Latest Europe Articles

Golf Destination and Portugal Tourism

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:55:47 -0500

Portugal offers a uniquely diverse and exciting range of cultures, climates, and landscapes. From the sunny white-sand beaches of Algarve, the restful Alentejo, the gorgeous sceneries of the Center and North, the tropical-like Madeira Islands and the one-of-a-kind Azores Islands, Portugal invites you to savor its culture, traditions and friendly people.

Portugal features some of the best golf courses in Europe, great Hotels, historic Pousadas, quaint Manor Houses and a multitude of activities from hiking to sailing.

Lisbon and Porto, spanning centuries of history and culture mixed with contemporary life styles, are world-class cosmopolitan destinations that will leave you longing to return. Book your dream trip to Portugal here or by contacting one of our travel specialists.

World Golf Destination

Enhanced by being on the western edge of the continent, by being possessed of a friendly climate and, paradoxically, by being known for having lagged decades behind Spain in the development of tourism, Portugal has retained an aura of mystery pretty well extinct in her Mediterranean neighbours.

Many golf lovers things Portugal and Spain would be much the same, given the similarity of location. Not so. In Portugal, aside from the inland plains in autumn, the countryside is greener, most of the seaside topography wilder, the temperatures cooler and the people quieter.

International influence has been less pronounced than in Spain. You may eat pizzas all over the Algarve and in Lisbon too; authentic Portuguese cuisine reigns in other parts of the country.

Where to stay is also a matter of choice. On the Algarve, massive hotels cater to those who enjoy them. There are many from which to chose; golf packages to the area usually include accommodation in these hotels. That is, however, not the whole story.

If you look at a map of Portugal and run a pencil along the Algarve, there is barely a centimetre distance between one Tee and the next. Roll comfortably along the EN-125 motorway from Faro and all exits lead to golf. The greatest concentration of Algarve courses are less than an hour away from Faro; there are 25 golf clubs along this particular coastline. Quinta do Lago launched Portugal's reputation as up and running in the holiday resort stakes. It was created to cater for sporty people; it does just that and golf is its paramount attraction. The Quinta do Lago and Ria Formosa courses are the focal point of a 2,000 acre golf and leisure complex. Also set in Quinta do Lago is Pinheiros Altos which features two contrasting halves of the 18 holes, each with diverse and stimulating hazards. San Lorenzo is currently the star at Quinta do Lago. Inaugurated in the late '80s it has been rated the Number 2 course in continental Europe.

Portugal is a joy to play. A great part of the appeal can be traced to the fact that golfers can choose their preferred ambience. Whether it be the hustle and bustle of the Algarve with its coastal attractions, the newly opened Alentejo facility, golf in the mountain air or the courses situated around venerable Lisbon, contrasts in atmosphere are as diverse as the courses themselves.

Portugal Nightlife, Food and Wine

The Portuguese like to party so the clubs and bars are open until dawn. Spot celebs at Vilamoura's marina bars, join in the party at Lisbon's Alcantara docks or listen to haunting fado in a family-run restaurant.

The Portuguese dine late and like to linger over their meals. Typical dishes include bacalhau (salted and sun dried codfish) served countless ways, caldo verde (green cabbage soup), cabrito (roast kid) and seafood cataplana (fish stew).

There are wine-growing regions all over the country, the best known being the Douro in the north, where rich reds and port wine are produced in the cellars of Oporto, the Alentejo and Minho, famous for the white, lightly sparkling venho verde.

Shopping & Touring in Portugal

Colourful markets selling leather goods, embroidery and brightly-coloured hand-painted tiles and ceramics are everywhere. You'll find department stores in Lisbon and large cities.

Hire a car and tour the 'Real Portugal' in the north, staying in a pousada (a building of historic interest) along the way. Head inland to the Alentejo plains or north to the Serra da Estrela mountains.

So - a holiday in Portugal offers a land of fabulous sandy beaches backed by dramatic honey-coloured limestone cliffs and neatly-terraced vineyards producing vintage port and robust wines. Sleepy white-washed villages nestle in the hills not far from the Algarve's holiday resorts while vibrant historic cities bustle with life and brim over with culture and history. With plenty of discount flights to Portugal to be had from all over Europe, now is the time to think of your Portugeuse idyll.

With many tourist attractions, as well as the usual beaches, Portugal offers a new world to explore if you book a holiday to Portugal, either for the renowned sports activities or just for a nice break away from home.

Romanian culture and heritage tourism

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:52:38 -0500

Over the years, Romania has emerged as a popular tourist destination for many Europeans, often competing with Greece, Italy and Tourism in Romania Spain.

Tourism in Romania focuses on the country s natural landscapes and its rich history. The number of Tourism in Romania tourists is growing every year and tourism is becoming an increasingly important source for Romanias GDP with 6-7 million people now visiting yearly.

The beautiful country that is Romania can also boast of a strong cultural heritage. This culture has emerged as a consequence of its distinct geographical features and its eventful history. It is a Latin country, where the flavors of the Roman past are still evident, but on the other hand, it follows the Orthodox Church.

