A couple of weeks ago, our blogs expert, Benji Lanyado, sang the praises of Spotted by Locals - a network of European city blogs written by over 80 local bloggers. Since then they've won the best group authored blog in Lonely Planet's awards and have agreed to keep us in the loop with a monthly update of their favourite tips. Here's the first instalment
1. Stieg Litz 19 Antwerp by Niko Caignie
Hidden in the beautiful belle epoque neighbourhood of Antwerp is a little gallery inside a house. This gallery is owned by a photographic enthusiast who wants to enable young photographers to display their work. He goes around the world to find them and offers them a jump to Europe/Belgium. It felt really strange to just walk up to the door, ring the bell and then enter someone's house to see an exhibition. But it also adds charm and value to the concept. Take your time to look at the displayed work and talk to the friendly owner of the gallery. He can tell you an awful lot about the artists and their work. So keep an eye on the website and whenever there's something that you like, don't hesitate to check it out. It might be a nice activity for a rainy day. It's not big, so you'll be in and out in about 45 minutes.
• Original article. Stieg Litz 19, Arthur Goemarelei 19 Zuid, +32 324 8493. For opening times check website, depending on exhibition.
2. C/O Gallery Berlin by Sarah Curth
The impressive building that has housed the C/O Gallery since 2000 is the ancient imperial post office. Founded by a designer, a photographer and an architect, the gallery has become one of the biggest private art institutions in Berlin with temporary exhibitions of up-and-coming and famous photographers. The showrooms and the halls aren't renovated so the rooms contrast with the exhibits. Take a look at the bathrooms on the first floor where old and new design collides in a very interesting way. Until 24 May, there's a special exhibition: Annie Leibovitz, A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005, a collection of around 200 photographs of large format landscapes, private family photos and small black and white portraits.
• Original article. C/O Gallery, Postfuhramt, Oranienburger Strasse/Tucholskystrasse, 10117 Berlin. Phone + 49 30 28 09 19 25, . Daily 11am to 8pm. Admission: €10, reduced €5.
3. La Ardosa, Madrid, by Nikko Hinderstein
Just off of busy Fuencarral, La Ardosa has a pleasant jazzy atmosphere. The bar is packed with paraphernalia dating back to 1892 when it was founded - a picture of the owner's family, famous people who have stopped in over the years, and reprints of Goya's "Caprichos" prints (silly, sometimes vulgar whimsical images). They serve some of my favourite tapas; sliced ham from pigs that have only eaten acorns (Jamon de bellota), dried tuna (Mojama - tuna jerky!), and a thick version of gazpacho called Salmorejo. The "raciones" are big here, so you can ask for a "media-ración" instead of a full plate. The drink menu is extensive as well, white wines, red wines, vermouth and various imported beers. If the bar looks full from the street, push through the crowd, duck under the bar, and try the back room which is not accessible any other way.
• Original article. La Ardosa, Calle Colon 13, Chueca & Malasaña, +34 915 214 979. Open daily 8:30am - 2:30am, August 11:30am - 02:30am daily
4. Cimitero Acattolico Rome by Annalaura D'Errico
If you were Protestant, Jewish, or Christian Orthodox, and happened to die while visiting Rome in the 18th or 19th centuries, chances are you would have been buried in the Cimitero Acattolico near Piramide, aka the Protestant Cemetery. Catholic law prohibited non-Catholics from being buried in Catholic cemeteries. Given that there were growing numbers of Danes, Germans, English, Americans, Russians and Swedes coming to visit, study or live in Rome during in the 1800s, the Cimitero Acattolico became the designated area to bury these 'stranieri'. Now, it is a place where you can get away from it all while contemplating the graves of the great. In what seems like a peaceful garden, just metres away from the bustle of the Piramide area, you will find the tombs of Shelley, Keats, and Gramsci, to name the most famous of the many poets, historians, archaeologists, painters, sculptors, diplomats and intellectuals buried here. For a complete listing, visit the cemetery's website or the information centre.
• Original article. Cimitero Acattolico, Via Caio Cestio 6, Testaccio & Ostiense, + 39 065 741 900, Mon to Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-1pm, €2 donation
5. Basama Prague by Filip Grimm
You may not be familiar with this type of venue - a tearoom where as well as tea you can get shisha, coffee, a variety of oriental sweets and snacks and also regular food and drinks (including beer as this is the Czech Republic). Tearooms are popular in Prague - many people go to them instead of pubs or cafes. Basama is a great place to talk, think, read, write, meet up or just listen to the music - which can be a surprising mix. I remember hearing experimental jazz back to back with the Audio Bullys. The tearoom is run by a friendly elderly pair. WiFi Internet is available. On the menu you can find 90 different kinds of tea and more than 20 different flavours of hookah tobacco. As for the prices, tea costs from 30 to 80 CZK and hookah 90 CZK and 5 CZK for a charcoal.
• Original article. Basama, Sochařská 8, Praha 7 & 8, +42 (0)604666767
Tue - Sun 4pm-10pm
