Europe

Greece

Athens. The city with the most glorious history in the world, a city worshipped by gods and people, a magical city. The enchanting capital of Greece has always been a birthplace for civilization. It is the city where democracy was born and most of the wise men of ancient times. The most important civilization of ancient world flourished in Athens and relives through some of the world's most formidable edifices.

Who hasn't heard of the Acropolis of Athens? Photos and history of the most famous archaeological monument in Europe have made the world tour causing feelings of admiration by thousands of people. Acropolis is nominated to be one of the 7 wonders of modern world. In fact the trademark of Athens is one of the favorites. The Holy Rock of Acropolis dates back to the 5th BC, the famous Golden Age of Periklis. Athens met times of bloom and decline, but still shines under the Attic sky gazing the future. Still sparkling like the marbles of Parthenon and the limpid white of Pentelic marble.

Athens is situated in the prefecture of Attica and extends to the peninsula that reaches up to Central Greece. It is surrounded by mountains Ymmytos, Pendeli and Parnitha, northwards and eastwards, and the Saronic gulf southwards and westwards. The sun is shining over Athens all year round. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few kilometers from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica.

Athens is constantly inhabited since Neolithic Age. The 5th century was the time of its ultimate bloom, when moral values and civilization surpassed city limits and became the mother land of western civilization. In the centuries that followed, many conquerors tried to take over Athens. In 1834 Athens was chosen to be the capital of the newly established Greek State. The city that now hosts more than 4,5 million people, was constructed around the Acropolis walls. Today it is the political, social, cultural, financial and commercial center of Greece.

Athens is a city of different aspects. A walk around the famous historic triangle (Plaka, Thission, Psyri) the old neighborhoods, reveal the coexistence of different eras. Old mansions, well-preserved ones and other worn down by time. Luxurious department stores and small intimate shops, fancy restaurants and traditional taverns. All have their place in this city.

The heart of Athens beats in Syntagma Square. Where Parliament and most of the Ministries are. Monastiraki, Kolonaki and Lycabettus Hill attract thousands of visitors all year round. A few kilometers from the historic center in Faliro, Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni, you can enjoy the sea breeze. Or you can head up north and enjoy the fresh air at the more classy neighborhoods of Marousi, Melissia, Vrilissia and of course Kifisia.

Athens and Attica in general have the most important archaeological monuments (Acropolis, Odeion of Herodes Atticus, Olymbion, Roman Market, Panathinaiko Stadium or Kallimarmaro, The Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, etc). In the capital you will admire many imposing neoclassic buildings, true ornaments of the city (The Greek Parliament, Athens Academy and University, etc). Don't miss visiting the museums hosting unique treasures of our cultural inheritance (Archaeological Museum, Military Museum, Byzantine Museum, etc).

Athens has always attracted peoples' attention. During the 2004 Olympic Games proved that, despite all the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, she never - not once - lost the talent. The return of Olympic Games to their birthplace was a great success.

The capital is famous, more than any other European capital, for its nightlife. Athens by night totally changes. The options for entertainment satisfy all tastes. The famous "bouzoukia" are the leaders in the Athenian entertainment. While the numerous theaters all around Athens offer a different type of entertainment. Athens is a divine city. Let it enchant you...

Go to http://www.athens.world-guides.com/

Cres Island - Croatia

Croatia can be classified as a Pannonian-Adriatic country due to its Central European and Mediterranean position. In terms of International law, the traditional heritage has moved from a Middle Age Princedom (791-924 A.D.) and Kingdom (925-1102) to its current standing as the Republic of Croatia, declared on June 25, 1991.

Vegetation cover is very diverse. Forests make up 36% of the surface area. In the continental regions, the dominant forests are English oak, hornbeam, beech, and fir.

The coastal belt and islands are characterized by alpine pine, downy oak, white and dark hornbeam and dense evergreen underbrush. Rivers belong to the Black Sea (62%) and Adriatic (38%) drainage basins.

General information

Geographic location: Croatia extends from the footof the Julian Alps in the Northwest and the Pannonian plain to the east, overthe Dinara mountain range in the central part to the Adriatic coast in theSouth.