One of the many extraordinary aspects of this country is its vibrant rural culture. For decades the outside world heard little about it. Not that Romania's heritage is simply one of folk art! Bucharest used to be called the "Little Paris", and with good reason, too!

Romanian culture displays the telling influence of both Classical European and Oriental cultures. It is also a country, where pastoral traditions have given birth to a rich and down to earth popular culture. The centres of evolution of urban culture in Romania were churches and the royal courts. Urban culture of the early years generally dwelt around discourses on religion, morals and justice in the monasteries and courts. In the early years of the 18th century, Dimitre Cantemir earned great renown with his writings on the Turkish Empire.

Romanian culture is also spread across the population of the country. Chances are the person on the street will accurately recite from the works of their national poet, Mihai Eminescu. They could possibly relate the plays written by Ion Luca Caragiale, the most renowned of Romanian playwrights. Romanian society of the time with its absurd pomp, noisy hypocrisy and widespread corruption was captured brilliantly by the sardonic pen of Caragiale. His literary works have stood the test of time. They seem even more relevant today, particularly in the context of present day politics in Romania.

Romania destinations such as Constanta and Mamaia (sometimes called the Romanian Riviera) have become very popular among European tourists. Romania has a highly developed tourism infrastructure, making it a good market for tourism-related equipment and services.

Poland Special Days and Fun Holidays

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:49:27 -0500

Poland is located in the central area of Europe. Poland is a great holiday destination which is quite affordable and also it is worth holidaying in Poland during any season of the year.

Poland remains evergreen for the entire year. Czorsztyn pond in Malpolska blossoms during the autumn season which is quite a spectacle. It is ideal for people with a limited holiday budget. Self service accommodation is very reasonable and eating from the outside restaurants will also be quite affordable. Beer lovers have good news as the prices are very cheap of the best beers. Public transportation in Poland is almost free as the fares are very meagre. Poland is a safe place and not too expensive.

One interesting special Poland day is All Soul's Day in November. While it's a common Catholic holiday, in Poland it's strongly observed, and everyone comes to light colored candle jars in front of graves of their loved ones, and also those whose graves are old, dilapidated or forgotten. The spectacle is amazing, and the whole cemetery is flooded in brilliant lights. It's a continuation of a very old ritual dating back a couple thousand years.

Another holiday is Saint John's Kupala, in which people jump over fires, a tradition predating Christianity.

During Wianki (Vyanki) people go to the riverbanks and float wreaths with candles on them on the water. The sight is marvelous there too. If it floats to a woman on the other side, she'll find love. If it circles three times, she'll be unlucky with her love life.

In the city of Wroclaw, there is an annual medieval festival, including jousts, horse archery, medieval dances and other activities.

There's also an event called Smigus Dyngus, celebrated every Easter Monday. Early in the morning, the boys pour water on their friends and family, especially the girls. The girls get to chase the boys with vines and whip them. Massive hydro-chaos ensues with city-wide water fights with balloons and hoses.

Marzenna is when people weave straw dolls and decorate them with ribbons. These represent the end of winter, and the beginning of spring. When the snow starts to melt, they proclaim the beginning of spring and chuck the Marzennas into the river or stream, thus 'killing' the winter.

There's also a load of music festivals (rock and alternative music are especially popular, and also classical, like Chopin), big arthouse film festivals and sports festivals.

Switzerland Holidays - Switzerland Popular Destinations

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:35:24 -0500

Switzerland is Europe in miniature. Only 220 km from north to south and 348km east to west, it has nearly 100 spectacular mountains, many huge glaciers, lakes and rivers, rolling meadows, forests, beautiful fertile valleys, ancients cities, towns and villages all lovingly preserved, possibly the best integrated transport system in the world, and a climate that ranges from alpine to sub-tropical.

Popular Switzerland Destinations

Zurich - Switzerlands most famous and also most popular city. Zurich is a trendsetting city with many top class restaurants and cafes, some of the best shopping in the world along the famous Bahnhofstrasse, a multitude of museums and galleries and many lakeside parks. Other things to see in Zurich are the magnificent Fraumunster Church, Zurich Zoo and indulge your sweet tooth at the famous Lindt and Sprugli chocolate shop.

Geneva - this is Switzelands most cosmopolitan city with the highest percentage of inhabitants from other parts of the world. For the intelectual, Geneva is littered with museums on any and every subject. The city is also home to the united Nations Building and the magnificent Jet d'eau, the 140 meter water fountain which is the tallest in the world and not to be missed.

Basel - the vibey University town of Basel not only has the highest concentration of museums in the world and a huge amount of delicious cafes and restaurants. Visit the Old Town and walk the charming cobblestone streets and view the beautiful medieval buildings. Other attractions include the Botanical Gardens, Munster Church and Basel zoo.

