Austria

Austria is blessed with so many charming landscapes, majestic historical places & unique art masterpieces that it is just an ideal holiday destination for everyone. The country can't leave neither of your senses indifferent: you will be captivated with the taste of Austro-Hungarian & Viennese cuisine, the sound of music by world-famous composers as well as the fascinating & wild Alpine yodeling cries, the sight of gorgeous baroque cathedrals & palaces & the sweet scent of herbs in the mountains. The longer you stay in Austria, the deeper you will fall in love with it.

Austria is one of the countries in Europe having a rich & dramatic history, & its landscapes are dotted with historical landmarks such as medieval fortresses, castles, churches, etc. Moreover, Austria is also home to many great people from composers to military leaders, from poets to musicians.

Important places to visit :

Hofburg Imperial Palace
The Hofburg Imperial Palace was built during the late 13th century & still stands today as a testament to the power & wealth of this mighty political family. In this palace, you will find the offices of the President of Austria, the countries international convention center, the famous Spanish Riding School & its Lipizzan stallions. There are also museums that are open to the public.

Grossglockner Alpine Road
The Grossglockner alpine road is one of the most visited alpine roads in the continent. It ends in the highest mountain in Austria where its largest glacier is also located. In fact, since the mid 1930's, this famous road has been visited by over 50 million people eager to see its spectacular views.

Carnutinum Archaeological Museum
Carnutinum was once the most important of Roman towns in the Alps. It was founded sometime during the 6th century AD & has seen about 5000 inhabitants under the Roman Empire. Today, this town houses the largest collection of Roman artifacts ranging from Roman jewelry, roman arms & coins, landmarks such as amphitheatres & baths as well as other religious objects from the Roman religion of Mithras worship.

Eisriesenwelt Caves
The Eisriesenwelt caves showcase extraordinary rock & ice formations, majestic towers & columns & even an underground glacier & waterfall. It was discovered sometime during the late 1870's by Anton Posselt & since then has attracted thousands of tourists from all around the world. Today, it is considered as one of the largest ice cave in the world.

Graz
The Graz is perhaps the most famous center for culture, architecture & art. In fact, it was been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the historical value of the place. Here, tourists will also get to experience the vibrant nightlife that Gratz is well known for.

Salzburg
Salzburg is well known for its number of churches. In fact, it is also named as the Rome of the North because of this. Aside from this, Salzburg is also known for its old streets, festivals, the Mirabell Palace, the hohensalzburg Fortress & the Mozarteum.

Innsbruck
Innsbruck is well known as a vacation destination in winter. This is because the place is situated between two imposing mountainsides ideal for winter sports such as snowboarding & skiing. Not only that, Innsbruck is also a popular tourist destination even in the summer months because it is ideal for mountaineering & ecotours.

Vienna
Vienna is one of the greatest & most historic cities in Western Europe. It is birthplace of Austria's most famous rulers & some of the most famous composers of classical music. Vienna also boasts of such tourist destinations as St Stephen's Cathedral & Vienna Woods.

The Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future is called the Ars Electronica. This museum is also well known for its stunning collection of modern technology. As such, this has become a tourist spot.

Hohe Tauern National Park
One of the last natural wilderness areas in Europe, this park is well known for its flora & fauna. Here you will see animals such as Mountain goats, ibex, chamois, a wide variety of birds, sheep, etc. You also get to enjoy nature at its finest with your loved ones.

Belgium

Belgium is a country with rich ethnic & regional diversity, divided into three main regions –Flanders, Wallonia & Brussels, the capital city. The country renowned for its chocolates, beer & oil paints, also offers a number of interesting views of museums & attractive sceneries. There are several fascinating places to visit in Belgium which make for great holiday destinations.

Important places to visit :

Bruges
Bruges is one of the leading cities of Belgium & also the capital of the province of Flanders. Known as the "Venice of the North", Bruges makes for one of the best places to visit in Belgium. Bruges is also the best preserved medieval city in Europe & is home to a wealth of museums consisting of the country's best art collections.

Popular tourist attractions in Bruges are: Belfry & the Memling Museum, The Groeninge Museum , Stadhuis.

