Spain

Spain is one of the world's great holiday countries; but it has much more to offer than its endless beaches and its southern sun. Its tourist attractions lie not only along its coasts but inland: not only world-famous sights like the Alhambra in Granada, Seville Cathedral and the monastery of Montserrat but a variety of beautiful scenery, numbers of picturesque villages and towns and a profusion of splendid churches and castles, many of them awaiting discovery well away from the beaten tourist track. This guide covers not only the Spanish mainland but also the outlying islands as well as the neighboring territories of Andorra and Gibraltar.

The kingdom of Spain lies in the extreme south-west of Europe, between latitude 36 degrees and 44 degrees north and between longitude 9 degrees west and 5 degrees east. It is bounded on the north by France and the tiny state of Andorra, on the west and north-west by Portugal and on the south by the British territory of Gibraltar, which is claimed by Spain. The Atlantic washes the Spanish coasts on the north, and the Mediterranean to the south. Also part of Spain are the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera and various smaller islands), which lie off the Mediterranean coast, and the Canary Islands (the largest of which are Gran Canaria and Tenerife) off the north-west coast of Africa.

Important places to visit :

The cities in Spain which should be visited while touring in Spain are:

Madrid
A city known for its extensive music culture. A city with numerous bars, discos, cafes etc. Madrid is also a shopper's paradise, at Plaza Mayor square one can get anything and everything that is available under the sun. The art museums in Madrid is a must visit for all art lovers.

Barcelona
Barcelona is a place with amazing influence of the Mediterranean climate . The capital of Catalonia , this city has everything to impress both nature lovers and art lovers.

Valencia
Numerous beaches and the orchards in Valencia always keeps the tourist busy in exploring the beauty of the city.

Sweden

Sweden is a country that is an attractive travel destination. The first time visitor will find the landscape interesting and inviting, the cities compact, stylish and functional, and the Swedes attentive but serious (at least until you make a friend). Sweden is at its best during the summer and early fall. If you can schedule it, visit Sweden during one of its holidays and see the country come alive. Sweden has a number of number of extremely interesting attractions spread across this relatively large country. As is common in the Nordic countries, Sweden is an expensive place for the tourist

Sweden is undoubtedly one of the places where tourists flock to. The cities are compact and landscape is interesting. There are a number of famous places in Sweden which can make your holiday worthwhile. Not only that these places of interest are sure to give you true worth of your hard earned cash. Visiting Sweden is often an experience of a lifetime.

Important places to visit :

Stockholm
The capital city is delightful and inviting. Some of the places which are a must-see in Stockholm include Gamla Stan, Wasa Museum, Drottingholm Palace, Gripsholm Castle, Lake Malaren, Stockholm Archipelago etc

Uppsala
Uppsala which also falls in the category of famous places in Sweden plays an instrumental role in the developing economy of the country. It takes less than 60 minutes to reach Uppsala from Stockholm.

Gothenburg
Gothenburg is also known as Goteborg. Some of the places in Gothenburg which you cannot afford to miss include Liseberg Amusement Park, Volvo Car assembly plant, Rohsska Museum, Linnestanden etc. And if you want to tour the adjoining areas, put up at a hotel in Goteborg to do so.

Crystal Country
Crystal country is also known as “Kingdom of Crystal”. The area is basically famous for crystal production. It is located to the west of Kalmar.

Kalmar
Don’t miss out on the famous Kalmar Castle. One of the best and famous places in Sweden, Kalmar also has the Domykyrkan or the cathedral.

Gota Canal
Connecting Stckholm with Gothenburg is the Gota Canal. Embark upon a trip through the canal. The cruise passes through rivers, canals and the largest lake in Sweden. If you are interested in viewing both Stockholm and Gothenurg simultaneously, don’t miss out on this trip.

Swedish Lapland
Lapland is often regarded as Europe’s last wilderness. The same applies for Lapland in Finland and Norway. Kiruna is one place where you can put up if you are interested in catching a glimpse of northern lights and midnight sun.

