|
When one thinks of Amsterdam, one often
pictures tree-lined canals, bicycles, and crooked old houses
jammed together. These are all accurate perceptions, but yet
there is so much more to this quintessential Dutch city (and
we are not just talking about the unique teahouses). Pay a
visit to the famous Rijksmuseum, jam-packed with Old Masters,
or spend a few hours in the Van Gogh Museum.
 A
bustling city with its own unique essence, Barcelona is a
favorite of many. Famous for the one-of-a-kind Sagrada Familia
church designed by Antonio Gaudi, and Las Ramblas, a lively
pedestrian promenade, you’ll also find great food, gothic
architecture, energetic nightlife, and loads of art and history,
which you can explore at the many museums in town.
The site of much strife over the years,
Berlin remains an energetic and artsy town. Most traces of
the wall separating East Berlin from West Berlin have been
removed, however, you can still travel through the Brandenburg
Gate, which has been standing since 1791, or visit the Checkpoint
Charlie museum. Or soak up the ambience while enjoying a coffee
at one of the many trendy café-bars.
Both French and Flemish are official languages
of this stylish city. We suggest you make a stop at The Grand
Place, a splendid town square surrounded by fun sidewalk cafes,
classic cellar restaurants, Flemish guildhouses, and the gothic
Town Hall. Then take a stroll down the narrow and cobbled
Butchers Street, where restaurants of all sorts will tantalize
your senses.
Cadiz is the gateway to Seville, home
to bullfights, flamenco dancers, impressive monuments, and
colorful parks and gardens. It’s also the city where
you’ll find the largest cathedral in the world (at least
according to the Guinness Book of World Records), and the
Alcázar, a magnificent Moorish palace.
Rome is a fascinating city filled with
art, culture, and life. It was home to such great masters
as Michelangelo, and Da Vinci, and many of their works of
art remain there today. You will also enjoy the multitude
of interesting structures: ancient ruins, fountains, forums,
and the Pantheon. And of course, the Vatican!
Remember Hans Christian Anderson? His
famous Little Mermaid statue will greet you with her sweet
smile as you enter the Copenhagen harbor. This former Viking
fishing village is the Capital of Denmark and has much to
offer – castles, palaces, the Tivoli Gardens, and of
course, great shopping on the longest pedestrian mall in the
world, the Strøget!
There is much more to Dublin than Guinness
Beer. You’ll find a vibrant cultural community here,
including music, film, theater, dance, and art. And also plenty
of great shops, and friendly Dubliners speaking English with
lilting Irish tones. Admire the Georgian buildings, and pay
a visit to Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells,
over 1,200 years old, and filled with colorful illustrations.
The scene you will most remember about
this wild Scottish city is dramatic and ancient Edinburgh
Castle, perched on a mountaintop right in the middle of town.
The castle is a romantic reminder of Scotland’s medieval
past, and a good landmark, too! You’ll also enjoy a
pleasing array of architectural styles, people, and a vibrant
city scene.
Glasgow is a very Scottish city with strong
cultural roots and friendly city dwellers. The famous Burrell
Collection resides here, and includes an unusually varied
breadth of art ranging from Renoir to medieval furniture.
Not surprisingly, there is an active arts and music scene,
in addition to the expected restaurants, pubs, and bars.
A bustling seaport, Hamburg is Germany’s
second largest city, and largest media center. Visitors will
find it charming and apt representative of this historically
important country. Enjoy the scenic parks and canals, and
the renovated historic area. The fabulous St. Michaelis church
has become the city’s emblem, even though St Petri,
dating back to the 12th century, is Hamburg’s oldest
church.
Helsinki is a smaller, cosmopolitan city
that is a lively blend of Finnish, Swedish, and Russian cultures.
You may recognize the charming mermaid statue just west of
the vibrant fish market, and the Temppeliaukio Church hewn
from solid rock. Helsinki also sports a world-class contemporary
art museum, and is great for recreation, as over one-quarter
of this very clean city is parks.
If the most rugged, romantic and remote
of landscapes appeals to you, don’t pass up a visit
to Inverness, the capital of Britain’s famous Highlands,
also the home to the fabled Loch Ness Monster. Fancy a bit
of Shakespearian history? Put on your kilt and pay a call
on Cawder Castle, where King Duncan was murdered in MacBeth.
Kirkwall is part of the Orkney Islands,
located just off the north coast of Scotland. Tour St Magnus,
its great medieval cathedral, or visit the mysterious Ring
of Brodgar, a circle of stones, some standing over 16 feet
tall. Nearby Skara Brae is northern Europe’s best-preserved
prehistoric village. It’s now over 5000 years old, and
was previously buried in the sand.
Scenic LeHavre is the gateway to two historic
and lovely places - Paris and Normandy. Paris, a singularly
French city, is well known for sights such as the Eiffel Tower,
Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and the Louvre Museum.
Or, visit the beaches of Normandy and remember the soldiers
who fought at the World War II Allied invasion of German-occupied
France in 1944.
Lisbon has become a very chic place to
visit. This colorful city is made more so by the vibrant blue
and white azulejos, or painted tiles, for which it is famous.
The town is spread across seven hills, and offers opportunities
for exploration up and down winding cobblestone streets. Historic
sites and museums abound, as do elegant shops and cafes.
There is so much to see and do in Florence!
Perhaps you’ll start at the majestic Duomo, the world’s
fourth largest cathedral. Be sure to walk across the Ponte
Vecchio, a 14-century bridge filled with jewelry shops. Stop
at the Uffizi gallery to view such masterpieces as Botticelli's
Birth of Venus, and admire the many sculptures at the Piazza
dell Signoria.
