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A Continent for All Seasons
Europe is, as
ever, a desirable destination year-round. From mid-winter bargains to
high-season indulgences, its many and varied nations offer something for
every traveler — whether that travel is strictly business, family, or
being undertaken by couples, singles or students. Following is a sampling
of European national destinations. Promotional and package information is
subject to change and should be checked with the supplier.
AUSTRIA
Austria offers the best of Europe: spectacular vistas, Alpine splendor,
exciting nightlife, upscale shopping, classical culture and culinary
adventure. Also, as the cradle of Alpine skiing and a country where that
discipline is as much a way of life as it is a sport, it is a dream
destination for many a skier.
Its major cities of Vienna and Salzburg feature history and culture, spectacular
architecture and a first class tourism infrastructure. The countryside
charms with cobblestone lanes and picturesque churches and abbeys.
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BELGIUM
Practically next door to Paris, London and Amsterdam, Belgium is a treasure worth exploring in itself.
Baroque architecture, a street named Meat
& Bread and more than 70 museums are just some of the highlights in Brussels. Antwerp features diamonds and one of the
world’s most popular zoos. Bruges and Ghent offer glimpses into Europe’s medieval legacy.
Beer and chocolate add flavor to an
already delicious destination.
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BRITAIN
Britain is still the most popular European
destination for Americans and traveling from the U.S. to Britain is easy
with recent additions in transatlantic service to Birmingham, Manchester,
and London, England, and Glasgow, Scotland..
From London, with its theater, arts, and
museums, to the quaint villages of the English countryside, from the
highlands of Scotland to the valleys of Wales, there is plenty to see and
do.
London News
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CROATIA
Croatia, located in the heart of Europe on the Adriatic coast bordering
Italy, Slovenia and Hungary, is a country of more than 1,185 islands,
islets and reefs, most uninhabited and ideal for eco-tourism. Many cruise
lines include Croatia in their itineraries.
Dubrovnik is the best-known resort town
along the Dalmatian coast. Zagreb is the capital and a center of arts and
culture with numerous museums and galleries.
English is widely spoken and numerous
hotel as well as bed-and-breakfast-type accommodations are available.
The Croatian National Tourist Board can
help arrange a unique experience for clients: a stay at one of 11
lighthouses located throughout the island nation.
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CYPRUS
This island republic of spectacular beauty offers sandy beaches, rugged cliffs
and cool pine forests while its 9,000-year-old cultural heritage blends
East and West.
Its museums concentrate on art and
artifacts from the Neolithic Age to medieval times, with a special focus on
the Byzantine period.
One of the finest examples of Byzantine
architecture, St. Lazarus Church, built in the 9th century and restored in
the 17th century, still stands in the town of Larnaka.
Lefkosia (Nicosia), the 1,000-year-old
capital, is encircled by fortress walls built by the Venetians in the 16th
century. The old city is sprinkled with historical buildings as well as
shops, cafes and taverns.
Lemesos (Limassol), the second-largest
city, is spirited and cosmopolitan. It is the main port, the center of the
wine industry and a bustling resort.
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CZECH REPUBLIC
A small country in the heart of the
Continent, the Czech Republic is a sort of miniature Europe.
The capital, Prague, “City of a
Hundred Spires,” has survived wars and revolutions unscathed; beyond
Prague lies a fairy-tale landscape of woods and meadows, castles and old
towns and villages.
Elegant spa towns built around natural hot
springs, once the playground of European aristocracy, are attracting
visitors again, and the mountain ranges running the length of the borders
offer fine hiking terrain, folk architecture and natural beauty.
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DENMARK
Denmark’s reputation as a
destination full of warm-hearted, fun-loving people make it a
traveler’s delight.
Copenhagen, one of the world’s great
walking cities, is filled with classic and modern architecture, historic
sites, world-class museums and some of the best shopping and dining in
Europe. Must-sees are the statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s
Little Mermaid and Tivoli Gardens, a “pleasure park” in the
heart of the city. Visitors can shop on Strøget, the longest
pedestrian street in Europe.
The countryside is quiet and unspoiled
thanks to a Danish respect for nature and commitment to ecological
consciousness.
Getting around within the country is easy.
Danish trains are clean, fast and efficient. Highways are clearly marked
and drivers are polite.
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ESTONIA
A former Soviet Republic (one of the
Baltic states), independent since 1991, Estonia shares cultural ties with
Finland. Medieval castles and manors fill its rural landscape.
