Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the southwest. In addition to the mainland, Scotland includes over 790 islands including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides. Edinburgh, the country's capital and second largest city, is one of Europe's largest financial centres. Edinburgh was the hub of the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century, which transformed Scotland into one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe. Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, was once one of the world's leading industrial cities and now lies at the centre of the Greater Glasgow conurbation. Scottish waters consist of a large sector of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest oil reserves in the European Union. This has given Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland, the title of Europe's oil capital. The Kingdom of Scotland emerged as an independent sovereign state in the Early Middle Ages and continued to exist until 1707, although it had been in a personal union with the kingdoms of England and Ireland since James VI of Scotland succeeded to the English and Irish thrones in 1603. On 1 May 1707, Scotland entered into an incorporating political union with England to create the united Kingdom of Great Britain. This union resulted from the Treaty of Union agreed in 1706 and enacted by the twin Acts of Union passed by the Parliaments of both countries, despite widespread protest across Scotland. Scotland's legal system continues to be separate from those of England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and Scotland constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in public and in private law. The continued existence of legal, educational and religious institutions distinct from those in the remainder of the UK have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and national identity since the Union. In 1999, a devolved legislature, the Scottish Parliament, was founded with authority over many areas of home affairs following a successful referendum in 1997. In 2011 the SNP won an overall majority in the parliament and intend to hold a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom sometime in the current parliamentary term.

England is the largest of the four "home nations" that make up the United Kingdom. It is also the most populous of the four with almost 52 million inhabitants (roughly 90% of the total population of the UK). On the island of Great Britain, Scotland sits to the north of England and Wales is to the west. Northern Ireland (also part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland lie across the Irish Sea to west of England (and Wales). France and the Channel Islands are across the English Channel to the south, and to the east is the North Sea. London is the start and finish point for most international tourists. It offers countless museums and historical attractions. To truly experience England, however, you must venture out of the hustle and bustle of the capital and see what the rest of England has to offer. You will find the rest of England very different to its capital city. If short on time, you may find it more convenient to base yourself in a regional city and take day trips to the National Parks, coast and smaller towns. If you have plenty of time, then you could base yourself in a B&B (Bed and Breakfast) in any of the above. You will find that public transport to and within cities and large towns is acceptable, but that in smaller places off the beaten track then you should research your journey carefully, or consider hiring a car.

Sicily (Sicilia) is a rugged and attractive island on the southern tip of Italy, and is one of the country's 20 regions. It is separated from the mainland region of Calabria by the 5 km Straits of Messina. It can get very hot during the summer, so it is better to visit during spring and autumn, while it is still quite pleasant during winter. Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature, cuisine, architecture and language. The Sicilian economy is diversified. The agriculture sector is significant with citrus fruits (mainly oranges and lemons), olives and olive oil, grapes and wine. Tourism and real estate are economically important for the island. Sicily also holds importance for archeological and ancient sites such as the Necropolis of Pantalica, the Valley of the Temples and Selinunte. The main cities of Sicily are: Agrigento - to the south and particularly noted for the Valle dei Templi (Valley of Temples)(UNESCO World Heritage) Catania - busy university city & #1 economic center, great for nightlife, the gate to Mount Etna (World Heritage) Enna - medieval town on the top of a mountain, in the middle of Sicily Gela - one of the most important old greek cities, archaelogical centre e sea resort on the south coast Marsala - Interesting museum, home of the famous wine Mazara del Vallo - Arab influences including a Couscous festival Messina - busy city & link to the mainland Palermo - throbbing capital, plenty of sights Ragusa - impressive baroque architecture (UNESCO World Heritage) Syracuse (Siracusa) - attractive old town and greek ruins (UNESCO World Heritage) Trapani - attractive city and gateway to Pantelleria and the Egadi islands Other destinations are: San Vito lo Capo - the most beautiful beach on the island, surrounded by mountains Giardini Naxos - under the hill of Taormina Marina di Ragusa - fine golden sand with blue waters Vendicari - Natural Reserve with a great beach. Fiumefreddo di Sicilia - Marina di cottone - It reserves natural neighbor very beautiful river that flows in a splendid sea. The Aeolian Islands - beautiful group of volcanic islands (World Heritage) The Aegadian Islands relaxing islands off the west coast Ustica - diving center near Palermo Pantelleria - Arab-influenced solitude The Pelagie Islands - most southern, in the Mediterranean Sea. Trekking in Sicily - The Trekking in Sicily is going to expand.The Parks and the Nature Reserve are not very well organized but for this reason you'll have the opportunity to enjoy and discover the Sicilian Mountains and Nature. There are some wonderful trekkings that you can do to enjoy the beauty of the main Sicilian sites like Nebrodi mountains, Madonie mountains Etna volcano etc. Mount Etna - the impressive 3323m high active volcano Agrigento - famous for its Greek Temple Valley Eraclea Minoa - Greek ruins above an attractive beach Naxos - First Greek colony in Sicily. Today Giardini Naxos, near Taormina. Himera or Imera - Greek colony, founded in 648.BC on the north coast. Kamarina - Greek city dating to 598BC, built by the Corintian-Syracusan. Located at 25km from Ragusa. Leontini - Greek colony, Today the town of Lentini Mozia - Ancient Punic city built on the island of Mozia overlooking Marsala. Morgantina - Greek colony in the province of Enna. Piazza Armerina - home of impressive Roman mosaics (World Heritage) Syracuse or Siracusa - Archeological Park of the Neapolis with stunning Greek Theatre and Roman Anfitheatre. Segesta - another Greek temple, Theatre and ruins Selinunte - another group of impressive Greek temples and ruins of Greek city. Solunto - Punic ruins near Santa Flavia, Palermo.

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is in the Mediterranean Sea between the Sea of Crete and the Libyan Sea, south of the Peloponnese. Crete is approximately 260 km long and 60 km wide. Crete consists of four prefectures: Chania, Rethimno, Heraklion and Lasithi. If there was a beauty contest for Greek islands, Crete would surely be among the favorites. Indeed, some say there is no place on earth like Crete. This view is strongly supported by those fortunate enough to have visited the island. Crete, with a population of approximately 650,000, is not just sun, sea and sand; it is a quite distinct place full of vitality, warmth, hospitality, culture and of course an excellent infrastructure. Crete is well known for its seas and beaches but it has a very contrasting landscape. The island goes from fertile coastal plains to rugged mountains and from busy metropolitan cities to very peaceful hillside homes. If you travel throughout Crete you can clearly see remnants of Roman and Turkish aqueducts and architecture from when these people invaded the island long ago. The island has the following main cities: Heraklion (Iraklion or Candia) — the largest city with the archaeological highlight Knossos Agios Nikolaos — the cute capital of Lasithi Chania (Haniá) (— largest city of the western region Chersonissos (Hersonissos) — blissful harbour town in winter, party capital of Crete in summer Elounda — a small fishing town on the Elounda Bay with the abandoned Spinalonga Island Hora Sfakion — tiny capital in the southwest with white houses and the ferry to and from the Samaria Gorge Ierapetra — the southernmost city of Europe with some nice beaches Malia — crowded tourist mecca popular mostly with young (especially British) travelers Rethymno — this interesting town is mostly popular with families Other destinations and activities include: Visit the Archaeological Site of Knossos - and its famous palace, major city of the Minoan civilization 4,000 years ago. Listen to traditional Cretan music: Lýra is the dominant folk instrument on the island; it is a three-stringed fiddle, direct descendant of the ancient Lyre, which is held vertically, resting on the thighs of the player and is played with a bow like a violin. It is often accompanied by the Cretian lute (laoúto), which is similar to both an oud and a mandolin. The film Zorba the Greek helped to expand the audience for Cretan folk music; popularity peaked from about the middle of the 1970s to the middle of the 1980s. Complete the walk down the Samaria Gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists sail to the nearby village of Hora Sfakion and catch a coach back to Hania. The walk takes between four and seven hours and can be strenuous, especially in high summer. Avoid overcrowded and touristic places as they are ugly and don't offer any of the qualities of Crete. In general, the North coast is much more busy and touristic than the South coast. Go walking in the mountains. Yakinthia Festival-this is an anual festival of music and dance, which also features presentations on Greek mythology Excellent beaches: Balos Lagoon, Kissamos/ Red Sand Beach, Matala/ Palm Beach, Plakias/ and Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi Visit museums: Historical Museum of Crete, Heraklion/ Museum of Cretan Ethnology, Heraklion/ and the famous Lychnostatis Open Air Museum, Hersonissos Shopping Centers: Idolio, Hersonissos (specialty museum shop) and Faestos, Hersonissos The night life is great too; Bars: Ya Bar, Farbrica, and the White Lion which are all located in Hersonissos. Along with bars there are Dance/Disco Club: Camelot, Enigma, and Amnesia clubs all in Hersonissos