Bruges offers a whole host of exclusive hotels & fine dining experiences in the best of restaurants making it an ideal destination for tourists.

Brussels
Brussels offers a fine mix of grand architectural splendors & modern skyscrapers. One of the main attractions of this capital city is the Ommegang Festival which is a rich & colorful historical pageant.

Brussels is a bilingual city with both Dutch & French being the official languages. This cosmopolitan city offers a wide range of attractions which are: Grand'Place (Grote Markt), Manneken Pis, Horta Museum, The Royal Palace, The Ancient Art Museum & The Modern Art Museum.

Belgium offers the best beers in the world & in Brussels there are some great pubs like the Falstaff pub, where one can sample some great beers.

Antwerp
Besides being the second largest city in Belgium, Antwerp is also Europe's second largest port. Located on the beautiful Scheldt River, Antwerp makes for one of the great places to visit in Belgium. The city also has the largest diamond industry in the world. Antwerp's numerous architectural highlights include: The gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, The Plantin Moretus Museum, The Koninklijk Museum, The Diamond Museum, The Royal Museum of Fine Art, Rubens' House.

Antwerp is also the fashion capital of Belgium which offers great shopping experiences & has some of the renowned designers of the world of fashion.

Ghent
Located between Brussels & Bruges, Ghent is the fourth largest city in Belgium which has beautifully retained its ancient charm & also kept up with the modern times. Also known as the flower city of Belgium, the major attractions in Ghent are: Castle of the Counts of Flanders, The Belfry, The Cloth Hall, Cathedral of Saint Bavo.

Cyprus

There is a great deal packed into a small space on the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. Not only does it abound with good beaches & holiday resorts, but its relatively tiny landmass is riddled with the relics of ancient history, from the beehive huts of primitive man to classical Greek & Roman ruins, & everything imaginable in-between.

Important places to visit :

Paphos Harbour & Castle
The harbour at Paphos attracts visitors all year round, who take the opportunity to walk along the quay & maybe visit one of the fish restaurants, tavernas or cafes. The view is superb, with lots of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the harbour. The castle is in fact all that remains of a much earlier castle dating from 1391, which was demolished by the Venetians. The Ottomans used it as dungeons & the British as a warehouse for salt! It can be reached via a small bridge over a moat & is worth a visit for the view from the top. The harbour is also a good place to take a boat tour of the surrounding beaches & coastlines.

Curium/Kolossi Castle
Ancient Curium & the castle at Kolossi are both in the Limassol area & can be visited together in a day. They are just two examples of the wealth of history to be found in Cyprus - the Curium sites dating from the second century AD & Kolossi from the thirteenth century.

The ruins at Curium are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the sea - this is probably the most spectacular archaeological site in Cyprus. There are actually two sites, the old city of Kolossi & the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates - they are a few kilometres apart. There is also a museum in the nearby village of Episkopi. As it is one of Cyprus' most popular tourist attractions, it's worth arriving early in high season.

Kolossi castle was the commanderie of the Knights Hospitallers - the name later given to the Commanderia dessert wine. Despite changing owners a number of times, the castle is inextricably linked with both the Hospitallers & wine making.

Both Curium & Kolossi are signposted from the Limassol-Paphos highway. Curium is close to Episkopi village, Kolossi to the village of the same name.

Larnaca Salt Lake & Hala Sultan Tekke
F or those of you arriving at Larnaca airport, one of Cyprus' most impressive places to visit is right under your noses! As you turn left out of the airport you will find the road running along a causeway. On either side you will either see two lakes, or two salt flats, depending on the time of year - this is the Larnaca Salt Lake & site of the mosque or Tekke of Hala Sultan. Salt has been extracted from the lake since ancient times & this continues, on a small scale, to this day. If you are visiting Cyprus in late winter or early spring, look out for the visiting flamingos & other migratory birds. Another salt lake can be found further along the coast of Akrotiri.

Peer across the lake & you will see the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque surrounded by palm trees. This is a wonderful place to visit.