Tallinn, the capital, is one of
Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. The southern city of
Tartu is neo-classical in style; Narva, with its famed Ivangorod
Fortress, lies on the river separating Estonia and Russia.
The Estonia Rural Tourism Association
arranges a variety of packages, including farm stays and hiking and
canoeing tours.
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FINLAND
Culturally and historically rich, Finland offers a stable environment and a
warm ambience.
The capital of Helsinki features stunning
architecture, a picturesque harbor and world-class museums; the European
Union named Helsinki to its list of European Cities of Culture 2000.
Finland is rich in natural wonders,
including 29 national parks, 170,000 archipelago islands, 187,888 lakes and
Lapland in the north. Daily flights from North America gateways provide
U.S. visitors with easy access.
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FRANCE
France’s myriad attractions range from the gardens of Versailles to
the gardens of Monet; from Celtic ruins to Renaissance castles; from haute
cuisine to baguettes and fromage; from Paris to the Riviera.
Fine museums and spectacular sightseeing
are just a few more of the reasons France remains, according to the French
Government Tourist Office, the No. 1 travel destination in the world. The
nation also boasts the world’s most extensive high-speed train
network.
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GERMANY
Germany is a land of enchanting towns, fairy-tale castles, vibrant cities
and modern museums.
Timber-framed houses ringed by ancient
city walls in the midst of mysterious forests typify Germany to some; the
Autobahn and a reunified Berlin come first to the minds of others. Hearty
beers and tasty pastries appeal to all.
Germany is also an ideal destination for
trade fairs, congresses and conferences with venues ranging from the
historic to the most ultra-modern facilities.
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GREECE
Greece offers a variety of travel experiences, from the historical, with an
appreciation of its role as the wellspring of Western civiliation, to the
romantic, with cruises and excursions among its many islands.
In Athens, ancient glories such as the
Parthenon and the Theater of Dionysus beckon. Meanwhile, preparations are
under way in that city for the 2004 Olympics, Aug. 13 to 29.
Ancient Greece is on view in the ruins of
Mycenae, with its Atreus Treasury, defense walls and monumental Lion Gate
from the palace of Agamemnon. In Corinth, the ruins of the Agora and the
Temple of Apollo are still visible.
The island of Crete displays traces of
Minoan civilization dating to 3000 B.C. at the Palace of Knossos. Rhodes,
largest of the Dodecanese isles, resounds with Crusader history dating to 1309
when the Knights of St. John built the castle here. Santorini features
volcanic-ash beaches and a star-shaped crater.
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HOLLAND
Tulips and windmills and cheese and chocolate are just some of the
attractions in this affordable and compact country where everyone speaks
English.
Amsterdam offers a relaxed atmosphere for
appreciating the beauty and historical significance of hundreds of
17th-century houses along its sparkling canals. Museums showcase the works
of Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer; the Anne Frank House commemorates the
legacy of a family in hiding during WWII.
The royal capital of The Hague is the seat
of government and home to Queen Beatrix.
Tulips, windmills and dikes abound in the
low-lying countryside, most of which is below sea level and is kept from
flooding by a system of canals, mills, locks and dams.
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HUNGARY
Hungary, in Central Europe’s Carpathian Basin, has a distinctive
culture that has drawn travelers for centuries.
The capital, Budapest, is on
UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Hungary’s large reserve of surface
thermal water (second only to Iceland’s) has made it a thriving spa
destination throughout the years. And in northern Hungary is wine country,
famous for brands vinted from late-ripening grapes of high sugar content.
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ICELAND
Iceland, in the mid-Atlantic at the halfway point from the East Coast to
the European continent is a practically jet-lag-free destination. Daily
flights make it easy to get to; the fact that almost everyone there speaks
fluent English makes it easy to get around.
Reykjavik is the northernmost capital city
in the world and features fine dining, a vibrant nightlife and trendy shops
and galleries.
In the countryside, waterfalls and geysers
are the spectacular backdrop to a choice of experiences includng
snowmobiling, horseback riding, dog-sledding and soaking outdoors in
mineral-rich thermal springs.
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IRELAND
Ireland’s mild winters (with plenty of rain) and temperate summers
result in the lush green landscapes associated with the island year-round.