In addition to the famous places in Sweden mentioned above, there are other places too which you shouldn’t miss. They include the following –

1. Operan
2. Djurgardsfarjan
3. Stadshuset
4. Skeppsholmen Island
5. Avenyn
6. Visby
7. Ice Hotel
8. Malmo etc

Switzerland

Switzerland is a dream tour destination for all. A tourist planning for a Switzerland Tour is always inquisitive about the basic information about the country. Its appearance, its beauty and charm though to be explored during a Switzerland Tour; still some degree of familiarity has to be attained to experience the zenith of enjoyment. In the whole of Western Europe, which is thronged by the travellers during the vacations, Switzerland attracts the maximum tourists every year. Here under we are providing you the information valuable for you while your Switzerland vacation. The credit of Switzerland being high on the tourism chart goes to the Tourism Department which is active since years to make Switzerland the most preferable tourist destination.

Whenever you imagine Switzerland the spectacular mountains, dazzling snow fields, parks and flowers, picture card cities set on crystal clear lakes, elegant hotels, comfortable trains and friendly people - capture your mind and memory. Switzerland is no doubt considered to be a Skiing Paradise by the sporting celebrities. There are very few places that can equal the cleanliness and orderliness prevalent in Switzerland.

Important places to visit :

Schilthorn and Piz Gloria
The Schilthorn is a mountain in the Swiss Alps. The Piz Gloria is a revolving restaurant on the top of this mountain that was the location for the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." To reach this destination, 2970m above sea level, one must travel by a combination of train, bus and cable car. The cable cars up the mountain give an excellent panoramic view of the valley below. Once you reach the restaurant, you can dine for breakfast or lunch as you revolve around and get a 360 degree spectacular view. You can walk outside and out onto the edge of the top of the mountain (which is actually pretty scary, but well worth it.) From the top of this mountain, you can see the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger mountains, part of the Unesco World Heritage, as well as Interlaken and Lakes Brienz and Thunzersee below.

Jungfraujoch
This is an adjacent Swiss mountain peak to the Schilthorn. You start off on the same train, whether going to Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch. Once you reach a certain point, you get on the Jungfrau railway. At the top of Jungfrau, you are at the highest point in Switzerland, 3454m. Once at the top, you can visit the observatory deck, where you can stand outside or inside glass walls and engage in the wonderful scenery. On a clear day, you can see down to Interlaken below! This mountain also hosts an indoor ice palace, where everything is made of ice, including the walkways and walls. Different ice sculptures abound and you can take your picture with them! A tourist area hosts some restaurants and a gift shop as well. This is one of the most spectacular sights I have seen, from the top of this mountain. It is worth every minute and you will never forget the experience!

Wengen - Murren
This is the place where waterfalls run down the sides of mountains. It is beautiful. It is as if the waterfalls come from nowhere and go nowhere. You just see the waterfalls and become entranced in the moment. Wengen and Murren are part of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, which you will pass through on your way to the Schilthorn. Trummelbach falls is a great stop in this area. You will pay about $10 to see spectacular waterfalls inside the mountain! There are many places to hike and picnic in this area, and the scenery is out of this world!

Interlaken
Interlaken is the last stop on the top ten for the Bernese-Oberland region of Switzerland. This region is mostly German speaking, so in any of the first four hot spots, people will speak mainly German. Interlaken is the valley below all the Swiss mountains such as the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. Interlaken is the land between the two lakes- Thunersee and Brienzersee.Interlaken runs between the lakes, from east to west. In the east, you will find the train station that takes you anywhere in Switzerland, and is the starting place for many excursions to the mountains listed above. The shopping is great and the food is great. You will find authentic Swiss delicacy, such as fondue pots of chocolate, cheese or meat. You will find Swiss watch shops and souvenir places. But most of all, you will find a small tourist town, friendly and not too crowded, to see what Switzerland is all about.

Swiss National Park
This is located in the very east of Switzerland in the Canton Graubunden. The local language spoken is Romansch. The park is huge, and hosts a variety of animals and plant species. Some common animals are golden eagles, bearded vultures, marmots, chamois and elk. There is only one road open to the public, and it is suggested to travel by bus through the park on this road. Over 80 km of hiking trails will keep you very busy hiking and exploring and watching the animals in their true setting!