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia. Corsica is one of the 27 régions of France, although strictly speaking Corsica is designated as a "territorial collectivity" (collectivité territoriale) by law. As a territorial collectivity, it enjoys greater powers than other French régions, but for the most part its status is quite similar. Corsica is referred to as a "région" in common speech, and is almost always listed among the other régions of France. Although the island is separated from the continental mainland by the Ligurian Sea and is closer to Italy than to the French mainland, politically Corsica is part of Metropolitan France. It was once briefly an independent Corsican Republic, until being incorporated into France in 1769. Its culture has both French and Italian elements. The island has a natural park (Parc Naturel Régional de Corse, Parcu di Corsica), which protects thousands of rare animal and plant species. The park was created in 1972 and includes the Golfe de Porto, the Scandola Nature Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and some of the highest mountains on the island. This park is protected and cannot be reached on foot, but people can gain access by boat from the village of Galéria. Two endangered subspecies of hoofed mammals, themouflon (Ovis aries musimon) and Corsican red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) inhabit the island; the Corsican red deer is endemic. Napoléon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, where his ancestral home, Casa Buonaparte, is also located.

The Canary Islands, also known as the Canaries, are a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union. The islands include (from largest to smallest): Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste and Isla de Lobos. The Canary Islands are legally recognized as a nationality of Spain. The archipelago's beaches, climate and important natural attractions, especially Teide National Park and Mount Teide (the third largest volcano in the world), make it a major tourist destination, with over 12 million visitors per year, especially Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. The islands have a sub-tropical climate, with long hot days in summer and cooler days in winter. Due to their location close to the equator yet away from tropical storms and location above the temperature inversion layer, these islands are ideal for astronomical observation. For this reason, two professional observatories, Teide Observatory on the island of Tenerife and Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the island of La Palma, have been built on the islands. The capital for the Autonomous Community is shared by the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which in turn are the capitals of the provinces of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. From 1833 until 1927, Santa Cruz de Tenerife was the only capital, yet Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been the largest city in the Canaries since 1768, except for a brief period in 1910. The third largest city of the Canary Islands is San Cristóbal de La Laguna (a World Heritage Site) on Tenerife. During the times of the Spanish Empire the Canaries were the main stopover for Spanish galleons on their way to America because of the favorable easterly winds.

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. An Anglo-Dutch force captured Gibraltar in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. The territory was subsequently ceded to Britain by Spain "in perpetuity" under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. It was an important base for the British Royal Navy; today its economy is based largely on tourism, financial services, and shipping. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations as Spain asserts a claim to the territory. Gibraltarians resoundingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in referenda held in 1967 and 2002. Under its 2006 constitution Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers, such as defence and foreign relations, remain the responsibility of the UK Government. The culture of Gibraltar reflects Gibraltarians' diverse origins. While there are Spanish (mostly from nearby Andalusia) and British influences, the ethnic origins of most Gibraltarians are not confined to these ethnicities. Other ethnicities include Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese, and German. A few other Gibraltar residents are Jewish of Sephardic origin, Moroccan, or Indians. British influence remains strong, with English being the language of government, commerce, education, and the media.

Kaliningrad Oblast is one of the numerous Russian oblasts (admininstrative subdivisions). Kaliningrad Oblast is geographically interesting in that is situated between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea, physically separated from the rest of mother Russia. Historically, the region is German and the capital was known as Königsberg and it consists of the northern half of historic East Prussia. It was briefly known as Kyonigsberg (Кёнигсберг), (a translation of its original German name to Russian) prior to being renamed Kaliningrad, a few years after WWII. The Kaliningrad Oblast thus has only been part of Russia since 1945. Many towns in Kaliningrad Oblast are on the Baltic Sea coast, and have beautiful sandy beaches. It is also the heart of old Prussian kingdom of Brandenburg-Prussia with many ruins of old castles and forts dotting the landscape. The Kaliningrad Oblast is the northern part of historic East Prussia (German: Ostpreussen), as the southern part is roughly the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship of Poland. Since 1945, it has been part of Russia. In 1525 the Duchy of Prussia was founded by the last High Master of the Teutonic Knights Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach who became the first duke of Prussia. From 1618 in personal union with Brandenburg, the duchy was elevated to a kingdom in 1701. Though the united Kingdom of Prussia (with the capital Berlin) was a member state of the Holy Roman Empire and later the German Confederation, Prussia proper was not a part of Germany (or any other state) but an independent country until in 1871 when the German national state was established under Prussian leadership. Prussia was thereby incorporated into Germany, as its dominant and most powerful state. After Germany's defeat in WWII, East Prussia's native German-speaking population was forcibly expelled and the area was divided among three countries. The northern part with the capital Königsberg became the area of Kaliningrad Oblast, while the southern part was incorporated into Poland. A third fraction, the district north of the river Memel (Memelland) with the main city Klaipeda (Memel), had previously been split from Prussia and incorporated into Lithuania after WWI, and this was done again after WWII. In the aftermath of WWII, all three areas were ethnically cleansed of the their native German speaking populations. Because the German speaking inhabitants were forced out and all their property was confiscated, the population of Kaliningrad Oblast consists now mostly of Russian speaking people, but there are still a lot of traces of old German culture (for example, every city in the oblast has an authentic name in German) which, along with the presence of modern Russian culture, makes it an interesting destination for travelers. Kaliningrad Oblast produces 90% of the world's amber supply.

Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a country in Southeast Europe with partial diplomatic recognition. Kosovo lies landlocked in the centre of the Balkans, bordered by Serbia to the north and east, North Macedonia to the southeast, Albania to the southwest, and Montenegro to the west. Most of central Kosovo is dominated by the vast plains and fields of Metohija and the Kosovo field. The Accursed Mountains and Šar Mountains rise in the southwest and southeast, respectively. Its capital and largest city is Pristina. The Dardani tribe emerged in Kosovo and established the Kingdom of Dardania in the 4th century BC. It was later annexed by the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. The territory remained in the Byzantine Empire, facing Slavic invasions from the 6th-7th century AD. Control shifted between the Byzantines and the First Bulgarian Empire. In the 13th century, Kosovo became integral to the Serbian medieval state and the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Ottoman expansion in the Balkans in the late 14th and 15th century led to the decline and fall of the Serbian Empire; the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 is considered to be one of the defining moments. The Ottoman Empire fully conquered Kosovo after the Second Battle of Kosovo, ruling for nearly five centuries until 1912. Kosovo was the center of the Albanian Renaissance and experienced the Albanian revolts of 1910 and 1912. After the Balkan Wars, it was ceded to Serbia and Montenegro and became an Autonomous Province within Yugoslavia. Tensions between Kosovo's Albanian and Serb communities simmered through the 20th century and occasionally erupted into major violence, culminating in the Kosovo War of 1998 and 1999, which resulted in the withdrawal of the Yugoslav army and the establishment of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, and has since gained diplomatic recognition as a sovereign state by 101 member states of the United Nations. Although Serbia does not officially recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state and continues to claim it as its constituent Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, it accepts the governing authority of the Kosovo institutions as a part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement. Kosovo is a developing country, with an upper-middle-income economy. It has experienced solid economic growth over the last decade as measured by international financial institutions since the onset of the financial crisis of 2007–2008. Kosovo is a member of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, EBRD, Venice Commission, the International Olympic Committee, and has applied for membership in the Council of Europe, UNESCO, Interpol, and for observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. In December 2022, Kosovo filed a formal application to become a member of the European Union.