The capital city of Dublin rests in the
valley of the River Liffey, with the Wicklow Hills sheltering it on the
south. In addition to its splendid public buildings, such as Trinity
College where the famous Book of Kells is housed, Dublin is rich in 18th
century architecture, fine museums and theater.
Cork is the largest county in Ireland. Its
long coastline has magnificent scenery, especially in the southwest, where
rocky peninsulas jut into the Atlantic Ocean. Attractions include Blarney
Castle and Cobh, from which port millions of emigrants to the U.S. sailed.
The Ring of Kerry in Killarney is
Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, a 110-mile-long mix of scenic
countryside and picturesque villages.
In Northern Ireland, the town of Derry is
one of the finest walled cities in Europe. Belfast, the capital of Northern
Ireland, is an elegant city whose highlights include the City Hall, Linen
Hall Library, Lagan Lookout and Ulster Museum.
Dublin News
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ITALY
Italy has it all: the arts, gastronomy, fashion, natural beauty, cultural
events and a renowned tourist tradition.
Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan top
visitors’ lists for city stays and offer everything from Roman and
Renaissance history and art to high fashion to opera and more.
The countryside, with its picturesque
villages and cultural festivals, is another popular draw; the warmth and
passion of the people of Italy is appropriate to the temperate climate and
varied geography that ranges from the Alps and Dolomites to the Italian
Riviera and the islands of Sicily and Capri.
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LITHUANIA
Lithuania is the largest and southernmost of the Baltic nations.
The year 2009 will mark a full millennium
since the first mention of Lithuania in historical sources; it has been a
political state
for 750 years.
Forests, rivers, streams and more than
3,000 lakes shape the land, with more than five national and 30 regional
parks.
Vilnius, the capital, is a beautiful old
eastern European town surrounded by wooded hills at the confluence of two
rivers.
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LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg is the only grand duchy in the world, with a history that dates
to the 10th century.
Luxembourg City began as a fortress. Today
visitors can navigate its 12-mile network of underground passageways known
as the Casemates.
Luxembourg offers fine museums, art
galleries, theaters, concert halls, boutiques and particularly fine dining:
the Grand-Duchy has more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than any
other country in the world.
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MALTA
Malta is actually an archipelago made up
of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino. The Knights of St. John fortified
the Grand Harbour at Valletta, in the Mediterranean, in the mid-16th
century.
Valletta’s sights include the Palace
of the Grand Masters and the Armoury, St. John’s Co-Cathedral and
Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of
Archaeology. The Malta Experience is one of Europe's largest multivision
shows.
Shopping specialities throughout Malta
include gold and silver filigree, handmade lace, pottery, glass, ceramics, dolls,
copper and brass articles.
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MONACO
The Principality of Monaco is one square
mile located on the glittering Riviera, bursting with arts and culture,
historical sightseeing, fine dining, upscale hotels, luxury shopping, nonstop
nightlife, soothing spas and the legendary excitement of Monte-Carlo.
The Monaco Government Tourist Office
offers visitors membership in Le Club Diamant Rouge de Monaco, the official
VIP club of the tourist office. For $55,
members enjoy a complimentary helicopter transfer to Monaco from Nice
International Airport (a $75 value), hotel room upgrade (based on
availability) and free entrance to museums and the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
Also offered are restaurant discounts, savings on limousine and car rentals
and special prices on everything from fashion and jewelry to antiques and
entertainment.
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NORWAY
Norway is a country of contrasts, with scenery ranging from fjords to pine
forests to flatlands to glacial mountains. In summer, it is the “Land
of the Midnight Sun”; in winter, it is the “Land of the
Northern Lights.”
Norway offers a varied experience, as
well, from following in the footsteps of the Vikings to riding on a
reindeer-drawn sleigh to hiking, biking and paragliding.
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POLAND
Poland, at the center of Europe, may surprise visitors. Although
characterized geographically by its signature lowland plains, its landscape
includes mountain ranges, freshwater lake districts, primeval forests and
more than 325 miles of seacoast. Its dry continental climate makes for
pleasant and rather temperate weather.
Warsaw, the capital, is full of memorable
attractions including the Old Town, the Royal Castle and the Ghetto
Memorial. Kraków’s spiritual leader, Karol Cardinal Wojtyla,
was elected Pope John Paul II in 1977. Gdansk was the scene of a series of
shipyard strikes in 1980 that gave birth to the Solidarity movement.