The Tropical Alps
Believe it or not, you will find palm trees here! Ticino is a 100-km stretch between the Germanic mountain north and Mediterranean south (Italy). Ticino is very close to Italy, and offers glaciers as well as palm trees. The culture is rich and diverse in this area, and is little known to those who don't live in Switzerland.

Aletsch Glacier
This is the longest and most breathtaking glacier in the Alps at 23 km long. It is the easiest to access, and is the sight of the first UNESCO World Heritage sight. This glacier is found in the western-southern part of Switzerland in the Aletsch region. You can take a two hour tour of the glacier from Betteralp with guides. The Aletsch forest, found here, houses Switzerland's oldest stone pines.

Lake Geneva Region
This area is known for cyclists and wine lovers. Lake Geneva is situated on the westernmost part of Switzerland, toward the south. The lake goes from Geneve' (Geneva, Switzerland) to Lausanne. In Lausanne, there is an Olympic museum. In the Lake Geneva region, the main language is French, and you will get a taste of French flair when visiting this area. There are nine interconnected touring routes for cyclists with over 3300 km of road and cycle paths. The area is rich in culture, with many museums and archaeological sites, such as the Chillon Castle. Many Roman ruins remain here.

Appenzellerland
This is the land home to Heidi! It lies between Lake Walen and Bad Ragaz in Northeastern Switzerland. Here you will find all sorts of walking trails and the largest Nordic fitness park in Switzerland. Big in this area is Swiss cheese and cows, just like you remember from Heidi. Cow shows are popular, and the locals enjoy dressing up in traditional costumes. A spa resort is located at Bad Ragaz.

Zurich
You can't forget about the 2000 year old town rich in history. This is the city area of Switzerland, with trendy cafes, international boutiques, and the hustle and bustle of modern life. The buildings retain their historical impression, despite the advances in technology that await indoors. There are many cool shops and restaurants on the Bahnhoffstrasse (main road). At night, bars and lounges open and buzz, as well as operas and open-air concerts. You can still hike nearby, see wildlife, and swim in the rivers in lakes like many other places in Switzerland. One cool event is to take a boat trip by steamer on Lake Zurich.

Turkey

Turkey is a vast and varied country boasting incredible landscapes and natural wonders bordered by four different seas. Well known as a great destination for relaxing beach holidays, it also offers many sporting activities, some of the world's most important ancient monuments, welcoming Turkish hospitality and a delicious and varied national cuisine. Istanbul is also gearing up to be European Capital of Culture 2010 so it has never been a better time to visit this magical city!

There's an enormous variety of things to see and do ranging from water sports to mountain trekking, archaeology to night-clubbing and river rafting to raki drinking. Whether you leave Turkey with magnificent carpets, amulets to ward off evil, belly-dancing tips, an appreciation of its history, or just a tan, you're likely to want to go back for more.

Important places to visit :

Ankara
Turkey's capital is a sprawling urban mass in the midst of the Central Anatolian steppe. It's very different from the Ottoman town of Angora which preceded it on this site, a quiet place where long-haired goats were raised and their fleece knitted into fluffy jumpers. Since 1920 when Atatürk set up his provisional government here, Ankara's main business has been government but several significant attractions make it worth a short visit.

Most visitors head straight for Hisar, the Byzantine citadel atop the hill east of the old city, and the nearby Museum of Anatolian Civilsations. A couple of km to the south is Atatürk's mausoleum, a monumental building, spare but beautiful, that echoes the architecture of several great Anatolian empires. The Presidential Mansion is preserved as Atatürk used it, with decor and furnishings of the 1930s including billiard table and cigar-and-brandy nook. There's a lot of ancient history around too. Roman Ankara was a city of some importance, and Roman ruins are dotted in amongst the mosques and monuments of Muslim Anatolia. Most of the cheaper hotels and restaurants are in old Ankara, a km or so northeast of the train station.