Ayia Napa & Protaras
If you like entertainment of the non-stop variety, then Ayia Napa should be top of your list. It was once a small fishing village, but not any more. It boasts some of the best beaches on the island, lots of opportunities for watersports & is a popular destination for package tours. Arrive on a summer's morning & you will find a quiet, almost eerie place - but only because most of the visitors are sleeping off the excesses of the night before! This is Cyprus, however, & in the midst of all the fun & noise in the very heart of the town, you can find peace & tranquility in the monastery with its fountain, flowers & quiet cloisters.

Nicosia 'within the walls' & the House of Hadigeorgakis Kornesios
Look at any map of Nicosia & you will see the distinctive shape of the walls of the old city. The walls & their eleven bastions were built by the Venetians in the 1570's - most of the historic monuments of Nicosia can be found in the winding streets within the walls. It is also the site of the famous tourist quarter, Laiki Yitoniak, which is full of gift shops & restaurants. The best way to see what is on offer is on foot - for a bird's eye view of the city old & new go to the Ledra Museum & Observatory on the eleventh floor of the Shakolas Tower (next door to Woolworths on the corner of Ledra Street & Arsinois Street).

One of the most beautiful buildings in the old city is the house of Hadigeorgakis Kornesios - also known as the House of the Dragoman - built in the fifteenth century. It is a wonderful example of a combination of Venetian & Ottoman building styles. The position of dragoman was a powerful one - he served as translator to the Turkish governor & liaised between the Ottoman authorities & the Orthodox Christians. He was an immensely powerful man &, as was common for such people in those days, was beheaded in 1808. The house can be found at 20 Patriarchou Grigoriou near the Omeriye mosque.

Cedar Valley
A must for nature lovers, Cedar Valley in Tilliryan Troodos is aptly named. However, the cedars in this secluded valley are no ordinary trees, but the indigenous Cyprus cedar, Cedrus brevifolia, a close relative of the famous cedars of Lebanon. There are thousands of them in Cedar Valley. It's not the easiest of places to find, but for that reason you are almost guaranteed peace & quiet when you get there. It can be reached via a winding unpaved road from Pano Panagia on the Paphos side of the mountains, or from the Kykkos side along a signposed (unpaved) road along the route from Kykkos to Stavros tis Psokas.

And if you are really lucky, it won't be only cedars you see. Cedar Valley is in the heart of the habitat of the moufflon, a species of wild sheep native to Cyprus, & the national symbol. They are very shy animals - those who want a guaranteed viewing will need to go to the enclosure at Stavros tis Psokas.

Panayia tou Araka
It is almost impossible to pick just one of the painted churches of the Troodos - they are all little gems of craftsmanship set in breathtaking scenery. Panayia tou Araka - the church of Our Lady of the Pea - is a superb example & one of ten painted churches on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. It is to be found on a terrace near the village of Lagoudera, surrounded by trees & wild peas from which it takes its name, with a superb view down the valley. The church itself is tiny, & is dwarfed by its snow-proof roof & the wooden trellis that surrounds it. However, when you walk inside, the vibrant colours & the number of the frescoes take your breath away. They date from the twelfth century & are brilliantly clear, having been cleaned relatively recently.

Choirokitia
To go right back to Cyprus' earliest history, you need to visit the remains of stone-age settlements at Choirokitia, better preserved than most other Neolithic sites in the eastern Mediterranean. The settlement dates back to the sixth or seventh centuries BC - although the site was discovered in 1936, serious excavation did not get underway until the 1970's. It is perhaps one of the earliest human settlements on the island & is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The people of Choirokitia lived in beehive-shaped one storey houses - more that sixty such houses can be seen at the site, as well as the original streets & lanes & a larger chieftain's mansion.

Lefkara
To those in the know, Lefkara means only one thing, lacemaking. The exquisite Lefkara lace is one of Cyprus' most famous exports - Leonardo da Vinci is said to have bought some to take back to Italy. As you wander around the streets, you will be invited into the many shops to see & buy the local lace. Lefkara is in fact two villages, Pano (upper) & Kato (lower) Lefkara. Pano Lefkara is the home of the Museum of Traditional Embroidery & Silver-smithing in the house of Patsalos.

The Paphos mosaics
Last but by no means least, the colourful & intricate Roman mosaics to be found in Paphos are a must for all visitors to Cyprus. They were discovered by accident in the 1960's - further excavation revealed a number of Roman houses all with spectacular mosaics, depicting scenes from ancient mythology.