Americans tend to love London, perhaps
because it is familiar, and yet exotic, all at the same time.
No visit is complete without previewing such landmarks as
Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and of course,
Harrod’s department store! Or perhaps you’d prefer
to explore St. Paul’s Cathedral, made famous by Charles
and Diana’s wedding back in 1981.
Birthplace of Picasso, Malaga is a vibrant,
authentic Spanish city on the Costa Del Sol. Stroll winding,
tree-lined streets and lush gardens, or tour historic Customs
House, Post Office, and City Hall. Travel to Granada, where
the legendary Moorish palace of Alhambra will captivate your
imagination, or shop at Alcaicería, once a Muslim silk
exchange.
Provence is one of the most picturesque
regions of Europe. Imagine fields of lavender and sunflowers,
miles of vineyards, and warm sunny days that inspired such
artists as Cézanne and Van Gogh. Explore well-preserved
ancient medieval villages, and spend at least a little time
relaxing and soaking up the unforgettable ambiance from one
of the many charming cafes.
Perched on the beautiful Bay of Naples
and marked by impressive Mount Vesuvius, Naples has historic
sites and museums galore. You may also choose to travel to
unforgettable Pompeii, the ancient Roman city virtually perfectly
preserved in volcanic ash thousands of years ago. Even the
mosaics on the walls remain to this day. Or tour chic Capri,
resort town of the rich and famous.
This gorgeous gateway to the Côte
d'Azur is a place to see and be seen, especially in the summer
months. Stroll the waterfront promenade des Anglais while
gazing at the picture perfect blue water of the Mediterranean
Sea, and the preening sunbathers. There are also several very
good museums in Nice, or you can visit the nearby glamour
towns of Cannes and Monaco.
Get into the Norwegian spirit of things
by admiring recently excavated mighty Viking ships, or Thor
Heyerdahl’s raft, Kon-Tiki. They are the perfect compliment
to the rugged beauty of this place, peppered with mountains,
fjords, and glaciers. Walk around the medieval castle Akershus
Fortress, built around 1300 A.D., or visit Norway’s
largest open-air folk museum.
Sicilians are famous for their extravagance
and after visiting here perhaps you’ll have some insight
as to why. Incredible collections of art and architecture,
picturesque scenery, and superb beaches are all part of everyday
life here. Don’t miss the stunning town of Taormina,
which boasts a Greek theater, palazzo, cathedral, and gardens.
Mallorca is a popular destination for
sun-lovers and high profile celebrities alike. Fashionable
boutiques and trendy restaurants compete with Gothic cathedrals,
an Islamic castle, olives groves, and the always charming
tree-lined, cobblestone lanes of the historic district. This
is a vibrant city which is especially energetic after night
falls.
The beautiful city of Prague is divided
by a river, and dominated by what may be the largest ancient
castle in the world - Prazsky Hrad. But that’s not all
there is to see. The medieval center of the city is steeped
in history, something you’ll tune in to as you amble
the twisting and turning streets, peering into mysterious
courtyards and ancient churches.
After admiring Iceland’s physical
beauty, which includes glaciers, hot springs, geysers, active
volcanoes, and lava deserts, visit Reykjavik, the northernmost
capital in the world. Its National Museum will give you a
taste of Norse and Icelandic culture, complimented by the
nearby statue of Leif Erikkson. Don’t miss Hallgrimskirkja,
a church that was deliberately built to look like a mountain
of lava.
Gracious and elegant, and reminiscent
of the glorious days of old Russia and the czars who ruled
her, St. Petersburg is laced with waterways framed by ornate
palaces. Marvel at the jewels and artifacts in the famous
Hermitage Museum, stroll in the footsteps of such greats as
Tchaikovsky along the Nevsky prospect, and visit St. Isaac’s
Cathedral and the magnificent Peter and Paul Fortress.
Stockholm is home to the world’s
largest working Royal Palace, which is also open to visitors.
A distinctly maritime-oriented town, you’ll find it
lively and sprinkled with over 50 museums. Visit Skansen,
an open-air mini-Sweden populated with actors in period costumes,
consisting of over 150 traditional houses and buildings, and
folk dancing exhibitions.
Estonia joyfully declared its independence
from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is a place rich in folkloric
tradition, and boasts a signature drink – Vana Tallinn,
a syrupy, sweet, and strong liqueur, often mixed with coffee.
Wander the picturesque medieval Old Town, visit the 19th century
Russian Orthodox Alexandr Nevsky Cathedral, the Toompea Castle,
or the baroque Kadriorg Place, built for Peter the Great.
An intimate 16th century walled city,
Malta was declared the city of the Knights of the Order of
St. John. Sir Walter Scott once described it as “the
city built by gentlemen for gentlemen.” Surrounded by
water on three sides, and containing a plethora of palaces
and cathedrals, you’re sure to enjoy strolling through
the cobblestone streets to the many quaint squares and gardens.
The influence of the ancient Habsburg
dynasty permeates this opulent town, and many of their treasures
– paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Van Dyck to name
a few - are now housed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The
enormous Hofburg, or Imperial Palace, also features an extensive
collection, including the stunning Crown Jewels. Vienna is
also home to the ballet-dancing Lipizzaner stallions.
Not surprisingly, this is where the famous
Waterford crystal is made, so be sure to leave some space
in your luggage for souvenirs! Like the rest of Ireland, Waterford
is charming and very green, with lovely, cheerful people.
The city itself has a medieval flair and sports a Norman tower.
There are also several old Georgian buildings and many interesting
churches.
|
