenary, fine leatherwork, patchwork, jewelry and hot glass. The buildings along St Catherine s passage date from the 15th and 17th centuries, creating a bridge between the past and the present. The passage was restored and reopened in 1995, preserving and celebrating Tallinn s medieval atmosphere. VisitDenmark
Portugal Explore the contrasts and lose track of time Lisbon is a city of contrasts. It can be elegant and fashionable, glamorous and alternative. You can encounter tradition, but also find the latest modern trends. In Lisbon, the so-called city of the seven hills, you ll inevitably stumble across the Chiado district, the city s most well-known shopping area. The place has history in abundance in its buildings, cafés and old bookshops. Chiado s story cannot be told without mentioning the 1988 fire that destroyed several buildings, notably Armazéns do Chiado (a famous commercial house). But with the vision of Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, among other luminaries, the area regained its previous glory. Through Siza Vieira s project, it was possible to restore many of the buildings and to preserve the style of the facades. The elegant street Rua Garrett still retains much of its original architecture and all the charm of the 19th century, hosting chic, world-renowned designer boutiques at every turn. So take an afternoon to explore Chiado s hidden treasures and allow yourself to lose track of time while exploring all that it has to offer from grand designs and high fashion, to cosy writers cafés and bookshops.
Bulgaria A glimpse into a creative past In the narrow streets in the old town of Veliko Tarnovo, craftsmen still practice their trades. Artisans such as blacksmiths, potters and jewelers are still using techniques from times gone by. But inspiration is also found in the modern world, creating objects in perfect harmony between past and present. Situated in North-Central Bulgaria, relatively few foreign tourists find their way here, but those who do certainly meet face-to-face with history. The buildings housing bookshops, art galleries and antiques take visitors back in time. The houses date back from the Bulgarian National Revival period when the Bulgarian people lived under Ottoman rule. Also known as Bulgarian Renaissance, the period lasted nearly 500 years, ending with the Liberation of Bulgaria in the 19th century. Come and explore the cobbled streets, artisanal products and a rich cultural heritage.