Sardinia (Sardegna) is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and before Cyprus). It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are (clockwise from north) the French island of Corsica, the Spanish Balearic Islands, and the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia. Megalithic building structures called nuraghe are scattered in great number throughout Sardinia. Su Nuraxi di Barumini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coasts of Sardinia (1,849 km long) are generally high and rocky, with long, relatively straight stretches of coastline, many outstanding headlands, a few wide, deep bays, rias, many inlets and with various smaller islands off the coast. The island has an ancient geoformation and, unlike Sicily and the mainland of Italy, is not earthquake-prone. Its rocks date from the Palaeozoic Era (up to 500 million years old). Due to long erosion processes the island's highlands, formed of granite, schist, trachyte, basalt (called "jaras" or "gollei"), sandstone and dolomite limestone (called tonneri or "heels"), average at between 300 to 1,000 metres. The highest peak is Punta La Marmora (1,834 m), part of the Gennargentu Ranges in the centre of the island. Other mountain chains are Monte Limbara (1,362 m) in the northeast, the Chain of Marghine and Goceano (1,259 m) running crosswise for 40 km (25 mi) towards the north, the Monte Albo (1057 metres), the Sette Fratelli Range in the southeast, and the Sulcis Mountains and the Monte Linas (1236 metres). The island's ranges and plateaux are separated by wide alluvial valleys and flatlands, the main ones being the Campidano in the southwest between Oristano and Cagliariand the Nurra in the northwest. Sardinia has few major rivers, the largest being the Tirso, 151 km (94 mi) long, which flows into the Sea of Sardinia, the Coghinas (115 km) and theFlumendosa (127 km). There are 54 artificial lakes and dams which supply water and electricity. The main ones are Lake Omodeo and Lake Coghinas. The only natural freshwater lake is Lago di Baratz. A number of large, shallow, salt-water lagoons and pools are located along the 1,850 km (1,150 mi) of the coastline. The island has a typical Mediterranean climate. During the year there are approximately 300 days of sunshine, with a major concentration of rainfall in the winter and autumn, some heavy showers in the spring and snowfalls in the highlands. The average temperature is between 11 to 17 °C (52 to 63 °F). The Mistral from the northwest is the dominant wind on and off throughout the year, though it is most prevalent in winter and spring. It can blow quite strongly, but it is usually dry and cool and makes for a sailor's paradise.

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km² (8,023 sq mi). Wales has over 1,200 km (746 mi) of coastline, including its offshore islands; the largest, Anglesey (Ynys Môn), is also the largest island in the Irish Sea. Generally mountainous, its highest mountains are in the north and central areas, especially in Snowdonia (Eryri), which contains Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), its highest peak. During the Iron Age and early medieval period, Wales was inhabited by the Celtic Britons. A distinct Welsh national identity emerged in the centuries after the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the 5th century, and Wales is regarded as one of the modern Celtic nations today. Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was recognised as king of Wales in 1057. Llywelyn ap Gruffydd's death in 1282 marked the completion of Edward I of England's conquest of Wales. The castles and town walls erected to ensure its permanence are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Owain Glyndŵr briefly restored independence to what was to become modern Wales, in the early 15th century. Wales was subsequently annexed by England under the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542 since when, excluding those matters now devolved to Wales, English law has been the legal system of Wales and England. Distinctive Welsh politics developed in the 19th century. Welsh Liberalism, exemplified in the early 20th century by Lloyd George, was displaced by the growth of socialism and the Labour Party. Welsh national feeling grew over the century; Plaid Cymru was formed in 1925 and Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) in 1962. The National Assembly for Wales, created in 1999 following a referendum, holds responsibility for a range of devolved policy matters. Wales lies within the north temperate zone, its changeable, maritime climate making it one of the wettest countries in Europe. It was an agricultural society for most of its early history, the country's terrain making arable farming secondary to pastoral farming, the primary source of Wales' wealth. In the 18th century, the introduction of the slate and metallurgical industries, at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, began to transform the country into an industrial nation; the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape date from that period. The south Wales coalfield's exploitation in the Victorian era caused a rapid expansion of the Welsh population. Two-thirds of Wales' three million population live in south Wales, mainly in and around the cities of Cardiff (Caerdydd), Swansea (Abertawe) and Newport (Casnewydd), and in the nearby valleys. Another concentration live in eastern north Wales. Cardiff, Wales' capital, is the country's most populous city, with 317,500 residents, and for a period was the biggest coal port in the world. Today, with the country's traditional heavy industries (coal, steel, copper, tinplate and slate) either gone or in decline, Wales' economy depends on the public sector, light and service industries, and tourism. Although Wales shares a close political and social history with the rest of Great Britain, it has retained a distinct cultural identity. Wales is officially bilingual, the Welsh and English languages having equal status. The Welsh language is an important element of Welsh culture, and its use is supported by national policy. Over 580,000 Welsh speakers live in Wales, more than 20% of the population. From the late 19th century onwards, Wales acquired its popular image as the "land of song," attributable in part to the revival of the eisteddfod tradition. At international sporting events, such as the FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, Wales is represented by national teams regulated and organised by over fifty national governing bodies of sports in Wales. At the Olympic Games, Welsh athletes compete as part of a Great Britain team. Although football has traditionally been the more popular sport in north Wales, rugby union is seen as a symbol of Welsh identity and an expression of national consciousness.

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It lies at the northwest end of the Black Sea, with Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, Poland to the northwest, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, and Romania to the south west and south, with Moldova in between. Ukraine is a destination on the crossroads between central and eastern Europe, between north and south. It borders Russia and is not far from Turkey. It has mountain ranges – the Carpathian Mountains suitable for skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting. The coastline on the Black Sea is a popular summer destination for vacationers. Ukraine has vineyards where they produce native wines, ruins of ancient castles, historical parks, Orthodox and Catholic churches as well as a few mosques and synagogues. Kiev, the country's capital city has many unique structures such as Saint Sophia Cathedral and broad boulevards. There are other cities well-known to tourists such as the harbour town Odessa and the old city of Lviv in the west. The Crimea, a little "continent" of its own, is a popular vacation destination for tourists for swimming or suntaning on the Black Sea with its warm climate, rugged mountains, plateaus and ancient ruins. Cities there include: Sevastopol and Yalta – location of the peace conference at the end of World War II. Visitors can also take cruise tours by ship on Dnieper River from Kiev to the Black Sea coastline. Ukrainian cuisine has a long history and offers a wide variety of original dishes. The Seven Wonders of Ukraine are the seven historical and cultural monuments of Ukraine; the sites were chosen by the general public through an internet-based vote.

Turkey is on the Mediterranean, in the Anatolian region of West Asia, with a small section in Southeastern Europe separated by the Turkish Straits (Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, and Dardanelles). With the Black Sea to the north and the Aegean Sea in the west and Mediterranean Sea to the southwest, Turkey is surrounded by Bulgaria and Greece to the west, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the northeast, Syria, Iraq and Iran to the southeast. Turkey offers a wealth of destination varieties to travellers: from dome-and-minaret filled skyline of Istanbul to Roman ruins along the western and southern coasts, from heavily indendated coastline against a mountainous backdrop of Lycia and wide and sunny beaches of Pamphylia to cold and snowy mountains of the East, from crazy "foam parties" of Bodrum to Middle Eastern-flavoured cities of Southeastern Anatolia, from verdant misty mountains of Eastern Black Sea to wide steppe landscapes of Central Anatolia, there is something for everyone's taste—whether they be travelling on an extreme budget by hitchhiking or by a multi-million yacht.

