Pardon Barton?

Joey Barton was once thought of as a thug, a brute and a disgrace to English football. But he has been enjoying better press of late, having spent the last season on loan in sunnier climes. Joey Barton has reinvented himself in Europe's Capital of Culture - Marseille. He's been enjoying a very stylish holiday (a working one) in the wonderful city in the South of France.

Criminal proceedings, fines by the Football Association and even brawls with teammates resulting in hefty fines and bans by his own clubs has seen Joey Barton earn a reputation in the English game as a bit of a thug. He has attended anger management courses, but always seems to relapse. Red cards, prison sentences and very public criticisms of his clubs Manchester City, Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers have seen Barton become a sort of hot potato jumping between mid-table Premier League clubs.

In the final match of the 2011-2012 Premier League season, Barton was sent off after lashing out at a Manchester City player. He had another go before leaving the field and nearly sparked a brawl. QPR went on to take a surprising lead against City, who had to win to become Champions - Barton's sending off might have been a factor in City's last minute comeback to snatch the title from local rivals Manchester United on goal  difference. Barton picked up a 12 match ban.

So what did QPR do with their hot-headed midfielder? The same his previous clubs had done - offload him. Barton joined French Ligue 1 side Marseille on loan, and the culture of the south of France seems to have brought out the gentleman in him.

It took only one match for Barton to pick up the accent. He was seeming more refined already.

His football became more classy too. He scored directly from a corner in the 2-2 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach, his only goal in 29 appearances. He also did not pick up a trademark red card whilst at the French club. The controversy did not completely end though, with Barton continuing to cause a stir on Twitter, with criticisms of fellow players which led to investigations by the French League's ethics committee. Barton also claimed that he only joined QPR for the money, and that he would not return to his parent club after his loan spell at Marseille ended. He has expressed a desire to stay with the French club - something many English football fans might be happy about and perhaps a sign of a once brutal player turning over a new leaf.

So if Marseille can draw the class from a man once described as England's "dirtiest footballer", can you imagine what it could do for normal folk like us? The culture is seemingly infectious in the French city and, if Barton is anything to go by, something that you won't want to leave.

Marseille's museums, exhibitions and cultural attractions will remain long after the title of European Capital of Culture is given to another city at the end of 2013. The beautiful city will continue to offer an amazing cultural experience and an extraordinarily stylish stay. If Joey Barton can reinvent himself here, can't you?

Enjoy your own cultural rebirth in Marseille, with the Trippa Marseille travel app. Showing you the very best that the city has to offer, you'll find everything you need for a luxurious stay in France's second city. Download the app here!

Photo credit: Renanda Filipus

Trippa Reykjavik is here!

It's here! Trippa Reykjavik is now available from the App Store!

With more content and more features than any other premium guide, we have no doubts that Trippa Reykjavik is the only travel guide you'll need to enjoy a relaxing and stylish stay in Iceland's capital. Trippa Reykjavik has more high-quality, free content than any other guide, written by experts who have sought out the best places to stay, the best restaurants to try and the best sights to see.

We spent days in the city finding the very best it has to offer, and compiled a list of the most beautiful, fun and classy places to make your stay as luxurious as possible. With the trendiest bars and the unique local stores listed for you to seek out something special, our Reykjavik guide will show you around the city for the trip of a lifetime.

Not only does the app deliver excellent content about the best spots in the Icelandic capital, but the app includes a handy language guide, beautiful photographs of Iceland's stunning scenery, high-quality, accurate maps to help you find your way around, and real-time weather information for the days ahead.

With dramatic natural beauty combined with one of Europe's trendiest urban scenes perched on the very edge of the Old World, Reykjavik is a city which will fill you with wonder and a staff favourite in our destinations! It would be easy to lose your way in such an amazing city, but Trippa Reykjavik will be there to help you find your way around.

Written and built by people who know their Gullfoss from their Geysir, and know the inlets and islands of Iceland's capital city intimately, Trippa Reykjavik is the all-in-one downloadable city guide that will make yours the trip of a lifetime.

A beautiful new app design sees simple, easy-to-use UI, a lovely new colour scheme so you know which part of the app you're looking at, new, intelligent UX features which make the whole thing a pleasure to use and simple, useful, informative content that shows you around the city like a good friend who's been there before.

We're really pleased that we can finally show you around the best places in one of Europe's most fascinating cities. Download the Trippa Reykjavik app here and enjoy a luxurious stay in Iceland's magnificent capital!

Look out for Trippa Oslo - Coming Soon!

We've just finished writing content for a new addition to our travel destinations - Oslo! The Norwegian capital is a beautiful city with lots to see and do, and we've found the very best in shopping, eating and sleeping to make sure your stay is as stylish as possible!