Antalya
Antalya is the chief city on Turkey's central Mediterranean coast. As well as several km of pebble beaches and a historic Roman-Ottoman core, Antalya is a good base from which to explore the quieter beach towns and more spectacular ancient cities of the region. Side, 75km (47mi) east of Antalya, is the increasingly popular beach town once chosen by Mark Antony and Cleopatra for a romantic tryst. Alanya, 115km (71mi) east of Antalya, is another sea-sun-n-sand joint with a mini-Miami feel.

Patara is a party town a few hundred km south-west of Antalya. The beach here is a simply splendid 20km (12mi) long and there are Roman ruins in amongst the dunes. You'll have to do your sunset-watching elsewhere, however, as the beach closes at dusk to give sea turtles access to their nests. The towns along the Mediterranean coast are all linked by bus and dolmus services (especially frequent in summer).

Bodrum
Bodrum is the South Aegean's prettiest resort, with a yacht harbour and a port for ferries to the Greek island of Kos. Palm-lined streets ring the bays, and white sugar-cube houses, now joined by ranks of villas, crowd the hillside. Boating, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are prime Bodrum activities. At night Bodrum's famous discos throb, boom and blare, keeping much of the town awake until dawn. Both Turkish and foreign visitors complain about the ear-splitting cacophany, but the local attitude seems to be, 'If you wanted peace and quiet, why did you come to Bodrum?'. If this sounds like your kind of town, you can grab a bus to Bodrum from just about anywhere - it's 4 hours to Izmir by road. There are frequent ferries to Kos in summer, and a hydrofoil to Rhodes between May and September.

Ephesus
Of Turkey's hundreds of ancient cities and classical ruins, Ephesus is the grandest and best preserved. Indeed, it's the spunkiest classical city on the Mediterranean. Ephesus was Ionia, a flourishing cultural centre during the Greek Empire, and a busy provincial capital during Roman times. Ionia's Temple of Diana was counted among the Seven Wonders of the World, and the city was generally renowned for its wealth and beauty. Sts Paul and John took up the quill in Ionia and the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her twilight years here. A walking tour of the ruins will take at least half a day, and if you're here in summer, start early, because it gets stinking hot by high noon. Places you'll come across include the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers, in which seven persecuted youths slumbered for two centuries, then woke up and ambled down to town for a meal; the colossal Harbour Gymnasium; the grand marble-paved Arcadian Way; the impressive Temple of Hadrian and a scattering of Roman fountains, pools, brothels, libraries and public toilets.

Selçuk, a town of 25,000 people with more than its fair share of nagging touts, is the main tourist centre for the region. There's a beautiful museum in the centre of town and a fair swag of Roman, Christian and Muslim sights including the St John Basilica and a Byzantine Aqueduct. Izmir is the closest transportation hub. Frequent trains and buses trundle the 1-hour trip to Selçuk which is a mere 3km (2mi) from Ephesus.

Istanbul
Straddling the Bosphorus, its skyline studded with domes and minarets, Istanbul is one of the truly great romantic cities. Its history tracks back from Byzantium to Constantinople to its place at the head of the Ottoman Empire. Today it hums as Turkey's cultural heart and good-time capital.
The heart of historical Istanbul is Sultanahmet, the district centred on the Byzantine Hippodrome in the oldest part of the city. Best explored on foot, most sights are within easy walking distance of each other. If the pace does get too much, a çay bahçe (tea garden) is never too far away.

United Kingdom

Few places cram in as much scenery, history and culture as the United Kingdom.

England's southwest is dominated by a rugged shoreline and ancient history, while the UK's sprawling and ethnically diverse capital London sits amid the rolling hills of the cosmopolitan southeast. Brash and forward, the people of the north England are among the friendliest, and the wild and windswept Northumberland coast, Peak District and Lake District are brooding and beautiful. 

But it is the highlands of Scotland where true British wilderness remains - harsh, snow capped and often inaccessible. Art-drenched Edinburgh is a stunning city to explore, and the larger islands of the Hebrides attract walkers and whiskey lovers. 

Enchanting Wales features energetic Cardiff and industrial Swansea to the south, and jagged peaks of the Snowdon Massif to the north. 

