European Vacation Info

What's in Store for You in Finland

2007-03-08T23:49:00.000-08:00

Traveling is such a wonderful leisure pursuit. Vacation time may just be the perfect time for you to do a little traveling. Europe can provide you with a perfect place to start off your adventure. Europe is where you may be able to visit a number of wonderful countries that can fascinate and lead you to a whole lot of other adventures. Finland is just one of those countries that you should visit.

Finland is located in somewhere in Northern Europe where it shares its borders with Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia. It is one of the thinly populated areas in the world with only over five million people living in a country of over 127,000 sq. mile area.

And yet it is considered as one of the top ranking countries in the UN human Development Index which compares countries from all over the world on certain factors such as poverty, literacy, life expectancy, education, etc. and because of this, Finland is known as one of the most desirable places to live in.

Aside from its excellent way of life, Finland is also known for its many wonderful attractions. It is a country known for its many wonderful scenic lakes and islands. Tourists can visit some of its more than 180,000 lakes and islands. Helsinki is known as the capital of Finland and it can be a good place to start on your tour of the country. Helsinki alone offers you a number of exciting places to visit when you are on vacation in Finland.

You can visit Bylandet which is probably the best sightseeing island in the Espoo archipelago. Its magnificent scenery and breathtaking natural beauty will stay with you for a very long time. The island itself is so full of beauty and natural magnificence that spending just a day there would be enough. Try to spend a couple of days on the island to try and soak up the atmosphere and marvel at all the splendor before you. Great man-made sights also scatter all around the island with its old Russian bunkers well worth a look.

While you are still in the capital, you might also consider visiting some of its well known parks. One of them would be Kaivopuisto which is Helsinki's most famous park. This beautiful area has cliffs that can offer visitors breathtaking views of the whole city and the archipelago.

This spacious park was first established mainly as a spa facility for the wealthy in early times. Kaivopuisto is a popular place to go for strolls and enjoy summer picnics with your family and co-travelers. It becomes the best place to visit in the city during May Day where thousands of people try to spend the day here. This beautiful park is also used for many events, celebrations and free concerts which add more excitement to the whole area.

If you find yourself in Finland during the winter, you might want to take a visit at the Senate Square in Helsinki. Every year at wintertime, a little church made of snow rises up in the middle of the Square just in front of the Lutheran Cathedral. This spectacular snow church becomes a popular attraction every year during winter where people try to marvel it from the inside and out.

Services are held inside the church on Sunday mornings and this small church is equipped with wooden doors as well as windows and seats which add to its appeal. There are more attractions in store for you when you visit Finland, where exciting adventures and scenic marvels await you.

The Various Attractions of Denmark

2007-03-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

Denmark offers a lot of exciting attractions to the adventurous traveler. Denmark is a part of beautiful Scandinavia, others being Norway and Sweden. Denmark has a great number exciting as well as interesting places for a vacationing traveler to visit. Copenhagen alone has number in interesting places to visit. Copenhagen is a city which prides itself with its rich heritage and interesting history. It has been called the land of ambitious kings and creative artists.

Copenhagen is a lively place to go around and present a number of attractions that will interest and appeal its many visitors. An excellent network of public transportation which include buses and trains help make going around for tourists easier and its friendly people would be willing to guide a lost tourist to get him back to enjoying the wonderful sights and sounds that the city has to offer.

Some of the attractions that you will likely find in this city are the beautiful ancient castles and palaces that spread all over the area. One of them is the Amalienborg which was built by Frederik V to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the House of Oldenburg, Amalienborg is actually a vast complex which consists of four palaces that is built around a square.

In the square, an equestrian statue of Frederik V stands imposingly which, together with the surrounding palace buildings, forms a breathtaking architectural ensemble that is just too good to miss.

There is also the Asistens Kirkegard which is also known as Copenhagen's biggest cemetery. This is where notable people in Denmark such as Hans Christian Andersen are buried. If you are still amazed at the spectacular architecture found in the city, you might also want to visit the Borsen or the Stock Exchange. It is one of Copenhagen's oldest and most spectacular architectural buildings. The Stock Exchange was built by Christian IV during the 1600's in an effort to make the city into a major financial center able to compete with Amsterdam.