The Tiger City, as it is known in Norway, is thriving with good food and good design - the latter typically Scandinavian. With cool design at the heart of nearly every shop and many bars and restaurants, as well as a boom in new architecture in a city full of interesting and beautiful old buildings too, lovers of aesthetics will be amazed at what Oslo has to offer.

Perhaps best known to the world as the city which plays host to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, there is a distinctly fraternal feel to Oslo, which embraces the label of a truly European city and revels in a multinational, global community.

With so much to see during the day and a relatively quiet nightlife (perfect for people who don't enjoy anything over the top when the sun's gone down) Oslo is a family friendly and relaxing destination.

Like all the Trippa travel apps, the Oslo edition has been developed in-house here at Tradebox Media. We're sad to have finished researching and writing about some awesome places, and finding out about the wonderful city of Oslo, but we think we've picked the very best in bars, restaurants, hotels, sites and shops and combined it with useful transport information to give you the very best experience of Oslo possible. Your holiday will be more than just a city break - we've worked hard to ensure that you travel in style.

With every closing door, one will surely open. Once we've completed the Oslo app and have it live, we'll be able to start on a new city! Were very excited - where will we go next?

Photo Credit: dalbera

Fancy a Drink?

When you're seeing the sights of a foreign land, especially in sunnier climes, a cool drink can be the difference between a day out and a real experience. In our travels, we have discovered some of the most spectacular bars offering sensational local beverages that will excite your taste buds no end. Here are a few of our favourites from our destinations.

Cardiff - Bunkhouse

A ridiculously cool, kooky bar right in the centre of Cardiff. A backpacker's hostel, guest get 10% off at the bar. But it is open to the public too, and offers a perfect mix of Welsh drinks with the flair of European style which comes from it's international clientele.

Download our Cardiff Guide here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/cardiff-travel-guide/id531822521?mt=8

Palma - Ginbo

Ginbo is one of Palma's most stylish bars and serves the finest gins in the world. A modern Gin Palace in every respect, the spirit of choice is celebrated in the best cocktails to be found on the island of Mallorca.

Download our Palma Guide here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/palma-guide/id557885464?mt=8

Marseille - Le Crystal

Situated on Marseille's quayside, Le Crystal is one of the French city's most fashionable bars, serving food and drinks including the best mojito in the city. Known for it's retro decor, it is a great spot for a nightcap with a view of the port, especially from its heated winter terrace.

Download our Marseille Guide here: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/marseille-guide/id548038554?mt=8

Athens - A for Athens

The rooftop cocktail bar at the A is for Athens hotel provides stunning views of the Acropolis. The urban rooftop terrace is the perfect place to indulge in a little al fresca dining, but the place really lights up later at night. The lights of the city provide the perfect backdrop for a drink with a view.

Download our Athens Guide here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/athens-guide/id561496857?mt=8

Take a trip to one of these beautiful bars with Trippa. It could make the difference between a short break and the holiday of a lifetime.

Images courtesy of bunkhousecardiff.co.uk, ginbo.es and aforathens.com

Cardiff's First Annual Walking Festival

This week sees the very first annual Cardiff Walking Festival - a week-long programme of events based on walking and hiking, aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle. Yet another reason to take a trip to one of Europe's most up-and-coming cities!

Cardiff Council have partnered with Ramblers Cymru to host events throughout the week, with fun for all the family planned through children's events, led walks and nature trails. 

Cllr Huw Thomas, Cardiff's Council Member for Sport, Leisure and Tourism, said “This festival is a fantastic way to promote the variety of organisations and community groups who offer walks in Cardiff on a regular basis whether it is for enjoyment, active travel, exercise or general health and well-being.

“The week long event will have something for everyone including guided historical walks, Tenovus charity’s Goodnight Walk event, buggy walks for young families, Cardiff Ramblers’ organised walks and much more. Cardiff is a city with many green spaces and parks which are perfect for exploring, and I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Big Welsh Walk on Saturday morning.”

Organised by the Outdoor Cardiff Partnership, which includes Cardiff Council, Cardiff Harbour Authority, Ramblers Cymru and Let’s Walk Cymru, the festival will encourage the people of Cardiff and visitors to the wonderful Welsh capital to get out and walk. Perfectly timed to take place just as Cardiff starts to brighten up for summer, the events will take place in some of the city's most beautiful scenic locations, with the officaial opening and first day's events located in the magnificent Bute Park, in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. 

The event takes advantage of everything Cardiff has to offer - stunning scenery, vast green spaces next to a thriving, clean urban centre and the beautiful sunshine which the city enjoys at this tme of year. Why not come for a visit?