Area: 56,542 2, along with 31,0672 ofterritorial waters

Population: 4.437.460

Capital city: Zagreb (779.145 inhabitants -administrative, cultural, academic and traffic center of the country)

Shoreline length: 5,835km - including islands,islets and cliffs

Number of islands, islets and cliffs: 1,185. Thelargest islands are Krk and Cres. 67 islands are inhabited.

Climate: Northern Croatia has a continental climate;central Croatia has a mountain climate of variable intensity. The wintertemperatures range from -1 °C to - 30 °C in the mountain zone, from 0 °C to 5 °Cin the continental area and from 5 °C to 10 °C on the coast. The summertemperatures range from 22 °C to 26 °C in the continental part of the country,from 15 °C to 20 °C in the mountain area and from 26 °C to 30 °C on the coast.

Population: Croats make up most of thepopulation. National minorities are Serbs, Bosnians, Italians, Hungarians,Albanians, Slovenians, Czechs, Slovaks, and so on (according to the Bureau ofStatistics for 2001).

Official language and script: Croatian language andLatin script

Religion: Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Muslims, Jews,Protestants and others

Currency: The Croatian currency is the Croatian kuna(abbreviation kn, international abbreviation HRK). The kuna consists of 100 lipa(lp).

Time zone: Croatia lies in the GMT +1 zone. The zonechanges to GMT +2 as of the last Saturday in March and lasts until the last Sunday inOctober.

For more link to: http://www.croatiatouristcenter.com/

Istambul - Turkey

First of all, Istanbul is in Turkey. Turkey is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in Southwestern Asia and the Balkan region of Southeastern Europe. Turkey borders eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Iran and the Nakhichevan exclave of Azerbaijan to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. In addition, it borders the Black Sea to the north; the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara to the west; and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

İstanbul encloses the southern Bosphorus which puts the city on two continents – the western portion of Istanbul is in Europe, while the eastern portion is in Asia. The city boundaries cover a surface of 1,539 square kilometers. The Metropol region, or the province of Istanbul, has an area of 5,220 square kilometers.

The unique location of the city, being between two continents, is what made Istanbul an important city in the history and today. Due to its strategic location straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey has been a historical crossroad between eastern and western cultures.

Population : 10.034.830 [1] (2006)

Area : 1.538,77 km²

Population density : 6521 inh./km2

Currency : New Turkish Lira (YTL)

The largest city of Turkey, in the northwest part of the country on both sides of the Bosporus at its entrance into the Sea of Marmara. Founded c. 660 B.C. as Byzantium, it was renamed Constantinople in A.D. 330 by Constantine the Great, who made it the capital of the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine, Empire. The city was sacked by Crusaders in 1204 and taken by the Turks in 1453. Istanbul was chosen as the official name in 1930. Population: 11,800,000.

Common misknowledge is that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey, where the fact is Ankara is the capital, yet Istanbul is the biggest city. According to 2000 Census, the population is 8,803,468 (city proper) and 10,018,735 (metro area), making it the second largest city in Europe. The census bureau estimate for July 20, 2005 is 11,322,000 for the province, which is generally considered as the metropolitan area, making it one of the twenty largest metropolitan areas in the world.

İstanbul's Atatürk Airport is Turkey's largest and busiest. Any number of popular regular services from the Middle East, the USA, Australia and Europe land here. Although the city's major airline, İstanbul Airlines, went bust, the main domestic carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), has regular flights to major European and Asian cities. Another smaller airport, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, some 50km east of the Old City on the Asian side, is becoming increasingly popular with cheap airlines. The price of your air ticket will usually cover the airport departure tax.

Ataturk Airport is 23km (14mi) west of Sultanahmet. A taxi into the city centre is the quickest option; it takes around half an hour. A cheaper option is to catch the LRT (Light Rail Transit) from the airport to Zeytinburnu, from where you connect with the tram that takes you directly to Sultanahmet. Another cheap option is to take an airport bus, which costs around EUR4.5 and takes 35-60 minutes to get to Taksim Square. If you are heading for Sultanahmet, get out at the Yenikapı stop beneath the underpass.