What is remarkable about this building is that it was built on top of water and stands on filled-in foundations. With canals surrounding it on three sides, this building was able to survive various fires that may have destroyed it through the years. The building's imposing spire is what makes The Stock Exchange stand out in the whole of Copenhagen. This spectacular spire is formed by four dragons with tails intertwined and topped by three golden crowns which stand for the three Scandinavian countries.

Then there is the Stroget which is an open market where different modes of transportation are banned to allow thousands of shoppers to freely walk around the streets. The Stroget is an open air market filled with bars, burger joints as well as a variety of high end and bargain stores that haws everything available for everyone.

Walking down Stroget is always an experience in itself and should not be missed whenever one visits Copenhagen. And most of all, the excited visitor should not miss what is known as the most famous of Copenhagen's tourist attractions, the Den Lille Havfrue or the Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid can be found sitting on a rock that overlooks the harbor of Copenhagen. It was inspired by the fairytale created by Denmark's most famous son, Hans Christian Andersen. There are many more sights that await every visitor here in Denmark and it is not all located in the capital alone. A more exciting adventure is always at hand when you visit the beautiful country that is Denmark.

Belgium, One of Europe’s Best Destinations, Part 2

2007-03-08T22:50:00.000-08:00

One statue that is quite cute is the Mannekin Pis or the Pissing Boy in English. This is located at the Cathedral of Saint Michel. The nice thing here is that the statue is dressed up during different times of the year such as a Santa Claus suit for Christmas or a robe during the feast of St. Michel. Other than that, it is nude.

The Atomium is a steel structure representing an iron atom with 9 spheres connected by corridors. Those who pass here will be able to get to the park and a miniature exhibit of the Europe’s famous landmarks.

When the people are hungry, the best place to get a bite is the world famous “Petite Rue des Bouchers” or the street of butchers. Every household here is a restaurant. Tourists can check out the various homes before deciding to get a table and eat whatever the heart desires.

Walking distance from here is the Grand Palace. This is the central market of Brussels where tourists can buy food and souvenirs before packing up and going home.

Aside from staying in the capital of Belgium, which is Brussels, the person should also check out the landscapes, artworks and architecture of its other cities such as Antwerp, Ghent or Leuven.

Lodges or inns in these places are reasonably priced. One can even take a leisurely hike to appreciate nature in the Ardennes Forest which starts from the city of Namur has a citadel built on a rock. The individual can either rent a car or take the train to be able to see these other wonderful places.

Belgium, One of Europe’s Best Destinations, part 1

2007-03-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

Just a few miles from France or Germany, is the country of Belgium. Home to the European Union and NATO, this is considered to be one of the smallest yet industrialized nation in Western Europe.

People can take a train from either France or Germany to see this small country. In a day or two, visitors will be able to visit the various cathedrals, medieval cities and castles that are still there today. The tourists will also be enjoy the good food, beer and chocolate that this place is known for.

Here are some examples of these places.

The first is the Royal Museum of Ancient and Modern Art, which has collections of various paintings and art work. The person can join the tour or go about this place to be able to appreciate everything at a leisurely pace.

Those who love dinosaurs and see fossil remains of those dating back more than a million years ago can check out the exhibits at the Museum of Natural History. If the prehistoric remains are no the person’s cup of tea, perhaps Autoworld will be much better appreciated since it features a collection of cars both old and new from different countries around the world.

The one thing the person will notice about Belgium is the architecture. Not all of the buildings are the same and this variety will astound anyone who is walking through the streets.

The most well known style of architecture in Belgium is known as the Art Nouveau. Here, people will see the different homes that will tell if this part of the city is for the high class, those in the middle and the lower class.

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Having a Grand Time in Italy

2007-02-19T00:47:00.000-08:00

Planning a vacation and deciding where to go can be challenging. This is because there are so many places to choose from and it takes a large amount of money should the person travel with the whole family.

If by any chance Europe comes up, one place that the individual must visit is Italy. This country has a lot of history and culture and those who lived in this part of the world were those who established most of the things people enjoy today.

Exploring this country will take more than a week to do. This is because there are so many cities to choose from so it is best to plan the itinerary.