Czech Republic

A historic jewel at the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic packs a sizeable punch for a small country; from its fairytale castles & medieval towns, to elegant spa resorts & scenic national parks. This is also the birthplace of some of the world's finest beer.

The Czech Republic’s capital is the culture-filled Prague, whose imposing castle is the center piece. Easy daytrips from Prague include the spa resort of Karlovy Vary, Karlštejn & Konopiště castles, & the historic towns of Mělník & Kutná Hora.

Czech Republic is a rapidly developing European nation. Tourist facilities in Prague are at the level of those found in most Western European countries; outside Prague, however, these facilities are not as developed & vacation travel can be challenging. Prague is a great town for walking, as the historic district is compact.  In addition, Prague's history has been well preserved & it has become of tourist favorite for a day or two stay.

Important places to visit :

The Prague Castle
This is recognized by the Guinness World of Records as the largest & oldest castle in the whole wide world. This is a very impressive castle that seems to be guarding the city below. You can also see here the St. Vitus Cathedral as well as other smaller palaces.

Charles Bridge
This is only one of the many bridges in Vltava. It was constructed during the 14th century & is considered as oe of the most stunning bridges in Prague. During the day, it is nice to stroll along the Charles Bridge & get to enjoy the many stores & restaurants & bars that are located here.

The Old Town
If you want to see what an ancient town looks like, then visit The Old Town. This is also considered as Prague's historical center as it houses a lot of historical buildings as well as monuments, the most popular of which is the Astronomical Clock or the Orloj. There are also a lot of historical churches that you can visit here.

Josefov
This historical Jewish ghetto is a must-visit place. Here, you will get to see old synagogues that are well maintained, & you will also see here the Jewish Cemetery, thought of as the oldest cemetery in Europe. There is also a burial site that you can visit which is said to be Prague Golem's.

New Town of Prague
Its main tourist spot is the Wenceslas Square where you will get to enjoy shops & restaurants as well as little stalls. You can also visit the National Museum. Along the Boulevard, you will also see parks as well as arcades & modern discos as well as new buildings.

The Lesser Town
What this offers is picturesque views of streets & old churches. The most popular church is the St. Nicholas Church. You can also see the famous Lennon Wall here.

City Center of Brno
If you want to see more historical buildings, then go on to the City Center of Brno. Here, you will surely enjoy the sights of its old churches as well as theaters. You are also going to see here numerous sculptures as well as fountains as you walk along its streets.

Spilberk Castle
This castle/fortress is located in Brno & used to be a famous notorious prison where a lot of people were tormented & tortured during the Austro-Hungarian Empire era. Now, it houses a museum as well as a restaurant to dine in. There is also a park that offers wonderful sights which you can visit.

Vankovka Gallery
If you are fond of shopping, then go on to the Vankovka Gallery. This used to be an industrial center but was later converted to a big shopping center. You can still see some historical industrial buildings here &, at the same time, shop till you drop.

Cesky Krumlov State Castle & Chateau
This is one of the famous tourist destinations in Krumlov. Here, you will see the castle complex & even explore it for free. If you want to see its interiors, then there is the paid guided tour for you to choose.

Namesti Svobody
This is also called the Freedom Square. This is the place where most cultural events are held. So if you want to see a cultural event, then head on to Namesti Svobody.

Denmark

Denmark has an abundance of picturesque villages & towns, historic castles & monuments, & a coastline which varies delightfully from broad sandy beaches to small coves & gentle fjords. Throughout the country, rolling hills & gentle valleys provide a constant succession of attractive views; there are cool & shady forests of beech trees, extensive areas of heathland, a beautiful lake district, sand dunes & white cliffs resembling those of Dover; nor should one forget the Danish islands, each of which has its own unique attractions.

Denmark is a beautiful country that is located in Northern Europe. It was once the home of the famous Viking raiders, fierce people that used to conquer lands, but it is now a modern country that is prosperous & at the same time, retained its old charm.

Important places to visit :

Amalienborg Palace
This serves as home to Denmark's royal family. It does not allow any tours inside the buildings, but you can admire its beautiful architecture from the outside. Even if you cannot get in, you will still enjoy the changing of the guards everyday at exactly noon. 