Jungfrau Region - locals will tell you that this is the birth place of skiing. True or not you can take Europe's longest chairlift up the Mannlichen for spectacular views of Eiger, Jungfrau and Manch peaks. The Lauterbrunnen Valley area is known for the 72 waterfalls and is a stunning place to visitwhen you get tired of the ski slopes. Take a train ride on Europes highest railway to get a great feel for the region.

Indeed, Switzerland has many sights waiting to be discovered. Aside from visiting Switzerland tourist attractions, don't forget to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture, too by participating in festivals or simply mingling with the Swiss. You're sure to have a wonderful time and many golden memories to take home with you.

Switzerland is also fun for families with young children as there are a number of activities for them to enjoy - both in Switzerland's cities and its more rural regions. For instance, there are a number of trains - such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Centovalli - which offer rides through some of the most scenic areas of Switzerland.

Switezerland's public transport system is excellent and will be sure to get you wherever you want to go. The Swiss rail network is extremely comprehensive and private railways control the alpine railroutes. Good value for money, buy a Eurorail pass. The Swiss pass gives you access to government-run trains, ferries, busses and private railways.

Attractions of Stockholm - Sweden Travel and Transportation Information

Tue, 25 May 2010 01:09:10 -0500

Stockholm is the capital of the Sweden and a wonderful place for trip. This city is mainly famous for its purity and the feeling of security. There are many beautiful places like peaceful parks, museums, architecture and the amazing nightlife that will really seize away your breathtaking and provides you wonderful experience.

Stockholm retains all the advantages of a big city, yet possesses all the charms of a small town. The city offers a multitude of national cultural institutions - from a wealth of fine museums and theatres to exciting attractions and events for visitors to experience. And due to the city's compact layout, tourists can see and do a great deal in a short amount of time; this makes Stockholm an ideal holiday destination for weekend breaks or extended stays.

Stockholm is a visually stunning city: its water bodies, green belt and stunning architectural landscape make up equal thirds of the city, ensuring amazing views in every direction. Take a tour along Stockholm's countless waterways, stroll through the narrow, medieval streets of Gamla Stan (the 'Old Town'), or simply take delight in its fairy tale palaces. Stockholm's architecture is truly remarkable, with well-preserved medieval structures sitting alongside modern buildings: visit the Storkyrkan Cathedral, the Royal Castle, Stockholm City Hall and the 13th century Riddarholmskyrkan, which is the oldest building in Stockholm.

Enjoy all the entertainment that Stockholm has to offer, from fantastic shopping opportunities to an evening at the theatre. The biggest shopping districts stretch from Hötorget to Gamla Stan, and from Hamngatan, Kungsgatan and Biblioteksgaten to Stureplan. Stockholm is often used as a retail test market by many international companies, as its residents are usually quick to pick up on the latest trends. This is most apparent on the island of Sodermalm, a hub of fashion, culture and entertainment. And when it comes to dining and nightlife, Stockholm is sure to impress; you'll find a range of vibrant restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs in the city centre and beyond. Stockholm also has a range of theatres to visit: the Royal Dramatic Theatre and the Royal Swedish Opera are among Europe's most renowned theatrical venues.

Stockholm Transportation

Stockholm is the central point of the railway system in Sweden. The city has an international airport, Arlanda, and two smaller airports: Bromma and Skavsta.

Stockholm is also an important port, with connections to cities including Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Turku and Tallinn. The main ferry companies are Viking Line, Silja Line and Tallink.

There is a variety of public transport. An underground tunnel system(Tunnelbana) serves the main sites of the city and consists of three lines, tram-trains (Pendeltåg, roslagsbana and saltsjöbana) can join the suburbs over long distances (a hundred kilometers from north to south). There are also trams (tvärbana, nockebybana, lidingöbana and djurgårdslinje), and an extensive bus network. The facilities are owned by the company Storstockholms Lokaltrafik and are operated and maintained by subcontractors such as Veolia Transport. Boat connections are also provided to the archipelago.

Sweden also attracting a lot of college and post college travelers for many reasons. The newest one is the musical influence of Sweden into pop culture. From ABBA to the Cardigans to Roxette, this pop sound is now somewhat a point of attraction for people to visit Sweden. But for whatever reason you chose, visiting Sweden is a lot easier these days and it should be a country worthy of consideration for your next vacation.

Greenland - Information and Fast Facts

Sat, 22 May 2010 01:13:01 -0500

Greenland is a land of snow and ice: Greenland’s giant ice sheet covers an area of nearly 1.8 million square kilometers. The ice sheet has covered large parts of Greenland for the last two to three million years and at its highest point it is around 3000 metres thick, but the ice is melting at an increasing pace.

Located between the Arctic and the Atlantic Oceans, Greenland is the world’s largest island, but it sparsely populated: Greenland’s population is just over 55 000 and mainly Inuit. Around a quarter of the population lives in Greenland’s capital Nuuk. Greenland is part of Denmark but is an autonomous region with its own parliament.