North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It shares land borders with Greece to the south, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, Kosovo to the northwest and Serbia to the north. It constitutes approximately the northern third of the larger geographical region of Macedonia. Skopje, the capital and largest city, is home to a quarter of the country's population of over 1.83 million. The majority of the residents are ethnic Macedonians, a South Slavic people. The region's history begins with the kingdom of Paeonia. In the late sixth century BC, the area was subjugated by the Persian Achaemenid Empire, then incorporated into the Kingdom of Macedonia in the fourth century BC. The Roman Republic conquered the region in the second century BC and made it part of its larger province of Macedonia. The area remained part of the Byzantine Empire, but was often raided and settled by Slavic tribes beginning in the sixth century CE. Following centuries of contention between the Bulgarian, Byzantine, and Serbian Empires, it was part of the Ottoman Empire from the mid-14th until the early 20th century, when, following the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913, the modern territory of North Macedonia came under Serbian rule. During the First World War, the territory was ruled by Bulgaria. After the end of the war, it returned to Serbian rule as part of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. During the Second World War, it was again ruled by Bulgaria; and in 1945 it was established as a constituent state of communist Yugoslavia, which it remained until its peaceful secession in 1991. The country became a member of the United Nations (UN) in 1993, but as a result of a dispute with Greece over the name "Macedonia", it was admitted under the provisional description "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (abbreviated as "FYR Macedonia" or "FYROM"). In 2018, the dispute was resolved with an agreement that the country should rename itself "Republic of North Macedonia". This renaming came into effect in early 2019. North Macedonia is a member of NATO, the Council of Europe, the World Bank, OSCE, CEFTA, BSEC and the WTO. Since 2005, it has also been a candidate for joining the European Union. North Macedonia is an upper-middle-income country by the World Bank's definitions and has undergone considerable economic reform since its independence in developing an open economy. It is a developing country with a very high Human Development Index and low income inequality; and provides social security, a universal health care system, and free primary and secondary education to its citizens. The main cities are: Skopje, the nation's capital. It is home to many historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great deal of cultural places of interest. Ohrid, a lakeside resort and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered the jewel in Macedonia's crown. Bitola, the second largest city. It is Macedonia's most "European" town. It has it all: an ancient city, Ottoman monuments, a lovely shopping promenade, great nightlife, and more. Kruševo, a museum-city nestled high up in the mountains of southwestern Macedonia. It is one the most historically significant destinations in the country as it was the site of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The town is also home to great skiing. Prilep, tobacco fields, medieval monasteries, and strange rocks. Struga, small town on Lake Ohrid. It receives a fraction of the amount of tourists that nearby Ohrid gets, making Struga much more calm and peaceful. Štip, a peaceful city in eastern Macedonia. The town has existed for thousands of years, which is evidenced by its many archaeological sites. Kumanovo, the third largest city. The area boasts many churches, pre-modern settlements, and more. Tetovo, majority of the population is ethnic Albanians. Home to the Painted Mosque and Monastery of Lešok. Radoviš, a small city in southeastern Macedonia, famous for the new Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. Other destinations include: Galičica National Park Mavrovo National Park Pelister National Park

Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has borders with France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Germany to the north. The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude. Switzerland has cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers. Switzerland is known for its mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) but it also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 4,634 m while Lake Maggiore is only 195 m above sea level. Switzerland showcases three of Europe's most distinct cultures. To the northeast is the beer-drinking, sausage-eating German-speaking Switzerland; to the south-west the wine drinking and shopping spills effortlessly into France; in the south-east the sun warms cappuccino-sippers loitering in Italian-style plazas; and in the center: classic Swiss flugelhorns and mountain landscapes. Binding it all together is a distinct Swiss mentality. Switzerland can be a glorious whirlwind trip whether you've packed your hiking boots, snowboard, or just a good book and a pair of sunglasses. Switzerland's main cities are: Berne — an amazingly well preserved old-town with arcades along almost every street; great restaurants abound, as do bars and clubs Basel — the traveller's gateway to the German Rhineland and Alsace Geneva — this centre of arts and culture is an international city home to around 200 governmental and non-governmental organizations Interlaken — the outdoor and action sports capital of Switzerland; anything from skydiving, bungee jumping, hiking, white-water rafting, to canyoning Lausanne — scenery, dining, dancing, boating and the Swiss wine-country are the draws Lucerne — main city of the Central region with direct water links to all of the early Swiss historic sights Lugano — a gorgeous old-town, a pretty lake, and the food is simply amazing Zurich — a major centre of banking and has a thriving nightlife Other destinations include: Grindelwald — the classic resort at the foot of the Eiger Rhine Falls — the largest falls of Europe, close to Schaffhausen Zermatt - famous mountain resort at the base of the mighty Matterhorn

Sweden is the largest of the Nordic countries in Northern Europe. It borders Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark via the bridge of Öresund (Öresundsbron). The Baltic Sea lies to the east of Sweden, as well as the Gulf of Bothnia, which separates Sweden from most of Finland. Sweden is great for outdoor life - skiing, skating, hiking, canoeing, cycling and berry-picking depending of season. Stockholm and Gothenburg have great nightlife and shopping opportunities. Most cities have well-preserved pre-industrial architecture. Sweden's main cities are: Stockholm - The capital, spread out over a number of islands. Gothenburg (Göteborg in Swedish) - On the west coast. Linköping - The 5th most populous city of Sweden. University city. Kiruna - A mining town in Lappland, and the northernmost city in Sweden. Luleå - Industrial city in northern Norrland, with a technical university. Malmö - Down south, 30 minutes by train from the Danish capital Copenhagen. Umeå - University city in Norrland. Uppsala - Lively pretty old university city. Fourth largest city in Sweden. Örebro - Old shoe manufacturing center, halfway between Stockholm and Oslo. Other destinations include: Åre - One of Sweden's largest ski resorts, with 44 lifts. Esrange - A rocket launching facility near Kiruna. Gotland - Sweden's largest island, as well as the largest island of the Baltic Sea, situated in the Baltic Sea. Its capital Visby is on UNESCO's World's heritage list. It's a common vacation spot for Swedes from the mainland. Kebnekaise - Sweden's highest mountain surrounded by vast wilderness areas and a popular trail to Abisko National Park.

Spain is a diverse country sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the country with the second-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, after Italy, and the largest number of World Heritage Cities. Spain is considered an exotic country in Europe due to its friendly inhabitants, relaxed lifestyle, its cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and world-famous folklore and festivities. Among many places worth visiting are Spain's thriving capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona, the famous "Running of the Bulls" at Pamplona, major Andalucian cities with Islamic architecture, like Seville, Granada and Córdoba, the Way of St. James and the idyllic Balearic and Canary Islands. Spain is the country with the 2nd largest number of UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world. The most popular beaches are the ones in the Mediterranean coasts and the Canary Islands. Meanwhile, for hiking, the mountains of Sierra Nevada in the south, the Central Cordillera and the northern Pyrenees are the best places. Spain has hundreds of interesting cities. Here are nine of the most popular: Madrid — the vibrant capital, with fantastic museums, interesting architecure, great food and nightlife Barcelona — Spain's second city, full of modernist buildings and a vibrant cultural life, nightclubs, and beaches Bilbao — industrial city, home to the Guggenheim Museum Cadiz — oldest city in Western Europe with nearly 4,000 years of history, celebrates a famous carnival Cordoba — The Grand Mosque ('Mezquita') of Cordoba is one of the world's finest buildings Granada — stunning city in the south, surrounded by snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, home of La Alhambra Seville — a beautiful, verdant city, and home to the world's third largest cathedral Valencia — paella was invented here, has a very nice beach Zaragoza — fifth largest city of Spain that held the World Expo in 2008 Other destinations include: Costa Blanca — 200 km of white coast with plenty of beaches and small villages Costa Brava — the rugged coast with plenty of seaside resorts Costa del Sol — the sunny coast in the south of the country Gran Canaria — known as "a continent in miniature" due to its many different climates and landscapes Ibiza — a Balearic island; one of the best places for clubbing, raving, and DJs in the entire world La Rioja — Rioja wine and fossilized dinosaur tracks Mallorca — the largest island of the Balears, full of amazing beaches and great nightlife Sierra Nevada — the highest mountains on the Iberian Peninsula, great for walking and skiing Tenerife — offers lush forests, exotic fauna and flora, deserts, mountains, volcanoes, beautiful coastlines and spectacular beaches

Slovenia is a country in Central Europe that lies in the eastern Alps at the northwestern end of the Adriatic Sea, with Austria to the north, Italy to the southwest, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the south. Despite its small size, Slovenia has a surprising variety of terrain, ranging from the beaches of the Mediterranean to the peaks of the Julian Alps, to the rolling hills of the south. Slovenia was already more economically advanced than other nations behind the iron curtain prior to European integration and the powerhouse of Tito's Yugoslavia. Contrary to the popular misconception, Slovenia was not a part of the Eastern bloc (not after the Yugoslavian notorious split with the Soviet Union in 1948). Added the fact that Slovenia is also home to some of the finest scenery in the "New Europe", the transition from socialism to the European common market economy has gone well and serves as a model for other nations on the same track to follow. Slovenia's main cities are: Ljubljana - the picturesque pint-sized capital Bled - impossibly romantic mountain lake complete with castle and island Celje - one of Slovenia's oldest cities Koper - lovely Venetian city, largest on Slovenian coastline Maribor - Slovenia's second largest city Nova Gorica - the city literary on the border with Italy Piran - gorgeous Venetian port Postojna - Site of the gigantic Postojna caves Ptuj - one of Slovenia's oldest cities - pronounced "P-too-ee" Other destinations include: Škocjan Caves — less commercial than Postojna but no less impressive, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Triglav National Park - Home to national symbol Mt. Triglav and mythical golden chamois Zlatorog.

Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is surrounded by Austria to the west, Czech Republic to the northwest, Hungary to the south, Poland to the north and Ukraine to the east. Slovakia is a modern democratic country and is a member of the European Union. The main reasons to visit Slovakia are its natural beauty, vivid history and great opportunities for relaxation (and due to the small size of the country, it is quite easy to combine all three). Slovakia has nine national parks, which cover a relatively big park of the country and feature the tallest part of the Carpathian Mountain Range, the High Tatras, which offer great opportunities for mountain and winter sports as well as great vistaa. Geologically, a sizable part of Slovakia is made out of limestone, which in combination with many springs and rivers has resulted in formation of numerous caves (12 open to the public, several of which are UNESCO listed) and the beautiful rocky formations, canyons and waterfalls of the Slovak Paradise and Slovak Karst. Even outside these areas, there are some beautiful landscapes, and all of Slovakia is covered by thousands of well-marked hiking trails. For history lovers, Slovakia has the highest number of castles and chateaux per capita in the world, ranging from simple ruins to well-preserved habitable castles with furnishings, so if you are a fan of medieval history, look no further. There are also numerous gothic and baroque cities and towns across Slovakia, including the capital. There are also well-preserved examples of wooden folk architecture, including churches made entirely out of wood and the tallest wooden altar in the world. There are numerous mineral and thermal springs in Slovakia, and around some of these world-famous spas have been built that offer great curative therapies or just simple relaxation. You can also chill out, swim and sunbathe at the shores of several local lakes and pools or try AquaCity waterpark if you are feeling more adventurous. In particular, Bratislava boasts a lively nightlife as well and is a popular partying destination. Slovakia's main cities are: Bratislava — capital and the largest city of Slovakia with a beautifully restored historical centre full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance churches, houses and palaces, cobblestone streets, fountains, pleasant cafes and lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere Banská Bystrica — was one of the most important mining towns of Hungarian part of Austro-Hungarian Empire; beautiful restored square, many churches, castles and museums and memorial of the Slovak National Uprising Košice — metropolis of the east, second biggest city of the country with the easternmost situated Gothic Cathedral in the World, the oldest European coat of arms, a great historical city centre with the Cathedral Complex, numerous churches, palaces and interesting museums. Poprad — the entryway into High Tatras Prešov — the best example of renaissance architecture in Slovakia, numerous churches and nearby lying Solivar which is one of the most interesting salt mine museum in Europe Rajecké Teplice — very peaceful spa town surrounded by magnificent Mala Fatra National Park Trenčín — one of the most beautiful Slovak towns with a castle lying above the city overlooking the historical centre and the river Váh Trnava — the oldest Slovak town with the highest number of churches (12) and well preserved baroque architecture Žilina — Fourth biggest city with a well preserved historical city centre influenced by German architecture and unique museum of the tinker´s culture located at the Budatín castle Other destinations include: Slovak Paradise National Park — Slovenský Raj consists of deep ravines and canoyons created by the water cascading in waterfalls through the limestone. High Tatras — is the biggest national park in Slovakia and a centre winter sports and hiking. Vlkolínec — UNESCO heritage list village, preserving the character of a traditional Carpathian village. Spissky Hrad — one of the biggest castles in Europe, UNESCO listed. Nizke Tatry — Low Tatras National Park Slovak Karst Levoca — magnificent medieval pearl of the Spis region surrounded by town walls with a unique renaissance town hall, burger´s houses, numerous churches and St. James Cathedral where the biggest gothic wooden altar of the world is situated. Bojnice — the most visited castle in Slovakia, almost intact with beautifully preserved interiors. Piešťany — the most famous spa town in Slovakia. Bardejov — is a spa town in North-Eastern Slovakia that exhibits numerous cultural monuments in its completely intact medieval town center and is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Serbia is a friendly and changing country, located in the Balkans, in Southern Europe. It was a founder and one of six republics forming the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is surrounded by Montenegro to the south, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, Bulgaria to the southeast, Croatia to the northwest, Hungary to the north, Macedonia to the south, and Romania to the northeast. It is situated on one of the major land routes from Central Europe to Turkey and further on to the Near East. Serbia is a lovely country, open for tourism all year round. During summer tourists love spending their time in Belgrade and enjoy the nature of many national parks throughout the country. In winter, tourists are warmly welcomed to mountain resorts (one of the most popular being Kopaonik [featured on BBC as one of the best ski destinations in Europe]). There are also many spa resorts such as Sokobanja, Niška Banja and Vrnjačka Banja. Serbia's main cities are: Belgrade (Beograd / Београд) — the capital of Serbia. Kragujevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Крагујевац)— The first capital of modern Serbia, industrial hub and the 4th largest city in Serbia.Kragujevac is located in the region Šumadija, 120 km south of Belgrade. Kragujevac passes through a small river Lepenica. Near the town is Lake Gružansko (Гружанско Језеро).The city has a university, and important cultural and medical buildings. It has a rich history and many cultural and historical monuments. Kraljevo (Краљево)-Kraljevo is an important economic center in Serbia, located south of 170 Beograda.It lies on two rivers, the Morava and The Ibar river.In the outskirts of the city is very famous monastery "Žiča"(Жича) with a rich history, and in addition to the monastery and the famous Mataruška spa (Матарушка бања), and a little further Bogutovačka Spa (Богутовачка бања). Čačak (Чачак)-Čačak is a city in central Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Moravica District of Serbia. Čačak is also the main industrial, cultural and sport center of the district.Cacak is one of the major cities in the territory of the Srbiji.On the wider city area there are two well-known spas and Spa Gornja Trepča (Бања Горња Трепча) and Ovčar Spa (Овчар Бања). Nearby is the famous Očarsko-Kablar Gorge, which is located 10 old monastery (the small Holy Mountain). Niš (Ниш) — The third largest city in Serbia. Niš is a great car and railway junctions in that part of Serbia and the Balkans, with great industry and a rich history and cultural-historical monuments.Niš has a large university, there are important cultural and medical buildings.Nearby is the famous Niska Banja (Нишка Бања). Among other things, Niš is the birthplace of Constantine the Great, where are the remains of his summer home, etc. Novi Sad (Нови Сад) — Provincial Capital of Province of Vojvodina and second largest city (after Belgrade).Novi Sad is located about 80 km north of Belgrade on the Danube river.The city is an important industrial, cultural, educational, health, sports and tourist center with many cultural and historical monuments and museums.There are well-known church, Novi Sad fortress, an interesting National Park "Fruska Gora" is rich with vineyards and Serbian monasteries (over 16, called the Holy Mountain). South of town, on the side of Srem, "old road" to Belgrade, there is a small town of Sremski Karlovci, which has a rich history, famous churches, buildings, museums, and famous wine cellars. Užice (Ужице)-is a town in western Serbia in the Zlatibor district, 200 km southwest of Beograda.Grad lies between the hills on the river Đetinja. It is an important transportation, economic, cultural, sports center, with a rich history. Near the town (Uzice) of the famous tourist destinations Zlatibor, Tara, Mokra Gora (Drvengrad) narrow gauge railway "Sargan Eight" and so on. Požarevac (Пожаревац) — One of the oldest cities in Serbia with a large historic heritage.An important commercial and cultural center, in addition to the Velika Morava river, is situated about 80 km east of Belgrade. Near the town is a small town of Stari Kostolac where is the famous archaeological site Viminacium.In Pozarevac was born former president of he Republic of Serbia, the hero - Slobodan Milosevic (he was also buried there).Pozarevac is also known for Ljubicevo Equestrian Games. Sremska Mitrovica (Сремска Митровица) — one of the oldest cities in Serbia and in Europe. It was once known as Sirmium in the Roman Empire, and was one of the four capitals during the tetrarchy period. Subotica (Суботица) — has been rated as one of the most beautiful cities of Serbia. It is in North Serbia, and is the closest city to Palic.An important commercial and cultural center with a rich history. The main languages are Serbian and Hungarian.In the vicinity of Subotica is a famous resort and lake Palic, and Ludoško lake. Vranje (Врање) -is located in southeast Serbia closer to the FYRM (Skopje), at 340 km from Belgrade and 100 km from Nis, in the South Morava River valley.It is an important commercial and cultural center, with a rich history. Nearby is known Vranjska spa, and mountain Besna Kobila. Vršac (Вршац) — One of the most beautiful cities in Serbia.Located at 80 km northeast of Belgrade, near Romania. Vrsac has developed economic and cultural and sports center, rich in vineyards. Other destinations include: Oplenac (Опленац), (town of Topola) south, near Belgrade. There is a Mausoleum of the Serbian Royal family Karadjordjevic (St. George's Church), museums. You can also enjoy the famous royal Oplenac the vineyard. Surrounding the town of Topola is a famous wine growing region with excellent wine. Guča (Гуча)— a village in the Dragačevo district (about 20 km from Čačak), where a famous brass music festival (Трубачки фестивал) is held annually. Kopaonik National Park (Копаоник Н. П.) — as well as the ski-resort in the Kopaonik Mountain in southern Serbia.Kopaonik is the major ski resort of Serbia, with total of 23 ski lifts. A national park spread over 118.1 km2 (45.6 sq mi).Kopaonik has a rich historical heritage.Sports and recreation are key factors to the tourism of Kopaonik. There are various other activities as well. Other features which attract tourists are a luxurious hotel, and entertainment. Kopaonik has many cafes, bars and night clubs etc. Palić (Палић) — the lovely lake area in the north with baroque parks, the monuments of art nouveau architecture and a long tradition in catering made it fashionable summer resort. Palić is the host of a film festival, World Ethno Music Festival, and various sporting events. Soko Banja (Соко Бања) — the road to Sokobanja detaches on 200-th kilometer of the motorway Belgrade - Athens. Sokobanja is situated in basin between the mountains Rtanj (1,560m) and Ozren (1,117m), 400m above the sea level. Sokobanja is a famous spa and tourist place in Serbia for its moderate continental climate and immense surfaces of woods, fresh air and a lot of thermo-mineral sources. They all make Sokobanja an exceptional place in Serbia. Zlatibor (Златибор)— a very famous mountainous tourist site and ski-resort in the southwest.Zlatibor is located near the town of Uzice, en route to Montenegro.Zlatibor is situated at an altitude of 1000 m., summers are sunny, fresh air, cold winters, beautiful landscapes, meadows, pastures, valleys, ethnic villages, sports facilities, etc.There you have special medical and famous Rehabilitation Institute. Tara (Тара), is a mountain located in western Serbia(near Zlatibor mountain). It is part of Dinaric Alps and stands at 1,000-1,500 meters above sea level. The mountain's slopes are clad in dense forests with numerous high-altitude clearings and meadows, steep cliffs, deep ravines carved by the nearby Drina River and many karst, or limestone caves. The mountain is a popular tourist center.Most of the mountain is a "National Park Tara".Mountain Tara has a nice Zaovine Lake, at an altitude of 800 m. Vrnjačka Banja (Врњачка Бања) - Vrnjačka Spa is the largest and most famous spa resort in Serbia and traditionally very attractive tourist resort for rest and recreation. The spa is located in central Serbia, 200 km south of Belgrade, near city of Kraljevo (Trstenik). Vlasina (Власина) air spa and lake - located about 350 km. southeast of Belgrade,after Leskovac, near Surdulica. Vlasina is located at an altitude of 1200 m. and the surface of the lake is 16 square kilometers. Vlasina the landscape of outstanding features.