Those who want to see the works of Michelangelo and the center of the Church should visit Rome where the Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel are located. Remnants of the Roman Empire where gladiators once fought can be seen in the Colosseum while the Pantheon is also an important landmark to check out.

Another city a few miles north of Rome is Florence. Here, the individual will visit the former capital of this country before it was transferred to Rome. There are three large palaces to check out which are the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, the Palazzo Strozzi and the Palazzo Vecchio.

If there is time, other important landmarks to have a picture taken are the Campanile di Giotto, the Piazza del Signoria, the Teatro Comunale, the arched Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and the world-famous Duomo/Santa Maria del Fiore that is better known as the Cathedral of Florence.

Another cool place to check out is the city of Venice. This is the only place in the world where the mode of travel is by boat. The visitors can pass the Grand Canal that is three kilometers long and up to 70 meters wide.

Along the way, the person will see buildings such as the baroque church of Santa Maria Della Salute, the Accademia Gallery, the Ca'd'Oro and the Grassi, Corner-Spinelli and the Grimani Palaces.

The tourists will be able to enjoy the scenery and be enchanted by the songs that are sung by the boat master while going through the passageways and crossing bridges such as the Accademia, Rialto and the Scalzi. The most famous of these is the Rialto that has shops on both sides for customers to buy souvenirs and bring home.

The tourists should also check out the Piazza San Marco where a few meters away, lies the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace. A few meters away from the palace is the bridge of Sighs which connects this building to the judicial office and the prison.

Those who are thinking of visiting Italy should reserve a hotel at least a month before. It will be difficult to get one anywhere as the peak season keeps these places packed during July and August which is the only time that it is warm.

The arrangements can be done manually but it is best to ask the travel agent for assistance so nothing is missed during the planning stages. The person should get a few memory cards for the digital camera and prepare the proper clothing so it won't be too hot or cold when checking out the sights.

Enjoying the Sights and Slopes of Switzerland

2007-02-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

Switzerland is known as the smallest sovereign state in the world. It has a high cost of living so those who want to enjoy it should plan a vacation instead of moving here.

Tourists will be able to take a plane and land in Zurich. Here, visitors will be able to enjoy the old town area that is the main shopping district. People will be able to buy some items and not just chocolate that this country is known for.

The person can probably catch a show at the Zurich opera house, say a little prayer at the Fraumunster Church and enjoy a breath of fresh air or a little sailing at Lake Zurich.

Since Switzerland has a lot of other magnificent places to visit, getting on board a train or renting a car can get the individual to the next destination which is the city of Berne. Here, people will be able to see the Berne Clock Tower, the Munster Cathedral and the Bundeshhaus where parliament is in session.

The city also has a lot of fountains that represent the Cantons of Switzerland and guests will love to get a slice of bread as a snack that is considered to be the best in Europe.

Those who love to ski or would like a lesson can go to the Matterhorn Zermatt. This resort is not only for those who want to scale down a mountain but also is a place where tourists can relax and enjoy the white covered landscape.

The city of Lucerne is another place worth visiting while exploring Switzerland. The group can walk and interact among the locals at the old town or enjoy walking by the lake. The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower must not be missed. The same goes for the fine museums that include the Picasso, Rosengart and Wagner museum.

What does the International Red Cross or the World Bank have in common? The headquarters of these offices are in the city of Geneva. The old town which has stood for centuries is still worth visiting even if its popularity has been shifted away to the activities done by these world organizations.

Those who want to enjoy the festivities with the locals should find time to come during the month of February. This is because of the carnival that will take place putting everyone is in a festive mood that will have bands, circus acts and parades the entire week.

This occasion also marks the beginning of spring and tourist and locals can buy fresh flowers at discounted prices. There are also fruits that can be eaten while going on another trip into the mountains.

If the person should visit in July, there is the jazz festival set at the waterfront of Lac Leman. Those who want to catch fireworks should be there during the first of August while people who want to see some Swiss wrestling should witness in the Emmental area a few miles due east of the city of Bern.

Those who want to travel to Switzerland should bring a lot of warm clothes since the weather is cold throughout the year. Other activities that can be done aside from skiing are hiking and mountain climbing as long the proper footwear and gear are available.

Switzerland can be toured in less than three days. From here, the group can travel by train or car to other countries such as France, Austria, Belgium or Germany.