Time to Travel to Greenland:

Greenland has 3 travel seasons: spring, summer, and winter. Spring in Greenland offers lots of dog-sledding in March and April and the capital of Nuuk hosts the Snow Festival. Also, the Arctic Circle Race, the world’s toughest cross-country skiing race, takes place in Sisimiut in spring. Greenlandic summer (May - September) offers sailing and the fjords have melted so travelers can enhoy boat trips to glaciers, settlements and historical sites.

Wintertime in Greenland is for adventurers. If you want to experience the real Arctic nature, then come to Greenland between November and February. At this time of year, better than at any other, you can see the spectacular northern lights (Aurora Borealis) and enjoy long dog-sledding tours and snowmobile excursions during the dark Polar Nights.

Life at Greenland

Greenland's tough climate makes it impossible to grow vegetables or rear farm animals so there’s a long tradition of hunting. The International Whaling Committee recognizes this and it’s only one of four countries allowed aboriginal subsistence whaling.

In remote villages, people eat marine mammals and seabirds at least thirty times a month, consuming about a pound of seal and whale each week. A third of their food is wild animals, the rest is fish. Most people have their own boats and their families eat what they catch.

Restaurants are now recognizing that diners want to eat local food and these items are starting to appear on the menus. Chefs are using wild ingredients to create exciting new dishes.

Greenland Fast Facts

Country name: Greenland
Area: 2,175,600 sq km; estimated 341,600 sq km ice-free, 1,834,000 sq km ice-covered
Population: 56,000
Capital: Nuuk (Godthåb) (pop. 14,000)
People: 87% Greenlander, 13% Danish and others
Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect)
Religion: Evangelical Lutheran, shamanism
Government: Self-governing Danish territory since 1979
Head of State: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Major industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp), handicrafts, furs, small shipyards, tourism
Major trading partners: EU (esp. Denmark), Iceland, Japan, Norway, USA
GDP: US$945 billion
GDP per head: US$16,100
Annual growth: 0.6%
Inflation: 1.2%

Greece Tourism and Tour to Athens

Wed, 19 May 2010 02:37:54 -0500

Greece is a country in southern Europe on the tip of the Balkan Peninsula. It is officially known as Hellenic Republic. Hellas is the historical name of Greece.

Greece borders Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania to the north and Turkey to the east.

The tourism is one of the corner stones of the economy of Greece. The tourism in Greece has grown 50 times in the past 40 years and is expected to surge further in the next 10 years. Greek nature has some thing for everybody's choice ranging from snow covered mountains and dense forest inhabited by brown bears, lynx and deer to thousands of sun drenched islands with sandy beaches.

As the tourism industry is rapidly evolving, Greece is offering a multitude of options for travelers. Many areas offer Agrotourism, which is a way for tourists to get a feel for the real day to day life in the agricultural areas of Greece. Travelers will appreciate the opportunity for an anthropological view of the country, as well as a true respect for the people and culture. Another option, Religious Tourism, grants avenues for exploring the religious history of the chapels, shrines, cathedrals, and other significant monuments throughout the area.

When to Travel to Greece

If traveling in July or August, be prepared for the crowds and hopping night life. Make your reservations early to secure the best possible rates and a place to stay. This is when many college students visit Greece. During May through June or September through October, the weather in Greece is great and it's much quieter. This is a great time to visit islands such as Santorini or Mykonos. You can enjoy many of the beaches without the big crowds. Also, this is a great time for honeymooners!

Tour to Athens, Greece

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is the largest city in Greece with a history spanning back over 3400 years.

The architecture in Athens is a perfect mixture of days long since past and modern times. Take a walk in the historic triangle, and in the old neighborhoods for glimpses of old mansions. Head to Kolonaki to see how the prestigious people of Greece live. Kolonaki is a neighborhood and shopping area hugging Mount Lycabettus, full of cafés, boutiques, galleries and more.

Athens combines modern city life with ancient Greek customs, making it one of the most intriguing places to live and visit in Europe. The city's coastal tram provides easy access to the beaches at Attika. There are many new parks and streets that have been transformed with convenient walking paths. Many of the museums and hotels in Athens have been renovated. Even if you can't see the Olympics in Athens, you can witness where it took place and learn for yourself why so many tourists love Athens. Restaurants, cafes, night life and spectacular events make Athens far from boring any time of the year.

Athens is home to many great people in history, such as philosophers Socrates and Plato. It held the first modern Olympics Games held in 1894. Athens did not host another Olympics Games until 2004. The games are held in the Athens Olympic Stadium also known as the Spiridon "Spiros" Louis Stadium (named after the man to win the first modern Olympic marathon race in 1896). In the 2004 Olympics, all games except the archery competition were held at this stadium. The archery competition and the finish of the Marathon were held at the Panathinaiko or Panathenaic Stadium. This is the only stadium in the world that is built entirely of white marble.

Travelling Turkey - Tips and Destination Guide

Fri, 07 May 2010 13:21:30 -0500

Turkey is a great location located near Greece & Italy. Turkey is in the center of two cultures therefore it's a connection between eastern and western cultures. Turkey is a very modern country with a traditional culture.

