Tag Archives: Switzerland

Lifestyle |

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Movie Inspired Bars Around the World

Glass of beer in a bar.

With such fierce competition in the food and beverage industry, bars and lounges have had to really step up their game in order to stand out, with many relying on unusual and creative themes, often borrowed from movies. Whether it be an old horror flick or a classic musical, here are some of OROGOLD‘s favorite movie inspired bars around the world.

The Hobbit, Southampton, UK
This Lord of the Rings inspired pub in Southampton, England, may be slightly geeky, but it definitely is popular. With two bars on two levels, a Shire-inspired beer garden, and an extensive menu of themed cocktails and other drinks, Lord of the Rings fans will feel right at home here. If you want to really go all out, OROGOLD recommends trying the Fellowship T-Shirt Quest, which involves drinking each of the 12 cocktails that are named after popular characters, ticking them off on a quest card as you go along. Those who complete the quest are presented with a free t-shirt, as well as the opportunity to sample the limited edition Nazgul cocktail, made up of blackcurrant liqueur, black sambuca and cola.

H.R Giger Bar, Chur and Gruyères, Switzerland
The surreal art of Hans Rudolf Giger will be instantly familiar to any Alien fans out there, and the H. R Giger Bars in Switzerland have been designed by this talented creative himself. Everything about the bars, from their ceilings to the walls to the tables to the floors, are all created in the same biomechanical style that is iconic to the films, with even all of the seats having vertebrae. With added furnishings of props from the films, and extra touches such as the skulls and ribs popping out of the walls, both of these bars are terrifying yet extraordinarily fascinating at the same time.

Lebowski Bar, Reykjavik, Iceland
The Big Lebowski, an American crime comedy movie from 1998, was a huge success, and inspired the Lebowski Bar in Reykjavik, Iceland. The interior of the bar is divided into four different sections; a 50’s diner, a Southern-style porch, a bowling alley, and a 60’s Playboy-esque lounge. Of course, the White Russian is a cocktail that is focussed on, and there are 16 different varieties of this classic drink to choose from, as well as six different milkshakes. With a bar that is made out of rugs, and quotes from the Big Lebowski plastered throughout, this retro American diner is one that will appeal to just about everybody, even those who have never seen the movie.

Movies have served as inspiration for almost every industry out there over the years, from fashion to food. Whether it’s enjoying a Cocoa Puffs White Russian at the Lebowski Bar in Iceland, or sipping on a Gollum cocktail at a quaint English pub in Southampton, these bars, without a doubt, take the movie experience to a whole new level, and should definitely be visited by fans of the movies.

Travel |

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Safest European Cities

Often, a high crime rate can put many people off visiting a particular destination, especially for females who are travelling on their own. To help you better plan your next vacation, OROGOLD takes a look at some of the safest European cities.

Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Amsterdam
Although it may be best known for its hedonistic nightlife, Amsterdam is also one of the safest cities in the world. Thanks to its cycling culture really taking off in recent years, the amount of cars on the road has been reduced, thereby reducing the number of car-related accidents, as well as pollution. The intelligent design of the majority of the city’s urban centers has also led to a low crime rate, and violent crime is practically non-existent. With its high-quality Dutch healthcare system, Amsterdam is also able to rapidly respond to any emergencies that may occur. However, although the Red Light District may be extremely popular, especially in the evenings, OROGOLD advises you to take extra care when you are in the area, as the hordes of tourists and visitors at night can attract quite a few pickpockets, as well as those peddling illegal drugs.

Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona
This seaside Spanish city is one of the safest in Europe when it comes to personal health, as well as safety. Over the years, the city has developed a sophisticated policing strategy, drastically increasing the police presence both on the streets and in the subways. This has led to a 32% reduction in crime over three years. In addition to this, the increase in police presence all over the city has also made the residents, as well as any visitors, feel much safer, especially at night, as they can be sure that they will never be too far away from a patrolling police officer.

Zurich, Switzerland.

Zurich
Being one of the wealthiest cities in the world, Zurich has been able to invest large amounts in urban safety. A well-designed transport service covers the whole city, and all of the streets are well-lit at night. Unlike the majority of other cities, there are no areas that OROGOLD would advise you to avoid, even at night. Zurich also offers excellent universal health coverage, so you can be sure that you will be well taken care of if anything did happen.

Old Town, Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm
Ranked as the safest city in the whole of Europe, Stockholm is not only safe when it comes to personal safety, but also when it comes to digital security. Cyber crime is becoming increasingly common, and cities are having to adapt to keep its residents safe from this – something that Stockholm is doing extremely well. When it comes to urban safety, Stockholm utilizes some of the best technology to tackle crime, as well as to monitor their infrastructure and control the spreading of any diseases.

However safe these European cities would be, OROGOLD still urges you to travel with precaution, as there are no guarantees to your safety anywhere you are in the world. Tourists are especially targeted when it comes to petty crime, so no matter where you go, ensure you always keep your wits about you!