Europe: steeped in history and culture

A city steeped in history, culture - and canals. No trip to this modern, vibrant city is complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum, with its magnificent collection of Dutch art. The Van Gogh museum and the modern Stedelijk museum are also must-sees. You can easily lose yourself in a relaxed walk along the Canal Ring, with its spectacular street architecture - or take a boat tour for a better appreciation of the buildings overlooking the maze of waterways. The city is very manageable for the tourist – whether traveling by tram or hired bike.

Brussels is synonymous with the European Commission and the council of the European Union - as both have their headquarters there. But there is more to the city than Eurocrats. The Belgians love their food and Brussels is packed with every kind of restaurant and cafe, offering haute cuisine, mussels and chips - and everything between. And where else but in Belgium could the symbol of the capital city be the Manneken Pis - a 60-cm tall statue of a boy freely urinating. This nicely sums up the relaxed, irreverent nature of the Belgians. On a lighter note, the city is particularly lively by night, and a spectacular son et lumière takes place twice nightly in the central Grand Place between April and September. By day, the Grand Place reveals itself as one of Europe’s most impressive town squares.

Berlin is a fascinating city as it encapsulates the history of the 20th century. Two world wars, the inter-war decadence, the cold war, glasnost - all have made their mark in a big way on the city. And since German reunification Berlin is changing at a breathtaking pace. The list of things to see is long enough to make your head spin - the new Jewish museum, one of the most significant examples of contemporary architecture in Europe; the iconic Brandenburg Gate; the ever-changing development at the Potsdamer Platz, showpiece of the new Berlin; the Tiergarten, the magnificent green heart of the city with the golden statue of victory, the Siegessäule, at the centre; the restored Reichstag parliament building; the towering Fernsehturm, symbol of the Communist East, with its breathtaking views of the city … the list goes on.

Germany’s most imposing skyline certainly belongs to Frankfurt am Main, the trade and finance centre of Europe. But there’s more to the city than skyscrapers and banking institutions. Not far from the financial heart are cozy Ebbelwei pubs, a bustling city centre and many historical sights. The Kaiserdom cathedral and the Paulskirche, the cradle of German democracy, lie in the heart of the city, as does Goethe-House, birthplace of Frankfurt’s most famous son, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Nearby, along the river Main, is Frankfurt’s unique museum embankment. The Deutsches Filmmuseum celebrates the country’s cinematic heritage, and the Botanical Gardens have been welcoming citizens since 1868. Downtown Frankfurt is always open for a shopping spree, with its many streetside cafes. And Ebbelwei, by the way, is the local apple wine - a treat not to be missed.

Heinrich Heine’s description of Munich as “nestling between art and beer like a village between hills” is as true today as it was when it was written in 1850. The state capital of Bavaria lies near the foot of the German Alps and is Germany’s second most popular destination after Berlin. It has a little of everything to offer in the form of culture, parks and greenery, night-life, architecture, beer gardens, shopping, skiing or sailing. While small enough not to be overwhelming, it also boasts the Deutsches Museum, State Opera, Bayern Munich, and of course the renowned Oktoberfest when lederhosen and dirndls, pretzels and sausages are the order of the day, and the German brewing industry really comes into its own. The city is also very green, with wide boulevards, large squares and well-kept parks.

“I love Paris every moment, every moment of the year” wrote Cole Porter, and who could argue with him? Paris is rightly famous for being the city of romance, with a character all its own. With nothing on the agenda it’s possible to wander through the beautiful streets and alleys for days and still want to come back for more. Better still, compile an agenda and you’ll be sure not to miss the city’s countless attractions - the Eiffel Tower of course, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame cathedral, Sacré Coeur and Montmartre, the Champs Elysées. And then there are the off-beat sights, such as the amazing Père Lachaise cemetery or the 80,000-seat Stade de France stadium. Just outside the city are such contrasting delights as the Palace de Versailles and Disneyland Paris.

The Eternal City is well named. In true Italian style, walking the streets involves immersing yourself in centuries of history that you can reach out and touch. For thousands of years, tourists, merchants and pilgrims have wended their way towards the town built on seven hills on the banks of the Tiber. All roads lead to Rome indeed. The city has one of the richest histories of any town as a religious and cultural centre, with centuries of aristocratic and papal rivalries and upheaval. But Rome is no museum: it’s a colorful and vibrant living city as noted for its multitude of restaurants as its Trevi Fountain, Colosseum and stunning St Peter’s cathedral. The culture, ambience and surrounding scenery make it a great destination even if you don’t see a single ruin.

While many cities claim to be unique in one way or another, it is certainly true of the city of Venice. Once heralded as the most dazzlingly beautiful city in the world, in a faded-glory way, it retains its attraction to this day. A first-time tour of the city has to begin with a visit to San Marco Square, home to the beautiful Byzantine basilica of San Marco and to the Doge’s Palace. With the winding Grand Canal as a vague reference point wandering through the confusing warren of streets and canal sides is an experience like no other. There are quaint bridges, sumptuous palaces and historic churches at every turn, all of which can be explored by foot, by the famous vaporetti, or by the even more famous gondola.

Vienna is a capital city with charm, vibrancy and flair. Dominating the banks of the Danube, it boasts outstanding infrastructure, is clean and safe, and as inspiring as anything you could wish for in this beautiful corner of Europe. Vienna is, of course, the European city of music, and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage has been preserved to the present day with the Wiener Philharmoniker, the world-class Vienna Boys’ Choir, the Vienna Conservatorium … and the lively modern music scene. The romantic imperialism of the city can be found in the narrow, mediaeval alleyways and majestic squares, the Schönbrunn Palace and the Hofburg Imperial Palace, and the stunning architecture along the Ring boulevard. Even some of the Viennese underground stations are listed properties, on account of their elegant, ornamental Jugendstil design.