The cultural richness of Turkey is related to so many different communities from far back like Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Mongols, Ottomans and many others who left their trays of living there. Also, Turkey has played a big role in the development of three major religions Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The consequences of that makes this country unique, people of three religions lived and worked together side by side and a culture that they left behind.

Turkey also has an impressive and diverse geography. You will be able to enjoy the sunflower fields in Thrace, the beautiful beaches on the coasts, the vistas in Instanbul and the lunar landscapes of the Gerome Valley.

Turkey is a very beautiful country that is a very popular destination for many Europeans. The country's affordability, sunshine, beaches, activities, landscape and its' history, make it a prime spot to spend time. The accommodations in Turkey are also reasonable and comfortable. You will find many delicious dishes native to the land as well as many restaurants that cater to European tastes.

Istanbul is one of the largest cities of Turkey. If you’ve never been in Turkey, Istanbul is a must. It is one of its own kinds of city in the world that bridges between two continents of the worlds. In Istanbul, you can actually see all the contrasts of Turkey.

Antalya - Named as tourism capital of Turkey, this place has many beautiful beaches. In fact, many of these beaches are counted among the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean. In addition, it also has a rich archaeological heritage. Some of the great architecture in Antalya boasts of Lycian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influences, among the others.

Cappadocia is located in the south eastern part of Ankara. Cappadocia is also a popular tourist destination of Turkey. It is one of the few locations in Turkey that has a fascinating blend of truly magnificent scenery.

Ehesus, another tourist attraction of Turkey has many Greek and Roman. It is the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis.

Turkey offers a wide range of hotels and accommodations for any budget. Major cities such as Ankara and Istanbul offers large international hotels and local establishments as well. If you want to find out the list of hotels ranked by quality, the Ministry of Tourism has an extensive guide available to you. What is also attractive and interesting is that tourists can stay at Ottoman style homes and other historic places.

Located between the European and Asian continents, Turkey's culture is a special mixture of Eastern tradition and Western modernism. Turkey has a strong presence in the area with a magnificent historic, cultural influence and growing economic impact in the area.

Fun Holidays - Destination Finland

Mon, 03 May 2010 23:54:25 -0500

Finland - A country of extreme contrasts; icy winters and golden summers, and vibrant cosmopolitan cities mixed with vast areas of remote wilderness.

Being located at the Arctic Circle, the winters are quite long and snowy while the summer days come for a brief period say two and half months or more wherein the sun simply does not set. Both the winter and the summer seasons in Finland have an idyllic charm of their own with a special set of adventures and activities to enjoy. On wintertime the best bet is Lapland, where one can experience the snow, northern lights, Santa Claus' home and reindeers. In the summertime then the cities such as Helsinki, Turku, Tampere and Oulu are all at their liveliest, though if you want to see the Midsummer's Night (the Sun not setting for some time) then Lapland is once again the best place to go.

Traveling to Finland during summer means you are visiting in the months of June, July and August. Long and warm sunshine filled days beckon you to enjoy all day long. You could spend an entire holiday week in Karelia in Eastern Finland and try out fishing in the Lake Pielinen, quad safari biking in the wetlands of Karelian wilderness, try your hand in cooking Karelian pasties and lots more. Most rejuvenating of them all could be the opportunity to use the spa and sauna almost free or a golf session, a canoeing trip in the lake and lots more.

Finland also seems to produce a very high percentage of racing drivers. Many top rally drivers are often Finns and Formula 1 has also produced a number of well-known Finnish drivers. In recent years, Salo, Raikkonen and Kovalainen are just a few names.

If you are a shopper or concert/museum/culture goer, then those big cities are for you, but if you love hiking, nature things and so on, then it's better to travel to the countryside.

If you would like to ski or try other sports, then Helsinki nor Southern Finland is not for you at all -there is hardly snow in Helsinki at the moment! You can do shopping in Helsinki of course (Stockmann recommended) or perhaps go see a move or a concert, but you have to be over 18 years (preferably older) to get into a bar for a drink. In wintertime Helsinki is not very good place to visit, as tourists tend to have their action in terms of skiing, slalomming and ski-doo riding in Lapland.

Other Finland Tips ::

The currency is euro, taxi rides do not have fixed payments, you pay what the meter shows at the end of your journey. Tipping happens mainly in bars and restaurants.

Finding homes is not always easy, especially in the biggest cities, where also the prices are quite high (especially in the city centre).

As for crimes, Finland is quite a safe place to live in, although one should always use the common sense and not get too drunk and/or not go out too late in the night!

Finland is perfectly located for visiting several other countries if you are looking to do a tour. As well as a city such as Helsinki, you can easily from there travel to places such as Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn (Estonia) and St-Petersburg (Russia). Helsinki really can act as a great central location for visiting this part of the world.

Tour to Holland - Tulip Capital of The World

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:00:47 -0500

Tulip Flower - the symbol of Holland and the tulip capital of the world.

