For the past year or so, volcanoes have often been at the forefront of travel news. First Iceland saw their share of disruptive volcanoes affecting parts of Europe, and now South America is getting a …

History, hauntings, Harry Potter…Scotland’s capital has plenty to please travelers of all ages and stripes.

Traveling cheaply for an extended amount of time is not always an easy proposition. Long term budget travel, often referred to as “backpacking,” takes planning, the ability to think on your feet, and, occasionally, the flexibility and confidence to alter your itinerary mid-trip.

Eating is always one of everybody’s favorite activities when traveling–sampling local dishes, discovering regional specialties, and seeking out tucked-away restaurants. Why not take it a step further and take a cooking class in one of the world’s many unique locales? Culinary experiences are not only a lot of fun and let you learn a new skill, they also provide an immersion into the daily lives of the locals and their culture.

Whatever you do, don’t call Schoenbrunn the Versailles of Austria—though that’s basically what it’s been called since its construction. The massive 1,441-room palace, which was built by the Hapsburg Emperor Leopold I from 1696-1712 for his son Josef I, was actually conceived of as a grand project meant to dwarf the massive French chateau of Louis XIV, but the Austrian Treasury ran short of funds and the original plans for the palace outside Vienna were never completed.

About an hour northwest along the Danube from Vienna lies one of the most scenic, romantic regions in Europe—renowned not only for its beautiful castle ruins and picturesque towns, but also for its world-class wines. The area is called the Wachau, and Austrians and tourists alike flock to its leafy byways to admire its natural wonders and epicurean delights.

Most visitors know Vienna for its imposing boulevards, classical music history, and heavy traditional cuisine. But this grand capital has once again become the crossroads of Europe, with a thriving economy, a vibrant arts community, and a cosmopolitan culinary scene. Here are a few reasons to get reacquainted with the Imperial City.

South Kensington is one of the largest historic districts in London and home to several stylish retail stores, four world-renowned museums and a handful of eateries. South Kensington encompasses Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, as well as the Royal Parks area that include Chelsea, Earl’s Court and Sloane Square.

Set on the southern coast of Spain, yet clinging to a language and culture all its own, Barcelona is a city with one foot firmly rooted in the past and the other planted jubilantly in the modern world. It’s a study in contrasts; it’s definitely Spanish yet is the capital of Catalonia, a region with its own character and a language spoken by only nine million people. Many Catalonians consider it a separate country from Spain

Barcelona has pioneered the introduction of sports to Spain since the end of the 19th century. This tradition has given the city a legacy of sporting clubs, some of which are a century old and enjoy great international prestige. The city leapt onto the collective international consciousness with the 1992 Olympic Games, but for the people who live here, sports are just a way of life.