Assistant Cemetery
This is a popular tourist destination as only here can you see the resting places of many famous Danish people. This is also where Hans Christian &ersen was buried. Other famous people are Niels Bohr & Peter von Scholten, among others.

Bakkehus Museum
This is a wonderful museum to visit as you can learn a lot about the history & culture of Denmark here. You will also learn about the Danish Golden Age of Literature here. This museum once served as the home of a famous Danish couple, Knud Rahbek & his wife.

Estonia

The most scenic of the three Baltic States, Estonia is a nation famed for its enormous forests, beautiful wetlands & remote offshore islands as well as for being one of Europe's most friendly & forward-thinking nations.

Nature, architecture & centuries-old history of Estonia provide for a pleasant & interesting holiday. You will find a lot of interesting activities & attractions here. In the western part there are beaches with white Baltic s&, picturesque islands with untouched nature & modern resorts. In the southern part you will find scenic lakes among woody hills. In winter southern Estonia with its numerous hills is a perfect place for pilgrimage for those who enjoy skiing. In southern Estonia you will be amazed by a quick change of impressions. Only here you will be able to wander over steep granite bank & to listen to the waterfall, as well as visit the ruins of medieval castles & baroque-style manor-houses, & to see the differences between the cupola of the Orthodox & the strict broach of the Lutheran cathedrals, located closely nearby.

Important places to visit :

Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, & Toompea is the historical heart of the city. It is covered with cobbled streets with lots of medieval houses & alleyways, & remnants of the city wall can still be seen there & still protects the lower town spread. Around the wall are green parks perfect for strolling. Tallinn was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

Sailing
Estonian territorial waters is comparable to well known sailing grounds situated in much farther South. The Estonian summer weather is also a perfect time for sailing. There are a huge number of ports to choose from around Estonia.

Open Air Museum
The Open Air Museum is located outside the Old City in Tallinn. It showcases seventy-two buildings described as "Estonian vernacular architecture & village milieu" of the tsarist time in a dark dense forest. Tourists can get a picture of the life & its hardship of the olden times through the Open Air Museum.

The Kadriorg Palace
The Kadriorg Palace was built by Italian architect Niccolo Michetti for star Peter the Great of Russia in 1718. The construction of the palace signifies the start of Tallinn's fame as the summer resort for the nobles & rich of Russia. Today, the palace houses some painting & art collection, & s secluded complex of the palace is currently occupied by the Office of the President.

Patarei Prison
This is one of the recent historical attractions. It is a cannon fortress built around 1840 to protect the city from sea-born attacks & as a notorious USSR prison, & the prison only ceased operation in 2004. Patarei Prison tours can last up to five hours.

Lake Peipsi
It is the forth largest lake in Europe & sits in the border of Estonia, Russia & Eastern Europe. It has an average depth of seven meters with the deepest point being fifteen meters. It is ideal for fishing & recreation.

Driving Tours & Cultural Journey
The countries of Estonia may be fifteen, but it can be toured through driving across countries. Each country can be reached in two to three hours of leisurely drive. Historical structures & museum can be seen along the drive as well as the local houses & a glimpse of the life of the Estonian.

Estonian National Museum
The Estonian National Museum is located in Tartu & is devoted to peasant life & agricultural development. It has some imaginatively recreated farmhouse interiors & detailed display of Estonian folk costume from all over Estonia. Tourist will also appreciate the English labeling of the exhibits.

St. Olaf's Church
The church was named after St. Olaf (King Olaf II of Norway), protector of seafarers. The church's spire was used as a lookout by the KGB during the Soviet occupation. Today, the view from the spire can be enjoyed by anyone who can climb the winding stone staircase, & the stunning view of the Toompea & the sea is worth every breath you'll lose in the climb.

Market stalls inside castle wall
Around the ancient fortress where ammunitions & supplies where once stored are now occupied by small stalls that sells goods to locals & visitors alike. The main product of this market is the handmade sweaters which dangle on hangers & cords for display. There are also other Estonian products sold there such as tablecloths, wooden dolls & other handmade crafts.