Many tourists visit Holland just to see the bright colored flower and the amazing view of the bulb fields. The flower fields in the west of Holland are at their peak during the months of April and May. There are numerous flower exhibitions held in Holland every year in which tulips form a major part. The Keukenhof in Lisse is the most exciting and colorful spring attraction in Holland, where tulips, along with daffodils, hyacinths and other flowering bulbs, are the main crowd pullers.

If you love Spring, tulips are blooming from mid-April to mid-May. This is your time. The Tulip festival in Holland MI occurs in the first part of May every year. In fact, Tulip Time in Holland, MI is the official celebration of one of the largest Dutch ethnic events in the midwest United States. If you have always wanted to see a close imitation of the Netherlands, visit Holland, MI to see beautiful tulip fields in full bloom.

The best tulip bulb fields can be found in Keukenhof near Lisse and is considered the world's largest flower garden and the 'Garden of Europe'. The largest flower auction in the world is also located in the Netherlands, particularly in the city of Aalsmeer while the Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam is the world's only floating flower market. Flower festivals are held in different places at different times of the year while the Floriade, the largest international flower exhibit, is held every ten years.

You can wander downtown Holland on 8th Street and view the many attractive settings and plantings of flowers. There are window boxes of colorful tulips along the quaint shops, rings of tulips around statues, small gardens and planters in cubby holes. Then, drive along the eight miles of curbside flowers planted throughout the city. You can get some inspiring ideas for creating and enhancing your own garden at home.

Plan to make your Spring a joyful one; visit the tulip festival in Holland MI. This is a very busy festival, so make sure to get all the information you need to plan a successful visit.

Holland also offer fun for the entire family. Tourists are guaranteed abundant entertainment and will be amazed at the numerous theme parks, zoos and nature parks which promise a terrific day out. For many, however, the reason to travel to Holland is the presence of world-class museums and galleries. Among the 1,000 odd museums, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum are the most famed ones.

Visiting Vienna - Music and Cultural Tour

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:47:30 -0500

Austria is one of Europe's most well-known tourist destinations due to its historic cities, magnificent mountain panoramas and superior ski resorts.

Austria's musical heritage draws each year thousands of music lovers from all around the world. Austria hosts a great range of music festivals, for all tastes and ages. The cinematic culture of Austria should not be ignored. A curious tourist might uncover great things about the Austrian cinema.

Vienna is one of the largest city of Austria - it also serves as the country's cultural center, showcasing some of Europe's finest art and classical music. Vienna is in the east of the country of the river Dnaube. It is also an administrative district. Many old buildings, churches and museums are there in this city. In Vienna , Classical music and opera are very famous.

Cultural Vienna : Vienna's cultural offerings do not end with music and architecture - the city is also home to a number of world-class galleries that celebrate the national art scene.

A number of works by Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, some of which were originally commissioned for display in the city's public buildings, can be found in the Museum of Applied Arts and Belvedere.

Vienna's Belvedere also has a collection by controversial 20th century artist, Egon Schiele, who was renowned for his private pornographic material as much as his major pieces.

Other major galleries in the city include the Museum of Applied Arts and the Moya Museum of Young Art.

Vienna - World Capital of Music : Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss, Beethoven - these are just some of the famous classical composers who were born or lived in Austria, particularly Vienna, which is why it comes as no surprise that Vienna has earned the designation of being the world's Capital of Classical Music. Here, you can listen to their compositions played by one of the world's best orchestras, the Vienna Philharmonic, the same orchestra they once collaborated with, or easily watch a world-class opera.

Vienna is a romantic city with rich heritage. It is ideal for couples looking for a romantic experience, or for families looking to have fun excursions. A important aspect of Austria is the fact that here people put great emphasis on respect. You may see that Austrians can be very pushy while in public. People generally take this as extremely unfriendly. Don't let yourself be tricked by this; it's a sign of simplicity and formality, two very appreciated qualities in Austria.

Austria is a great place to visit. If you ever get the opportunity of taking a trip to Austria, don't have any doubts. Just pack your bags and book a flight to this great country. You will definitely be left speechless by its beauty, its people and its attractions.

Greece - Eating Out and Popular Drinks

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:32:29 -0500

Beautiful Greece and its wonderful islands, with its pretty little rural villages and hilltop monasteries and a cuisine that is entrenched in its long and turbulent history.

You will enjoy and appreciate the traditional Greek kitchen with its simple preparations, seasonal ingredients and flavours and a table spread with natural food at their peak of flavour and freshness.

Mezethakia (appetizers) served with pita bread are an excellent introduction to the traditional Greek kitchen.

There is, for example, tzatziki (yoghurt dip flavoured with garlic, cucumber and mint), taramasalata (cods roe blended with breadcrumbs, olive oil and lemon juice), melitzanosalata (eggplant), skordalia (garlic dip) and, dolmades (stuffed vine leaves with rice, meat and spices) and served hot or cold.

You can choose from fried kalamari (squid) octopus or oysters. There is lamb, chicken or prawn souvlakia and char-grilled quail.

Or, you may want to try the tiropita triangles (flaky pastry filled with cheese), spanakopita (spinach pie) or pan-fried haloumi or saganaki (slices of fried cheese).