Across the water, stylish Belfast is a forward thinking and exciting city, and Northern Ireland's countryside is every bit as intoxicating as the UK's mainland.

Important places to visit :

Top 5 attractions in each category

Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is a 500 acre theme park located in Surrey, not far from London.
As one of Europe's leading leisure parks it has entertainment for all ages. Thrill seekers will be riding the likes of Nemesis Inferno, Stealth and X: No Way Out

Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor is a Theme Park and Zoo set in 280 acres of parkland near Tamworth in Staffordshire. Boasting some of the scariest, biggest and wettest rides in the country. Apocalypse is the world’s first stand up tower drop. Shockwave is Europe’s only stand up rollercoaster. Stormforce 10 is ‘the best water ride in the country’ (Daily Express) and G-Force terrifies thrillseekers with speeds of up to 70kph at 4.3 G’s, all while hanging from your hip. Not for the lighthearted!

London Eye
The London Eye has now become one of the iconic sights of London. Opened in March 2000 the wheel is a metaphor for the turning of the century.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Pleasure Beach in Blackpool is the UK's top theme park attracting over 5 million visitors a year.

Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court has grown from humble beginnings in the 11th century to one of the finest palaces in the world. Over 800 years of history can be explored through this magnificent palace whose previous owners include Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Chatsworth House
Chatsworth house offers visitors a treasure trove of modern and historic artifacts. Wander around the three floors where you can see magnificent displays of art, furniture, sculptures and paintings housed in ornately decorated rooms. From the grandeur of the 1st Duke's Painted Hall and State Apartments with their rich decoration and painted ceilings, to the 19th century Library, Great Dining Room and Sculpture Gallery

Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of London's most popular and iconic tourist attractions. Built by William the Conquerer in the early 1080s the Towers role has been as a fortress, palace and prison

Windsor Castle
Windsor castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and is one of the official residences of the Queen. It was originally built by William the Conquerer in the 11th Century and has seen many extensions and fortifications by English monarchs over the years.

British Museum
The British Museum houses a world collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures that spans two million years of history. There are artefacts representing every history period from the Vikings to the Romans to the Egyptians and Medievel Europe with examples of pottery, jewellery, statues, paintings, sculptures and many more.

Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is home to one of the largest natural history collections in the world from microscopic slides to mammoth skeletons. The building itself is impressive with cathedral like structure, frescoes and sculptures and the central hall is home to an astounding Diplodocus skeleton.

Tate Modern Art Gallery
Tate Modern is the national gallery of international modern art and also houses a collection of British art from the 1500s. The Gallery was created in 2000 from a disused power station in the heart of London. The buildings vast size becomes apparent when you enter via the dramatic turbine hall which is 152 metres long!

Woburn Abbey & Safari Park
Woburn Abbey is currently home to the 15th Duke of Bedford but is open to visitors from March to September. Visitors can expect Grandeur and extravagant décor throughout the house. The dining room boasts a ceiling painted by Cipriani in 1770 and a fine collection of paintings including Venetian views by Canaletto.

Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury has Britain’s finest 13th century Gothic Cathedral boasting the tallest spire in the Kingdom. Built between 1220 and 1258 it has over 750 years of history including the world's best preserved original Magna Carta and Europe's oldest working clock. The Cathedral is a record holder for having the largest Cathedral close, the largest Cathedral Cloisters and the largest and earliest set of Quire stalls in Britain. The Cathedral is still an active place of worship and visitor access is restricted on Sundays during services.

Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a circle of ancient stones erected between 3000BC and 1,600BC. It is one of the most important prehistoric monument sites in Britain

Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of London's most famous art venues. Each year, the venue is host to more than 350 performances ranging from local and community events to rock concerts, opera and lavish banquets.

The Monument
The Monument is the tallest isolated stone column in the world and was built as a memorial to the Great Fire of London.

Tower Bridge Exhibition
Tower Bridge is one of London’s iconic sights and visitors to the exhibition will learn all about its history and how the bridge works.