San Marino (officially the Republic of San Marino) is the third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy City and Monaco), and claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy, which surrounds it. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor. San Marino is made up of a few towns dotted around the mountain sides. The capital of San Marino is itself called 'San Marino' and is situated high up on a mountain top. The capital is surrounded by a wall and three distinct towers overlook the rest of the country. The site "San Marino: Historic Centre and Mount Titano" has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008.

The largest country in the world, Russia spreads itself across two continents and nine time zones. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia reformulated itself as the Russian Federation and continues as one of the world’s great countries and a recognized superpower. Russia possesses a rich culture with a broad spectrum. It’s a country full of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture and a vast array of historical destinations. Europe’s longest river, the Volga traverses the country. The tallest building in Russia, St. Basil’s Cathedral can be found in the iconic Russian city of Moscow along with the many other treasures this largest city in Europe possesses. The city of St. Petersburg offers myriad museums, theaters and galleries. But there is far more to Russia than these cities and the often visited towns of the Golden Ring. Contrasting geography from seaside villages to mountain resorts and the vast expanse of Siberia await traveler’s exploration. Active volcanos, geysers and mineral springs dot the landscape. Wildlife is abundant. A trip to the largest country in the world that spans the continents of Asia and Europe may be the dream fulfilling trip that awaits you. You will need to do a significant amount of planning and preparation once you add a trip to Russian to your list. Start that process today and stimulate your imagination while investigating the best way to see and do exactly what you want.

Romania is a country located north of the Balkan Peninsula on the western shores of the Black Sea. It is a country of great natural beauty and diversity and a rich cultural heritage. Romania enchants visitors with its scenic mountain landscapes and unspoilt rural areas, but also with its historic cities and its busy capital. Over the last decade, it has seen significant development and is one of the most recent members of the European Union. Still, it may surprise some of its visitors who are used to western Europe. Romania is a large country which can sometimes be shocking with contrasts: some cities are truly Western Europe; some villages can seem to have been brought back from the past. While it has significant cultural similarities with other Balkan states, it is regarded as unique due to its strong Latin heritage. Things for which Romania is famous include: the Carpathian mountains, Constantin Brancusi, wine, medieval fortresses, Mircea Eliade, the electronic microscope, Dacia cars, Dracula, insulin, E. M. Cioran, stuffed cabbage leaves, multi-ethnic peace, the jet engine, Nadia Comaneci, the Black Sea, Gheorghe Hagi, sunflower fields, painted monasteries and the Danube Delta. Romania's main cities are: Bucharest — the capital of Romania, in which megalomanic monuments, including "House of the People", built during Ceauşescu's reign overlook medieval neighbourhoods Brașov — located in south-eastern Transylvania, its main attractions are the well kept medieval downtown, the nearby luxury resort of Poiana Braşov and the proximity to Rasnov and the Bran Castle. Cluj-Napoca — the largest town in Transylvania, is a major economic center and also a very youthful city, as it has one of the largest universities in Europe. Constanţa — it's Romania's main Black Sea port and one of the major commercial hubs in the region. The northernmost district, Mamaia, is one of the best Black Sea resorts. Iaşi — the second largest Romanian city, it was the capital of the Moldavian principality until 1861 and briefly capital of Romania. Today it remains one of the major economic and cultural centres in the country. Sibiu — one of the most beautiful cities in the region, it has the best preserved historical sites in the country, numerous museums and exhibitions, proximity to the stunning Făgăraş mountains, for which reasons it became the 2007 European Capital of Culture. Sighişoara — the city's downtown area, the Sighisoara Citadel, is the last inhabited medieval citadel in Europe and one of the best preserved. Suceava — the main city in Bukovina and the medieval capital of Moldavia; it can be used as starting point for visiting the Monasteries in the region. Timişoara — the largest town in the Banat region, it's one of the most prosperous and modernized cities in Romania; it was here that the 1989 Romanian anti-communist revolution began. Other destinations include: Sinaia, Predeal, Poiana Brasov, Baile Herculane, Vatra Dornei, and all ski resorts; Transylvanian Alps; Carpathian Mountains; Painted Monasteries; Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania; Danube Delta; The Black Sea resorts.

Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A strip of Moldova's internationally recognized territory on the east bank of the river Dniester has been under the de facto control of the breakaway government of Transnistria since 1990. Moldova is known for its wines. For many years viticulture and winemaking in Moldova were the general occupation of the population. Evidence of this is present in historical memorials and documents, folklore, and the Moldovan spoken language. Vineyards/cellars include Cricova, Purcari, Ciumai, Romanesti, Cojuşna, Milestii Mici. The country has a well established wine industry. It has a vineyard area of 147,000 hectares (360,000 acres), of which 102,500 ha (253,000 acres) are used for commercial production. Most of the country's wine production is made for export. Many families have their own recipes and strands of grapes that have been passed down through the generations. Moldova consumes the highest amount of alcohol per capita in the world.