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PORTUGAL
A sunny country with diverse geographic features, Portugal is a choice
destination for many vacationers. In fact, according to World Tourism
Organization figures, Portugal ranks 15th worldwide in number of
international visitors.
Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with
Spain and shares that country’s seafaring and exploring heritage, as
well; Portuguese explorers discovered ocean routes to India, Brazil, China
and Japan.
Portugal offers modern tourism facilities,
as well as historic and personalized accommodations, such as turismo de
habitação (less expensive lodging in private homes ranging
from farm houses to manor houses), the privately owned Hotéls de
Charme or the government-operated pousadas.
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ROMANIA
Romania offers a rich tapestry of vacation experiences and tourist
attractions unique in Central-Eastern Europe, including medieval towns in
Transylvania, magnificent architecture in Bucharest, the Danube Delta,
Black Sea resorts and the Carpathian Mountains.
Bucharest, the capital, features wide,
tree-lined boulevards and Belle Époque buildings; it was once known
as “Little Paris.”
Medieval life and peasant culture is still
accessible in the Romanian countryside, with Transylvania perhaps being the
country’s best known province, immortalized in legend, literature and
film as the homeland of Dracula.
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RUSSIA
Russia is full of cultural and historic treasures and beautiful and
unspoiled nature. Russia today is a nation of enormous diversity and
vitality.
For most Westerners, Russia is associated
with its European cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Murmansk, the
heartland of Imperial Russia.
There is much more to Russia, a country
that spans 11 time zones and two continents, ending less than 50 miles from
North America. Within this vast expanse lie the largest freshwater lake in
the world, rivers and forests teeming with fish and wildlife, awe inspiring
volcanos and towering mountains. Russia is the largest country on earth,
with enormous tracts of land, some of which have been opened to travelers
only in the last few years.
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SLOVAKIA
Slovakia’s location at the
heart of Europe and a favorable climate make it a great place to travel. It
is only 266 miles long from east to west, a distance that can be covered in
just one day.
A considerable part of Slovak natural
heritage is protected within nine national parks, mostly in mountainous
regions that have something to offer visitors both summer and winter.
Eighteen Slovak towns have been declared Protected Town Reserves.
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SLOVENIA
Slovenia offers diversity, tucked between mountainous Austria and Italy,
the plains of Hungary, and the warm Adriatic Sea. A mere two-hour drive
separates the rugged mountain peaks from the alluring waters of the sunny
Adriatic and the excellent cuisine and wines of Slovenia’s coastal
region. Slovenia's many thermal and mineral springs are the foundation of
world-renowned natural health resorts and spas.
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SPAIN
History has left its traces everywhere in Spain, a country with a unique
legacy: prehistoric caves, Roman remains, Jewish and Arabic architecture.
The bloom and boom of Roman and Gothic art, followed by fine Baroque and
Neoclassical architecture, are some examples of the diversity that can be
found in Spain.
Thirty Spanish sites are considered World
Heritage sites by UNESCO, contrasting with thriving new trends in
architecture like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao or the City of Arts and
Sciences in Valencia. The art experience in Spain is completed by its
extensive collection of museums.
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SWEDEN
Sweden welcomes visitors with a tremendous variety of events and
experiences, ranging from a peaceful countryside of lakes and forests, and
a long coastline of islands and archipelagoes to the tundra of Lapland.
Stockholm, the capital, straddles 14
islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic. It’s a
walkable city where almost everyone is fluent in English. Beyond Stockholm,
Sweden’s attractions range from the Ice Hotel and the
Sami people’s reindeer roundups in Lapland, to the design trails
in Smaland in the southern part of the country, where world-famous
glassworks like Orrefors and Kosta can be visited.
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SWITZERLAND
Alpine tourism begins in Switzerland, famed for its spectacular mountain
scenery. But its cities have much to offer, too.
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest
city, and, though not its capital, it is the country’s leading
business and financial center. The French-speaking city of Geneva at Lake
Geneva is home to the United Nations European headquarters, as well as a
host of other major international organizations. Lucerne, on an idyllic
lake surrounded by the Alps, is known for its medieval wooden bridge and
its Water Tower. Basel, the northern gateway to Switzerland, borders both
France and Germany and is known as the cultural heart of Switzerland, with
nearly 30 museums, a vibrant art scene, and a marvelously preserved old
town. Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is the home of the Swiss federal
government and parliament.
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