A number of local bus companies service other European destinations, but these services are slower and often more expensive than the equivalent flights. Within Turkey, bus is the most widespread and popular way of getting around; they go literally everywhere, all the time. The main bus station, the otogar, is a town in itself, with 168 ticket offices, restaurants, mosques and shops. Buses leave here for domestic and international routes. There's also a bus station on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus at Harem. Currently train is the least preferred option for international visitors travelling to Turkey, as the services are generally slower, but it's becoming increasingly popular for those with time to burn and a love for a journey. The main station is Sirkeci, and there's also Haydarpaşa station on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus.

Driving through Turkey is becoming more popular too. You can bring a car over on a ferry from Italy or Greece; however, you'll find yourself docking in İzmir or Çeşme rather than İstanbul. Car and passenger ferries operate fairly regularly around the Turkish coastline - book your trip well in advance, as they're popular.

Get more, at:

http://www.istanbul-travel.net/

Nice - French Riviera

Nice is just a delight, with its flower market, gorgeous coastline, sipping drinks mere feet from the Mediterranean, great shopping and delightful pastries. Articles & Resources

Top Daytrips from Nice, FranceNice, France's second-largest city and a dignified queen of the Cote d'Azur, certainly has plenty to offer the tourist. Still, this area of France is filled with wonderful hilltop perched villages, upscale resort cities, an independent principality and neighboring Alps villages. It's also just a short jaunt to Italy. Find out the best daytrips from Nice so you can maximize your vacation time.

Top Nice, France Attractions

Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco façades. But there are several spots that a tourist simply must see, such as the Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, ancient Roman ruins, the Russion Cathedral and more. Find out about the top attractions in Nice, France.

Walking Tour of Nice's Cours Saleya Flower Market
One of Nice's lushest attractions is the Cours Saleya Flower Market, a cornucopia of ripe produce, sidewalk cafés, souvenir shops and, yes, flowers simply bursting with colors. Find out the best way to navigate through the mass of humanity that is the Nice Flower Market.
Nice: Before You Go

Nice is a wonderful French Riviera city, and a popular destination for couples, honeymooners and sun-worshipers. Find out all the basics of a Nice vacation, including what to do, what to see, where to stay, great day-trips and how to get around.
Guide to Nice's Outdoor Markets

One of Nice's most divine pleasures is wandering the outdoor markets along the Cours Saleya. Blooms of every color and shape burst to life. Row after row of spices beckon. There are grapes the size of golf balls and olives glimmering in the sun. Fresh fish are stacked in icy display cases. Find out more about planning a visit to the markets.

Mardi Gras, or "Carnaval," in Nice

The Carnaval in Nice is a wild 10-day celebration featuring daily parades, concerts, street theater and more. Dating back to the Middle Ages, people from around the globe have been descending on this gorgeous French Riviera city each year to cut loose.

More About Nice -French Riviera: http://gofrance.about.com/

Arhus - Denmark

Århus is situated in a green valley surrounded by woods and beaches - in fact a typically beautiful East Jutland landscape.

The original city grew up around the mouth of the Århus Å river. Here the Vikings decided to settle because of the location's excellent potential as a harbour and trading position. The Danish word for "river mouth" was at that time "AROS", and this is the word from which "Århus" of today originates. During the Viking Age a cluster of houses along the river up to Immervad and down to the Mejlgade street constituted a small urban community encircled by an earthen rampart and a moat.

In 1201 the foundation stone for the Cathedral was laid, and the city started to expand outside the original area. During the Middle Ages until the Reformation in 1536, it was the urban life around the cathedral which was the central element of the town. After the Reformation the large merchants' houses gradually began to form the pivotal point for life and trade in the town, but it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that the actual expansion of Århus into the city we know today began to take place.

In 1847 a major expansion of the harbour was begun. This work was completed in 1861 which coincided with the opening of the first section of the railway line in Jutland between Århus and the town of Randers in 1862. Århus thus became an important centre for goods and transport, thereby forming the basis for the development of the city into Denmark's second-largest city with the country's second-largest harbour.