Main course dishes include popular char-grilled and spit-roasted meats and seafood platters served with the usual accompaniments of bread, vegetables and the traditional Greek salad.

Greece also, has an excellent range of alcoholic drinks to choose. Ouzo, the national drink is usually served in small jugs along with a glass of water or, you might prefer retsina which goes well with the traditional Greek diet.

Popular drinks in Greece ::

Coffee: The unofficial national drink is coffee. Everybody starts their day with it, have a couple of cups while working and maybe go out in the afternoon with friends to get another one.

Older people drink traditional greek coffee. Young people drink frape (iced cold nescafe), nescafe (hot) and nowdays Espresso and Fredo are very popular when you go to coffee shops. In the office most drink filter coffee or frape.
Tea is not that popular.

Soft Drinks: The usual: Coca Cola, Sprite, Pepsi, Fanta etc, you can find them everywhere and people drink it with their meals

Alcoholic drinks: Greeks drink lots of wine, usually with dinner or at friend gatherings. When they go out to bars/clubs many drink beer (Heineken and Amstel are the more popular but you get imported beers as well like Stella, Bud etc). Also Tequila, Gin, Vodka, Whiskey (especially during the winter) etc.

The traditional spirits: Ouzo, raki, tsipouro etc are also popular especially with "meze" (snacks like cheese, salad, small sausages, meatballs, fish etc).

So, to put them in order :::

Day drinks: Coffee (by far), Coca Cola, Ouzo (I know it's alcohol but it's a day drink with snacks)

Going out/party drinks: Gin, beer, Tequila, Vodka, Whiskey

Going out to dinner: Wine, beer, soft drinks

Home gatherings: wine, beer

EXPLORE Copenhagen - The Danish Capital

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:12:04 -0500

Denmark is one of the greenest countries in the world. The Danish government has made the preservation of the environment one of the most important issues. Because of these national policies, they have some of the cleanest cities in the world, and the air is fresh and crisp nearly everywhere.

Denmark is filled with all kinds of interesting small cities. Of the 20 largest cities in Denmark, only six cities have a population of over 100,000. This means that in almost any part of the country, you can find interesting cities that will have historical value, interesting attractions and a relaxed attitude towards visitors.

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark. It is marked by a number of church steeples. The Copenhagen Zoo is another interesting tourist place in Denmark where you will find a number of tropical birds and animals. The Copenhagen Zoo is special in its own way and will give you a memorable experience. The Little Mermaid at the entrance of the city of Copenhagen is another famous place to visit. The Little Mermaid is a statue of a mermaid and has a height of 3.3 feet only. The Botanic Garden of Copenhagen will interest not only Botany students but also family people who would like to have a walk in the park with their loved ones.

EXPLORE Copenhagen : If you have a number of days - you will not regret it. This makes it possible for you to explore the central part of Copenhagen by walking. This will probably give you the most enjoyment and you will have the best chance to absorb the atmosphere of the Danish capital and the Danes' way of behaving. Firstly you will remark the lots and lots of bicycles of the streets of Copenhagen.

You will remark that Copenhagen is still free of skyscrapers, and the old classic buildings with green roofs and many spires are covered by corrugated cobber and give Copenhagen a special charm. The public transportation system is very good with yellow busses, the subway, called the S-train, and a Metro-line, and Copenhagen is very suitable for pedestrians.

In many places in Copenhagen you will find water, as channels, or lakes, or to the coast (harbour) towards the Sund. The water creates many nice sights and places you can rest and enjoy the local people.

Copenhagen also has a number of safe and attractive green parks and the admission to the Botanical garden is free, just near one of the main stations.

Other obvious places to visit in Copenhagen are Glyptoteket, next to Tivioli. Glyptoteket, full name Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek has outstanding collections of antic art and have a attractive small café, too.

On your route though the main walking street, Strøget, you will at at Kongens Nytorv and from there you can easily visit Nyhavn ('New Harbour') that was a sailors' amusement area, but now is a very attractive place for tourists and Danes enjoying a beer and the good atmosphere.

From Nyhavn you can walk to the living place of the royal family at Amalienborg, a rather small but charming castle build around a large open square. On Sundays the Royal Garde will march and play back and forth to Amalienborg from their residence near the mentioned castle Rosenborg.

Copenhagen has many other attractions, one of the most visited in recent years has been the are Christiania, called a social experiment with many alternative ways of living and organising local inhabitants. You might have to hurry up to Christiania, as the part of Copenhagen is now becoming more mainstream like other parts of Copenhagen.

And from Copenhagen you will have easy access to most of the remaining parts of Denmark, e.g. visiting the house of the fairy teller Hans Christian Andersen in Odense or Legoland in Billund. With train you can easily cross the water to visit Sweden with the city Malmoe in half an hour from Copenhagen Central Station.

TRAVEL Language : The main language is Danish, but most Danes (younger generations) speak reasonably good English. If you plan for a long trip, learning a bit of Danish would be a good idea, since you will (naturally) meet a lot of Danish people, and some words / sentences / jokes are often lost in translation.