Portugal in Southern Europe, shares the Iberian peninsula at the western tip of Europe with Spain. Geographically and culturally somewhat isolated from its neighbor, Portugal has a rich, unique culture, lively cities and beautiful countryside. Although it was once one of the poorest countries in Western Europe, the end of dictatorship and introduction of Democracy in 1974, as well as its incorporation into the European Union in 1986, has meant significantly increased prosperity. However it may be one of the best value destinations on the Continent. This is because the country offers outstanding landscape diversity, due to its North-South disposition along the western shore of the Iberian peninsula. You can travel in a single day from green mountains in the North, covered with vines and all varieties of trees to rocky mountains, with spectacular slopes and falls in the Centre, to a near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region and finally to the glamorous beach holidays destination Algarve. The climate, combined with investments in the golfing infrastructure in recent years, has also turned the country into a golfing haven. Portugal was recently named "Best Golf Destination 2008" by readers of Golfers Today, a British publication. Fourteen of Portugal's courses are rated in the top 100 best in Europe. If you want a condensed view of European landscapes, culture and way of life, Portugal might very well fit the bill. Portugals main cities are: Lisbon (Lisboa) - national capital, city of the seven hills Aveiro - the "Venice" of Portugal Braga - city of Archbishops Coimbra - home of the ninth oldest university in the world. Évora - "Museum City", Alentejo regional capital Funchal - the capital of Madeira Guimarães - the founding place of the nation Porto (Oporto) - the northern capital, "Invincible City", along the river Douro and the Atlantic Ocean Viana do Castelo - Famous for the Nossa Senhora da Agonia Festival. Other destinations include: Praia D'El Rey Peneda-Gerês National Park Douro & Coa - river valleys Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of mainland Portugal and European continent, near Cascais Serra da Estrela Coa Valley a registered World Heritage Site

Poland, is a large country in Central Europe. It has a long Baltic Sea coastline and is bordered by Belarus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast), Slovakia, and Ukraine. The countryside throughout Poland is lovely and relatively unspoiled. Poland has a variety of regions with beautiful landscapes and small-scale organic and traditional farms. Travelers can choose different types of activities such as bird watching, cycling or horseback riding. Culturally, you can visit and/or experience many churches, museums, ceramic and traditional basket-making workshops, castle ruins, rural centers and many more. A journey through the Polish countryside gives you a perfect opportunity to enjoy and absorb local knowledge about its landscape and people. Poland's main cities are: Warsaw — Poland's capital and one of the EU's thriving new business centres; the old town, nearly completely destroyed during World War II, has been rebuilt in a style inspired by classicist paintings of Canalletto Gdańsk — one of the old, beautiful European cities, rebuilt after World War II and a good departure point to the many sea resorts along the Baltic coast Łódź — once renowned for its textile industries, the "Polish Manchester" has the longest walking street in Europe, the Piotrkowska Street, full of picturesque 19th-century architecture Katowice — most important city in Silesia, being both an important commercial hub and a centre of culture Kraków — the "cultural capital" of Poland and its historical capital in the Middle Ages; its center is filled with old churches, monuments, pubs and the largest European medieval market-place Lublin — the biggest city in Eastern Poland, it has a well-preserved old town with typical Polish and unusual Renaissance architecture, the socalled Lublin Renaissance Poznan — the merchant city, considered to be the birthplace of the Polish nation and church (along with Gniezno); presents a mixture of architecture from all epoques Szczecin — most important city of Pomerania with an enormous harbour, monuments, old parks and museums Wrocław — the old Silesian city that was successfully rebuilt; placed on 12 islands, it has more bridges than any other European town except Venice, Amsterdam and Hamburg Other destinations include: Auschwitz — German Nazi Concentration Camp that became the centre of the Holocaust on the European Jews in World War II Białowieża National Park — a huge area of ancient woodland straddling the border with Belarus designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Bory Tucholskie National Park — national park protecting the Tucholskie Forests Kalwaria Zebrzydowska — monastery in the Beskids from 1600 with baroque Stations of the Cross Karkonoski National Park — national park in the Sudetes around the Śnieżka Mountain with beautiful waterfalls Malbork — home to the Malbork Castle, the beautiful huge Brick Gothic castle and the largest one in Europe Słowiński National Park — national park at the sea with the biggest dunes in Europe Wieliczka Salt Mine — the oldest still existing enterprise worldwide, this salt mine was exploited since more than 700 years ago Wielkopolski National Park — national park in Greater Poland protecting the wildlife of the Wielkopolskie Lakes Kostrzyń - Woodstock festival, a free music and arts outdoor festival, the largest in Europe, on the first weekend of August

The Scandinavian country of Norway is probably best known for its countless fjords, the northern lights, and its rich Viking history. Norway has much more to offer visitors all year round. Although the adventures along the fjords and mountain landscapes are popular summer escapes, exploring them during winter opens up new possibilities not to mention terrains. People can now take a high-speed boat across the fjord to ski previously inaccessible trails in the Lyngen Alps. There are many parts of Norway that are quite modern such as its capital, Oslo. It has a new opera house on the waterfront, many music and cultural festivals, museums, and a vibrant nightlife. If you want to see a more historical side of the country, visit central Norway. In particular, take a stroll through the old mining town of Røros, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you’ll see traditional wood homes with lawns growing on rooftops. Travel further north to experience the midnight sun and northern lights. While there you can even go on a wildlife safari on land or on sea. Norway is a truly exotic place with a landscape as diversified as its rich cultural history. Norway has the followign festivals and events: Tromsø International Film Festival – January Ice Music Festival – January Northern Lights Festival – January/February Ice Climbing Festival – February Rørosmartnan (Røros Fair) – February Polar Jazz – February Holmenkollen Ski Festival – March Birkebeinerrennet – March Winter Festival Narvik – March Infernal Metal Festival – April Easter Festival – April Norwegian Festival of Literature – May Norway’s national Day - May Norwegian Wood Festival – June Viking Festival – June Midnight Summer Marathon – June Oslo Pride – June Arts Festival of North Norway – June Ekstremsportveko – June/July Hove Festival – June/July Risør Chamber Music Festival– June/July Grieg in Bergen – June – August Sand Volleyball Grand Slam – July Kongsberg Jazz Festival – July Norwegian Grand Prix Arendal Class One – July Molde International Jazz Festival – July Gladmat Festival – July Riddu Riddu Sami Festival – July Førde International Folk Music Festival – July Mela Festival – July Norway Cup – July/August Hamsun Days – July/August St. Olav Festival – July/August Peer Gynt Festival – August Notodden Blues Festival –August Norwegian International Film Festival – August Risør Wooden Boat Festival – August Øya Festival – August Ultima Festival – September Oslo Marathon – September Nuart – October DølaJazz – October Bergen International Film Festival – October Rakfisk Festival – November Gingerbread Town – December

The Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Netherlands in short (also commonly called Holland in English) is a Benelux country, bordering Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. The people, language, and culture of the Netherlands are referred to as "Dutch". With over 16 million people on an area roughly twice the size of New Jersey, it's a densely populated country with its gorgeous capital Amsterdam being just one of many interesting cities. Once a great naval power, this small nation boasts a wealth of cultural heritage and is famous for its painters, windmills, clogs and notoriously flat lands. A modern European country today, it preserved its highly international character and is known for its liberal mentality. As a founding member of EU and NATO, and host to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands are at the heart of international cooperation. Its small size, welcoming attitude to travellers and many sights make it a unique and fairly easy to discover destination and a great addition to any European trip. The Netherlands has many cities and towns of interest to travelers. Below are nine of the most notable ones: Amsterdam — impressive architecture, lovely canals (grachten), museums and liberal attitudes Delft — historic unspoiled town with the world-famous blue and white ceramics Groningen — student city with a relaxed atmosphere and nightlife till the sun gets up The Hague — the judicial capital of the world, the seat of government and the royal family Leiden — historic student city with the country's oldest university and three national museums Maastricht — fortified mediaeval city showing the different culture, style and architecture of the south Nijmegen — oldest city of the country, known for its marches, left-wing politics and large student population Rotterdam — modern architecture, good nightlife, vibrant art scene and the largest port of Europe Utrecht — historic centre, antique stores and the Rietveld-Schröder House These are some interesting destinations outside of the major cities. Efteling — renowned theme park with fairytale elements like elves and dwarves Hoge Veluwe National Park — largest national park with heathlands, sand dunes and woodlands Keukenhof — more than 800,000 visitors see these enormous flower fields each spring Kinderdijk — these windmills show the typical Dutch landscape in all its glory Schokland — old island evacuated in 1859, a well-preserved ghost village remains South Limburg — hilly green landscapes, picturesque villages, castles and orchards Texel — largest island suited for cycling, walking, swimming and horse riding Waterland and Zaan Region — typical Dutch villages with clogs, wooden houses, windmills and the Zaanse Schans Zaanse Schans — open air museum with Dutch windmills and Zaan houses