Today Århus has a population of approximately 300,000 inhabitants, a very active business community, a vibrant educational environment consisting of a number of different institutions of higher education, including the University of Aarhus, which means that there are many young people contributing to the life and vibrancy in the city and its continued growth. The city has a wealth of excellent restaurants, a fascinating café environment, and a rich musical culture with the Concert Hall, the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, and the Danish National Opera counting among its many offers. Other exceptional features include a wide range of excellent heritage museums, such as the Old Town and the Moesgård Museum, and a treasure trove of fascinating shops.

From the original Viking settlement Århus has today become a modern, vibrant city which offers visitors the chance to experience its glorious past as well as the throbbing pulse beat and pace of the present.
Århus is a city of growth. With a population of more than 300,000, Århus is Denmark's second largest city. It is at heart, however, also Denmark’s youngest city when you consider the average age of its habitants which is far lower than anywhere else in the country. At the University of Aarhus alone there are nearly 35,000 students, and there is a total of 25 educational and research institutions in the city. But Århus is also a city with clearly visible roots, founded, as it was, by the Vikings in the 8th century.
One 5-star, seven 4-star and one 3-star attraction - this is what Århus and the surrounding countryside can offer. There is everything from animals from all corners of the world at the Randers Rainforest (*****); the Ree Park Ebeltoft Safari (****); the Kattegat Centre in Grenaa (****); the Scandinavian Wildlife Park in the middle of Djursland (****); fascinating stories from the old days in The Old Town in Århus (*****);

The Danish Agricultural Museum at the Manor of Gl. Estrup (****); and the old man-of-war 'Fregatten Jylland' in Ebeltoft (****). There is also fun, excitement and a splendid time to be had at the Djurs Sommerland amusement park (*****), and the Tivoli Friheden amusement park in Århus (****).
Only 20 minutes between the stars

The nine attractions are situated close to each other – it takes no more than 20 minutes by car from one to the next. On the other hand each of them has so much to offer that you really ought to spend an entire day at each attraction. You can buy a package deal including transport – with a return on the MolsLinien ferry; accommodation including a breakfast buffet at a Scandic Hotel; and admission to two of the nine attractions of your preference.

Go for more information: http://www.visitaarhus.com/

Austria: Vienna Cultural Attractions

There are few cities in the world more renowned for classical arts and culture than Vienna. Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Johann Strauss all worked in the Austrian capital, and Schubert was born here. Vienna is a world of 17th and 18th century music, and continues to this day to host some of the premier classical music and artwork in the world.
One of the best times of year for music lovers to visit Vienna is during the ball season in January and February each year. During this time, many glamorous, baroque balls are held at some of the city’s most magnificent venues, from the Hofburg to the Rathaus and the State Opera, and you can waltz the night away in the city where the dance was invented.

Golden statue of Johann Strauss, the inventor of the Waltz.

Music lovers won’t have any trouble finding a classical concert to attend at any time of year. The center of Vienna’s musical culture is the Musikverein, a 19th century concert hall that has some of the finest acoustics in the world. The Musikverein hosts numerous concerts throughout the year, including regular performances by the Vienna Symphony, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Mozart Orchestra. Completed in 1913, the Vienna Konzerthaus is the city’s second foremost musical venue, with its incredible art nouveau architectural flourishes.
Opera is another long standing Viennese tradition, and the Vienna State Opera and the Theatre an der Wein are two places to see world-class opera here. The Volksoper is much smaller and hosts a variety of stage performances and operettas, while the Vienna Chamber Opera is the place to go if you want to see a rare opera or a local production.

The State Opera House in Vienna. One of the world's top opera companies.

Art lovers are also spoiled for choice in Vienna, a city with more than 100 museums, many of them situated in the renowned MuseumsQuartier. This artistic complex is home to such institutions as the Leopold Museum – home to a wonderful collection of Austrian modern art, the Kunsthalle – a center of contemporary art, and the Museum of Modern Art. If you prefer more classic works of art, the Kunsthistorisches Museum (also known as the Museum of Fine Arts) houses numerous incredible paintings by European artists like Raphael, Rubens, Rembrandt and Dürer and is located inside the Hofburg.

A staircase in the Kunsthistorisches (Fine Arts) Museum.