Virtually ignored by tourists until 1989, Prague is now one of Europe’s most popular - and certainly most beautiful - destinations. It is one of the very few capital cities in the world to be listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. The city’s historical centre includes Prague Castle, Malá Strana, the Old Town and the renowned Charles Bridge. The area consists of wide cobblestone avenues and winding lanes, and buildings in every possible architectural style - Romanesque rotundas, Gothic cathedrals, Baroque and Renaissance palaces, through to art nouveau, neo-classical and contemporary buildings. Although the Westernization of Prague moves on apace, there are still strong echoes of the distinct charm of a truly Eastern European city, and much to find off the beaten track. Visitors to Prague are guaranteed to experience their very own Bohemian rhapsody.

Europe’s most populous city has had a mixed and turbulent history, but after years of Communism and the economic uncertainty of the 1990s, Moscow is now enjoying unprecedented growth. A city of contrasts, poverty exists close to the city centre. Symbolically, the city’s Red Square is dominated by the Kremlin on one side, which is also the location of Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the opulent façade of the restored GUM department store on the other, as though the two ideologies were squaring up to one another. The metro is also a surprise - one of Communism’s few lasting achievements is positively palatial. The domes of St Basil’s Cathedral remain the iconic image of the city, and, despite the infamous harshness of the Moscow winter, there is no more beautiful sight than that of St Basil’s domes in the falling snow.

The ‘Venice of the North’ or the ‘Pearl of the Baltic’ - either one sums up this magical city. This splendid metropolis boasts grand, baroque buildings laced with canals and a vibrant social scene. Colorful, attractive, and deeply cultured, St Petersburg contains perhaps the world’s most spectacular museum, the amazing Hermitage, housing nearly three million artifacts. The famous 4-kilometre Nevsky Prospekt street is as good a place as any to start sightseeing, taking in St Isaac’s Cathedral, the massive, baroque Winter Palace, the sculpted Anichkov bridge, and the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. The apartments or museums of Rasputin, Pushkin, Rimsky-Korsakov and Dostoyevsky are all there to be visited. The summer’s ‘white nights’, when the days are lo-o-o-ong - night hardly falls at all around midsummer - give plenty of light-time to wander the streets in a fog of vodka-fuelled goodwill.

Barcelona is one of Europe’s most popular short break destinations, thanks to its superb location on the Mediterranean, ubiquitous Gaudí architecture, vibrant street life, excellent cuisine ... and its world-famous football team. The heart of the city is the famous Ramblas thoroughfare and the Gothic Quarter just to the east. Most of the city’s sights are within easy reach - including Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, and his amazing Parc Güell. There are also the Picasso and Miró museums, and, if you’re lucky, FC Barcelona might be playing at home at the 98,000 seater Nou Camp stadium. In the evening there are cafes and restaurants galore around the Ramblas and many fish restaurants around the harbor. Due to a quirk of geography, the statue of Columbus facing out to sea in the harbor, is pointing ... towards Libya.

As befits the capital of a country with the cultural history of Spain, Madrid has a wealth of cultural attractions. The Prado museum, and the Reina Sofía museum provide two outstanding collections - one of masterpieces from as far back as the 12th century, the other with 20th and 21st-century works. Madrid is also a thrilling city with theatre, opera, dance and cinema. The enormous El Rastro outdoor market is one of the most popular Madrid tourist attractions, with everything from clothes to kitchen equipment. Madrid is also great for kids, with enough theme parks, zoos and excursions to keep them out of mischief for as long as you like. The Palacio Real gives you a glimpse into how the royals live, and the nearby Retiro Park offers a place of tranquility within the bustle of the city.

Edinburgh is the ideal city break destination, with plenty to see and do and the perfect balance between the traditional and the contemporary. The fascinating mediaeval Old Town is steeped in antiquity, every one of the tightly packed buildings having earned its place in history. The Royal Mile runs through the area, from Edinburgh Castle at the top to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scottish Parliament at the base. Together with the Georgian New Town, this is full of mysterious winding streets, elegant terraces and an abundance of stylish shops, bars and restaurants along Princes Street and George Street. Once a site for public executions, Grassmarket is now known for eating, drinking and independent shops, all in the shadow of the Castle. As well as top-class museums and galleries, Edinburgh also hosts its world-famous Festival, with its renowned Fringe.

According to the great English poet and critic Samuel Johnson, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. Indeed all life exists in this amazing city, great and small, rich and poor, ancient and modern. History is no better encapsulated than in the Tower of London, with the nearby iconic Tower Bridge. Just along the mighty Thames is the restored Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Tate Modern gallery opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, with, a little farther along, the Houses of Parliament, overlooked by the London Eye. Or there’s Madame Tussaud’s, the Royal Albert Hall or Kensington Palace. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place at 11.30 daily. And there’s any number of galleries, including the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square. And the British Museum is nearby. Who could ask for anything more?

There’s more to Manchester than a world-famous football team and a vibrant music industry - it’s one of Europe liveliest cities with an exciting, cosmopolitan atmosphere and galleries, museums, superb shopping and stunning Victorian architecture. The elaborate historic buildings of Manchester are evident at every turn, and most of the attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. The impressive Town Hall, with its display of Ford Madox Brown murals, and what is now the Palace Hotel are among the city’s finest buildings. Its many galleries, including the City Art Gallery, are housed within beautiful Victorian buildings. The award-winning Museum of Science and Industry illustrates the city’s rich industrial and architectural heritage. As well as sport and music lovers, theatre goers are also well looked after - Manchester is second only to London in its number of theatres.