Hungary

The country offers many diverse destinations: relatively low mountains in the north-west, the Great Plain in the east, lakes and rivers of all sorts (including Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe), and many beautiful small villages and hidden gems of cities. Top this off with Hungary's great accessibility in the middle of Europe, a vivid culture and economy, and you get a destination absolutely not worth missing if you're in the region.

Hungary is one of the 15 most popular tourist destinations in the world, with a capital Budapest regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Despite its relatively small size, the country is home to numerous World Heritage Sites, UNESCO Biosphere reserves, the second largest thermal lake in the world (Lake Heviz), the largest lake in Central Europe (Lake Balaton), and the largest natural grassland in Europe (Hortobagy).

Important places to visit :

Budapest
Danube panorama which is a World Heritage site, three Turkish spas, the biggest Parliament building as well as the biggest spa in Europe, 90 museums, Margaret island, Buda Castle District on a hill – also listed among the World Heritage sites, Buda hills, Opera House, Synagogue, City park with the Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes Square, Millennium Underground, Central Market Hall, caves, islands.

Tihany or Lake Balaton
Tihany is a very nice picturesque place at the shore of Balaton with lots of natural beauties and Historical buildings. Vulcanic structures, beautiful forests, a 1000 year old monastery, nice vineyards can be seen here at the peninsula. It is recommended to be visited mostly in summertime. Other attractive places in Lake Balaton: Balatonfured, Keszthely, Fonyod, Badacsony, Szigliget, Siofok.

Lillafured
Admittedly it is one of the most beautiful places in Hungary. Lillafured is quite a small settlement, actually to small to be considered a town. It is near Miskolc, in the Northern part of Hungary. Beautiful hills, lake, caves, waterfalls, rivers, forests can be found here with a 4* Castle hotel.

Sopron
Sopron is a middle sized city in the North West part of Hungary, not far from Lake Ferto (the Lake is situated in both Hungary and Austria) which is a World Heritage Site. It is a beautiful city packed with Museums, Cultural and Natural values. It also has very good restaurants. One can easily spend a pleasant week here.

Eger
Eger is a historical city with famous wine cellars in the Northern hills. Eger has a renown Stronghold where the small Hungarian army stopped the huge Turkish invaders back in the 16th century. It is not a crowded city, has a nice spa and lots of Museums. You have to try the delicious home cooked bakery, “retes” if you come here. Another romantic place worth visiting in the area is Szilvasvarad, just 30 km away from Eger: a lovely little village in the valley of Bukk National Park.

Pecs
Pecs is a little bit mediterranean city and has numerous Turkish memorials due to the 150-year Turkish Rule in Hungary. It is situated in the Mecsek hills in the Southern part of Hungary with significant historical and cultural values along with a zoo on the hill. It was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2010. Its ancient Christian tombs are a World Heritage site.

Visegrad and the Danube Bend
Many Hungarian kings chose this area as his royal residence. There is a beautiful view from its 333 m high Castle over the Danube river. Though it is a small settlement it has lots of historical values. Simultaneously it has beautiful forests and waterfalls nearby.

Gyor
Gyor is a city of waters in the northwest part of the country. Several rivers meet here: the Danube, the Raab and the so called Mosoni Danube. It is also a city of students as it has a university. Nice bridges, great thermal bath and a pleasant city can be found here. It appears that everything is in good balance. I would recommend it to all as it is a very attractive place to visit.

Heviz
Heviz is one of the most known city of Hungary, located not far from Lake Balaton. It has a unique termal lake rich in minerals, its temperature varies among 24 – 38 C making it ideal for winter bathing as well. The 410 liter/second water production enables the thermal water to be changed completely in every 3 days. The city itself is quite clean and organised. Several wellness hotels can be found here.

Szeged
Szeged is a quiet, peaceful city next to River Tisza. Szeged is famous for the high quality kayak and canoe courses and its plenty of interesting lakes where thousands of cranes gather in Autumn. The inner city is very nice and the Outdoor Theater has performances during the summer. Szeged has a Pick Salami and the famous Paprika Museum.

Portugal

Portugal is one of the best value destinations in Europe. This is because the country offers outstanding landscape diversity, due to its North-South disposition along the western shore of the Iberian peninsula. You can travel in a single day from green mountains in the North, covered with vines and all varieties of trees to rocky mountains, with spectacular slopes and falls in the Centre, to a near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region and finally to the glamorous beach.