Your first stop in Vienna should undoubtedly be the Hofburg, Vienna’s sprawling imperial palace that has been the seat of government since the 1200s. The Hofburg was home to rulers of both the Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian Empires, and is now the President of Austria’s official residence. The Hofburg consists of numerous buildings, wings and gardens, and in addition to several museums, also houses the infamous Spanish Riding School, where you can take in a dazzling performance by the elegant riders aboard their pure white Lipizzaner stallions.

The Hofburg Palace has museums and the Spanish Riding School.

At the Belvedere you can visit both a stunning baroque palace and a fantastic art museum, which houses works dating from the Middle Ages to modern day. Included among them are several important works by Gustav Klimt, including one of his most famous paintings, “The Kiss”. Meanwhile, if prints, photography or architecture interest you, the Albertina Museum houses a key collection of each, as well as several collections of impressionist paintings.

The Belvedere Palace art museum houses paintings by Gustav Klimt.

For something a little different, make for the Fantasy Art Museum. One of Vienna’s lesser-known contributions to the world of art, the Fantasy Art Realism genre of the 20th century portrays fantastical, dreamlike and surreal images through paintings and sculpture. Both are on display at this museum, which houses works by the most important artists of the genre, including Ernst Fuchs, Arnulf Rainer, Rudolf Hausner, Arik Brauer and Curt Stenvert.
Vienna is not a difficult city in which to find fantastic eats and drinks. In fact, it is positively brimming over with good food and fine wines, many of which are produced within the city itself. In fact, Vienna is one of the few metropolises in the world to actually produce a notable amount of wine within its own city limits, which has led to the rise of the heurige, or wine taverns. These cozy Viennese cellar-cafes reflect the old world charm of Vienna in their worn wooden tables and dusty windows that often overlook the actual vines on which the wines you drink are grown. The villages of Oberlaa and Hernals in the south part of the city, or Vienna Woods to the northwest are easy-to-reach and famous for their collection of cozy wine taverns.

A glass of white wine next to some grape vines at a vineyard near Vienna.

Vienna is also known the world over for its culture of grand cafes. In these capacious, old world coffeehouses, you can sip a strong Viennese coffee (double espresso and whipped cream) or indulge in a rich cake, such as the Sachertorte, a dense chocolate cake made famous by the chefs at the Hotel Sacher.
On the food front, Vienna is packed with restaurants that serve a range of specialties, from down-home Viennese fare to upscale international cuisine and gourmet delights. Many of these are situated in the Innerstadt (city center), and there are also plenty of up market bars and music venues to provide evening entertainments here.
To get away from the many tourists and sometimes-generic food of the Innerstadt, make for the trendy neighborhood of Neubau, also known as the 7th district, located west of the city center. Here, many old Spittelberg houses have been renovated into classy boutiques, wine bars and restaurants, and its leafy avenues make it a great place to simply stroll until you find someplace that suits you.
Just south from Neubau, the 6th district – Mariahilf – is another place to escape the tourist crowds at the Naschmarkt, the area’s well known fruit and vegetable market, where you can find incredible fresh cheeses, produce, breads and more. There is also a nearby flea market, the Flohmarkt, which is a good place to procure antiques and funky finds. The streets in and around this district are also crammed with small, quirky eateries and pubs for those with a bent for adventure.

Vegetables for sale at the Naschmarkt fruit and vegetable market.

Vienna is not a small city, by any stretch of the imagination, and the question of where to stay is compounded by the fact that many of the city’s main attractions are spread all over the place, rather than confined to one particular area. That said, almost every district of Vienna has its charms as well as a wonderful selection of hotels for every taste and whim.
It is also worth noting that Vienna is divided into 23 districts, each of which has a proper name in addition to its number. It is also pertinent to note that the city is often referred to in terms of the Ringstrasse, a historic circular road built at the command of Emperor Franz Joseph I on the lines of the medieval city walls, which surrounds much of the old city. As well, no matter where you choose to stay in Vienna, the city has an excellent public transit system that consists of street trams and an underground metro, which together connect the entirety of Vienna and make it easy to get from point A to point B.

Street trams form an integral part of Vienna's excellent transit system.