TRAVEL Notes : Like any capital city, there are so many different nationality's, that you will blend in, Denmark is one of the few countries that people can walk around safely, even on their own, but the influx of some nationalities has made an increase in pick pockets. so look after your bags.

You will have a great time there is loads to do, and lots to see. Get out of Copenhagen, and see the other parts of Denmark, specially Legoland, if you have children.

Travel Germany - Beautiful Cities and Transportation

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:25:29 -0600

Germany is one of the major countries in the European continent that is rich in its scenery, tourism, and historical tourism, places that become a magnet for all people to visit. Germany has dozens of beautiful cities and offers a variety of entertainment, tours and performances.

Berlin is one of biggest and busiest city in Germany. Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Berlin is rich of cultural politics and scientific life. Besides it is a modern city, Berlin also has many beautiful places and interesting attractions to be visited by the tourists.

Frankfurt is famous of cultural diversity. In this city you can enjoy a variety of important exhibitions in world class standard. This city has a lot of theater art show.

Bremen is one of the port cities in Germany. When you visit Bremen you can find many attractions which are rich in art and history.

Hamburg is the largest port city in Europe and it is the second metropolis city in Germany. As a modern metropolis city, Hamburg is rich in buildings of modern buildings, shopping centers and restaurants that are fan luxury and elegant restaurant.

It is so wonderful to have a tour around Germany, where you will find the well-balanced mix of modernity and lush country sides, but it is only wonderful when you have a car during you tour, so if you want to be safe and get all the fun and comfort that you want, try to get a car at the very beginning of your tour in Germany, in fact it is very easy to get a car rental in Germany now.

Due to the fact that Germany is an industrial country, you will find that it is hard to get communicate with them fluently in English, so it is highly recommended that you try to find a good, reputable and affordable car rental for Germany, before you begin your trip.

It is also desirable that you should try to use a map in order to define the places that you intend to visit during your trip, while doing this you can make some kind of comparison which will help you know if it is better to you to use a car rental during your trip in Germany or it will be cheaper if you use the mass transportation cars.

Public Transportation in Germany

Taxi cabs can be found around any airport or public location. If you walk up to a taxi parking area and there is a row of taxi cabs go to the front vehicle first.

Street cars were the first mode of public transportation in Germany. Street cars make frequent stops and have a map layout of each stop.

German train system is effective. When entering a train station (Bahnhof) you will need to purchase a ticket from the machine. You can only buy a train ticket with EUR but you can use any denomination below 20 including coins or bills. Simply select your destination from the list shown, enter the destination number and push the 'Einzelfahrt' button. Your change will fall along with your ticket to the tray. If you are planning to travel by train from Frankfurt to Paris, for example, you may choose to use the ICE train.

ICE train is designed to get you from point A to point B much faster than a normal train. ICE trains are a little more expensive but may be the smart way to travel if you are planning inter-country travel in Europe.

Ireland beach adventure, nature trips, history and places to visit

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:05:37 -0600

Ireland is known globally to be the ideal and ultimate vacation getaway, more visitors are coming over to revel in a spectacular escapade in this country. As this maybe the case, rest assured this dazzling adventure spot still has enough room for you and your friends to stay.

Everyone wants to come in Ireland not only for a beach adventure and nature trips but to experience golf in its finest courses as well. Like to strike a club? It is definitely worth an experience to try the most famous golf courses in Ireland. At a leisurely pace or an intense level, the scenery in these courses is not to be missed.

Do you ever have an inclination for history ? Then, Ireland is a unquestionably paramount destination to visit. The National Museum of Ireland has its door always opened for a blast from the past experience with bygone century’s relics and remains. This Ireland’s remnants exhibition may be seen in three places in Dublin: Collins Barracks, Kildare Street and Merrion Street. One branch of the museum lies in Co. Mayo. Relive the glory that was Ireland in these museums.

The most inviting factor that Ireland is proud of is the warmth of its welcome and the hospitality its people extends to its guests. Where else in the world can you see a pretty charming smile from everyone you meet? It is a hallmark unique to Ireland.

Some other good places you can visit in Ireland...

Cliffs of Moher - These cliffs are truly stunning; they’re one Ireland's most spectacular sights!

Giants Causeway - Known to the Irish as the 8th wonder of the world, this is Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark.

Newgrange - This is a Pagan burial ground that was built around 3200 BC.

Dun Aengus- No trip to Ireland would be complete without visiting the west coast and the mystical Aran ...

Glendalough - Glendalough, known as "the valley of the two lakes" or the “city of the seven churches” is an ...

Phoenix park - The Phoenix Park is the largest urban enclosed park in Europe and one of the largest city parks ...

Clonmacnoise - Dating back almost 1,500 years, Clonmacnoise is one of Ireland?

The Céide Fields - Over five thousand old, The Céide Fields are the oldest known field systems in the world; ...

The National Stud - Established in 1946, this is one of Ireland’s major tourist attractions.