If you want a condensed view of European landscapes, culture and way of life, Portugal might very well fit the bill. Portugal today is a friendly, low-key place with a laidback vibe and a fantastic coastline, much of it fringed by golden sands and endless dunes.

Important places to visit :

Porto
Porto has a very special ruinous beauty, for which I fell entirely. The River Douro has been a part of the city’s history, economy and appearance for ever, turning Porto and the Douro valley into one if the most well-known wine regions in Europe. Porto is just the ideal place for a weekend getaway in Europe - it’s easy on the budget just and it is so Portuguese that it won’t take you very long to get culturally immersed.

Lisbon
Lisbon’s unique light accentuates the dignity of its monuments, the scenic river Tagus glistens in the sunlight and the city’s unassuming cobbled streets lead you into resplendent squares. Old and new co-exist harmoniously in a city that has a rhythm all of its own where you will want to soak up its charm very slowly. Glamorous Cascais lies further along the coast and just beyond that, the magical hills of the town that has always enchanted the more romantically-inclined... dreamy Sintra.

Madeira Island
This ‘floating garden’ in the Atlantic owes its attraction as much to its beautiful landscape and sub-tropical vegetation as to the wonderful climate and warm, inviting waters. Madeira Island’s tempting sea acts as a powerful magnet on the hearts of its people and visitors, beckoning all to its shores and offering endless opportunities for enjoyment. The warm hospitality you will feel here will make you want to come back for more.

The Algarve
A fabulous climate, a wide choice of beaches, animated seaside resorts, sophisticated villas and golf courses galore have all come together to make the Algarve Portugal’s best-known region. Also a land of striking natural beauty, its protected wetlands are home to migrating birds and its mountainous interior is a delightful mix of blossoming almond trees, quaint historical towns and a peaceful farming life.

The Azores islands
A region of untouched wild landscape, all-pervading tranquillity and a way of life that is equally devoted to land and sea, a trip to the Azores is an authentic discovery voyage. A land of volcanic craters, breathtaking lakes and dairy farming, its sea attracts dolphins, whales and ancient sea mariners from all corners of the world.

Sintra
Sintra is indeed an extraordinary place with a surreal mixture of history and fantasy, protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its fairytale palaces, incredible vistas, and notable museum collections make it a destination you should make the effort to see, especially if you visit Lisbon. Every castle is built in another style — from a Moorish defense castle, to the classically Portuguese national palace, to the surreally colorful Pal當io da Pena.

Obidos
Obidos is a tiny city that isn’t really well known in international tourism — but the Portuguese weekend-getawayers love this little town with its narrow cobbled lanes, the medieval castle and the white and yellow houses. Most Portuguese visit ﾓbidos in the spring for the annual chocolate festival.. ﾓbidos is an incredibly great place to visit: It’s so historic and so picturesque — and it’s famous for a cherry liquor calledGinhinja.

Evora
Evora is a beautiful little town, which is an art historian’s dream come true: From ancient Roman temple ruins to medieval city walls and churches, Evora is overflowing with history and great architecture. If you’re interested in more quirky historic sights: There’s also a quite scary chapel that has walls made out of human skulls. And although Evora feels like a small town, it is home to one of the bigger universities in Portugal and thus has a great student vibe. Evora is perfect for a weekend getaway if you love history, small but vibrant cities, and the fantastic wine of the Alentejo region.

Croatia

Croatia has a growing reputation for niche festivals– not just in the party-the-weekend-away music events held on beaches and in abandoned factories and ancient sea-forts up and down the coast, but also in the mushrooming number of arts festivals and small-town cultural shindigs. And in Zagreb and elsewhere, a raft of new galleries and art attractions has given the country a cool and contemporary sheen.

A renewed respect for natural ingredients has become the watchword of Croatian cuisine, with locally sourced foodstuffs, wines and olive oils standing up increasingly well to globalization.

Important places to visit :

Dubrovnik
Nicknamed “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Croatia and the Mediterranean. The walled city was built on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice and achieved a remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th centuries. Dubrovnik is steeped in stunning architecture and sculptural detail, and boasts spectacular churches, monasteries, museums, fountains and the famous walls that surround the old city.

Plitvice Lakes
The Plitvice Lakes are considered to be one of the most beautiful natural destinations in Europe. Due to its natural beauty and significance, this system of 16 interlinked lakes and a large forest complex around it were set aside as a national park in 1949. The beautiful Plitvice Lakes are famous for their unique colors, including azure, green, blue, and gray. The area around the lakes is home to an extremely wide variety of animal and bird species. Rare fauna such as the European brown bear, wolf, eagle, owl, and lynx can be found here, along with many more common species.

Hvar
Island Hvar and especially Hvar town is one of the most popular attractions in Croatia. Olive groves, fruit orchards, and lavender fields make up a large part of the agricultural landscape. Hvar town, set in a picturesque natural bay, with the Pakleni island chain protecting it to the south, is a popular port for yachts sailing around the Adriatic, especially in the summer months. Starigrad, the oldest village on the island, and Jelsa, as well as a smattering of small villages, dotting the coast or nestled in the lush interior are also well worth a visit.

Rovinj
Rovinj is one of the most picturesque towns in the Mediterranean. With its pastel-colored houses clustered together on steep winding streets it is a great place to wonder around. Rovinj is still an active fishing port and visitors can take a boat to the lovely offshore islands. The area around Rovinj has been described as an “outstanding scenic wonder” because of the pristine beauty of the indented coastline and its forests.

Korcula
The sixth largest Croatian island, Korcula is separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. The island’s capital is also called Korcula. Nicknamed”Little Dubrovnik”, this ancient city is among the most beautiful towns on the Croatian coast and is known for its unique architecture. One of the main attractions is the alleged house of birth of Marco Polo. The biggest and the most beautiful building of Korcula is the Cathedral of St. Marco, built in Gothic-Renaissance style and completed in the 15th century.

Pula Arena
The amphitheater in Pula is the sixth largest surviving Roman arena and one of the best preserved Roman monuments in Croatia. The Pula Arena was built around the 1st century AD and could seat over 26,000 spectators. In the 15th century many stones were taken from the amphitheater to build houses and other structures around Pula, but fortunately this practice was stopped before the whole structure was destroyed. Today it is a popular Croatia attraction and used to host a variety of festivals and performances during the summer months.

Diocletian's Palace
Diocletian’s Palace in Split was built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in preparation for his retirement. He lived out his retirement in his palace tending to his vegetable gardens. After the Romans abandoned the site, the Palace remained empty for several centuries. In the 7th century nearby residents fled to the walled palace to escape invading barbarians. Since then the palace has been occupied, with residents making their homes and businesses within the palace basement and directly in its walls. Today many restaurants and shops, and some homes, can still be found within the walls.

Mljet
The island of Mljet is one of the larger islands off the coast of Southern Croatia. With 72% of the island covered by forests and the rest dotted by fields, vineyards and small villages, Mljet is a perfect place to relax. The island contains two salt lakes, Veliko and Malo Jezero, that are located at the western end of the island. In the middle of Veliko Jezero, there is a small island with an old Benedictine monastery.

Euphrasian Basilica
The 6th century Euphrasian Basilica is the top attraction of Poreč, a 2,000 year old town in Istria. It is one of the best examples of early Byzantine architecture in the Mediterranean region and, for the most part, has retained its original shape, though accidents, fires and earthquakes have altered a few details. The present basilica was built on the site of an older basilica during the period of Bishop Euphrasius. The wall mosaics were executed by Byzantian masters and the floor mosaics by local experts.

Gornji Grad
Gornji Grad is the medieval core of Zagreb and translates as Upper Town. It developed as two separate towns, Kaptol, the seat of the Bishop, and Gradec, the free town where tradesmen and artisans lived. The towns merged in the 1770s to form the northern section of historic Zagreb. The focal point of Gornji Grad is the square around St. Mark’s Church, the parish church of Old Zagreb.