This small country on the Adriatic Sea is rich in culture, natural beauty, and history. It is considered part of the Balkans and the Mediterranean and is Iocated near Albania, Kosovo, Seriba, Bosnia, and Croatia. Montenegro’s delightful Velika Plaza is eight miles of soft white beach. The waves along this shore and breezy weather are attracting kite surfers and wind surfers from around the globe. If the beach isn’t your scene, then be sure to check out Skadar Lake National Park. It has one of the largest bird reservations in Europe, which is also home to a habitat of pelicans. You can walk along the shore or go for a boat ride on the lake. Either way this is one of Montenegro’s must-see spots. Perhaps one of Montenegro’s most enchanting spots is Sveti Stefan (St. Stephen), which is about a 15-minute drive from Budva. The island once acted as a way to protect Montenegro, but now its windy streets, old cannon openings along the walls, and town squares all add to the picturesque romance of this island getaway. In the past few years Montenegro has been attracting a lot more visitors and as a result, it has been undergoing a bit of a transformation with old hotels being renovated and new ones being built. Not to worry, none of the country’s charm has been sacrificed. The country has the following festivals & events: Vrela zima u brdima (Hot winter in the hills) – January/February/March Montenegro Winter Cup – January Svi na snijeg (Everyone on the snow) – January Festival mimoze(Mimosa Festival) – February Kotor Carnival - February Dani kamelije (Days of Camellia) – March On the roads of King Nikola – April Spring Masked Ball – April Podgorica’s Ultra marathon – April Lim regatta – May Montenegro Cup – May International book fair – May Pro Beach Soccer – May Budva Music Festival – June International Dance Festival – June Dives in the river Moraca – July Music festival – Suncane skale (Sunny stairs) – July Kotor’s summer fiestas – July International Fashion Festival – July Entrance – festival of electronic music – August International Summer Carnival – August Petrovac Jazz fest – August Podgorica marathon – October International TV festival – November

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city state on the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera). It is surrounded on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy. Monaco boasts the world's highest GDP nominal per capita at $215,163 and is the most densely populated country in the world. Monaco also has the world's highest life expectancy at almost 90 years, and the lowest unemployment rate. After a recent expansion of Port Hercule Monaco's total area is 2.02 km² , with new plans to extend the district of Fontvieille. One of Monaco's main sources of income is tourism; each year many are attracted to its casino and pleasant climate. Monaco's own citizens are not allowed to gamble in the casino. The Blancs opened Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo in 1858, and the casino benefited from the tourist traffic the newly built French railway system created. Due to the combination of the casino and the railroads, Monaco finally recovered from the previous half century of economic slump, and the principality's success attracted other businesses. In the years following the casino's opening Monaco founded its Oceanographic Museum and the Monte Carlo Opera House, 46 hotels sprang up and the number of jewellers operating in Monaco increased by nearly 500 percent. Today, Le Grand Casino still operates in the original building the Blancs constructed and has been joined by several other casinos, including Le Casino Café de Paris, the Monte Carlo Bay Casino, the Monte Carlo Sporting Club & Casino (Summer Casino) and the Sun Casino. The most recent addition to the list—the first casino to open in Monte Carlo in 75 years—is the Monte Carlo Bay Casino, which sits on 4 hectares of the Mediterranean Garden and, among other things, offers 145 slot machines, all equipped with "Ticket-In, Ticket-Out" (TITO); it is the first Mediterranean casino to utilize this technology. Since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prixhas been held annually in the streets of Monaco. It is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world. The erection of the Circuit de Monaco takes six weeks to complete, and the removal after the race another three weeks. The circuit has many elevation changes and tight corners, along with a tunnel. This together with being incredibly narrow and tight makes it perhaps the most demanding Formula One track. Only two drivers have ever crashed into the harbour, the most famous being Alberto Ascari in the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix, just four days before losing his life at Monza. The other was Paul Hawkins, during the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix. The Monte Carlo Rallyhas been held since 1911, having originally been held at the behest of Prince Albert I and is, like the principality's Grand Prix, organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco. It has long been considered to be one of the toughest and most prestigious events in rallying and from 1973 to 2008 was the opening round of the World Rally Championship. Since 2009, the rally has served as the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, having most recently been run on the 19th-22 January 2011 in celebration of the event's centenary.

Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea that lies south of the island of Sicily, Italy. The country is an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Għawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited. The main cities are: Valletta — the capital, named for Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who was Grand Master of the Order of St. John and leader of the defenders during the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565 Cottonera (Three Cities) — The name used when referring to the three historic and ancient cities of Birgu (aka Vittoriosa), Isla (aka Senglea) and Bormla (aka Cospicua), three towns conglomerated by 16th century fortifications called the Cottonera lines Marsaxlokk — fishing village south of the island Mdina — Malta's well-preserved quiet old capital. pronounced 'im-dina' Mgarr Rabat — hosts numerous historical attractions such as St. Paul's catacombs and the Domus Romana(previously known as Roman Villa) St. Julian's — perfect area for nightlife & entertainment Sliema — shopping centre just north of Valletta Victoria — the main town on Gozo Other destinations include: Hagar Qim and Mnajdra - Two very beautiful stone age temples set on the cliffside of south west Malta. Their majesty has now been marred by protective tents and a 2 storey new building nearby. Mellieħa - A locality in Malta surrounded by the largest and some of the most wonderful sandy beaches on the Islands Golden Bay - One of Malta's most beautiful sandy beaches, on the northwest coast of the island. Għajn Tuffieha - "Long Steps Bay", just behind Golden Bay. Just as beautiful, but less crowded during the high season. Blue Grotto - A series of seven caves and inlets on the southern side of Malta famous for deep blue waters and spectacular natural rock formations. The Blue Grotto may be accessed by small traditional boats, skippered by cheerful Maltese guides, which leave from a well-signposted pier just off the main road along the south coast. Clapham Junction - An area of western central Malta (not far from Buskett woods) where deep ruts in the bedrock appear to have been formed in the remote past by wagons or carts. Some of these ruts cross rock-cut punic tombs, proving that the ruts existed before the tombs. In the vicinity there are large caves which used to be inhabited by troglodites. St.Thomas Bay - A quaint inlet, 1km beyond Marsaskala, with a sloping, built up area on one side, and barren Munxar white cliffs on the other. There are 2 small sandy beaches ideal for swimming in summer. Beneath Munxar there is now a 'window' at the cliffside. Beyond Munxar Point there are amazing, very high, white cliffs, with 2 large and deep caves in them. Many amateur fishermen own boathouses in the vicinity and go fishing whenever the sea is calm.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a landlocked country in the Benelux bordered by Belgium, France and Germany, lying at the crossroad of Germanic and Latin cultures. It is the only Grand Duchy in the world and is the second-smallest of the European Union member states. With a successful steel, finance and high technology industry, a strategic location at the heart of Western Europe, more natural beauty than you might expect given its size, and as one of the top three richest countries in the world, Luxembourg enjoys a very high standard of living and has prices to match! The main cities are: Luxembourg - Capital Esch-sur-Alzette Ettlebruck Clervaux Esch-sur-Sure Diekirch — home to a World War II museum commemorating the Battle of the Bulge Mertert Echternach Grevenmacher Other destinations include: Vianden - Quaint small town presided over by a rather splendid château Remich - For promenades along the Moselle Mondorf-les-Bains - Spa town located on Luxembourg-France border

Lithuania is a Baltic country in Europe. It has a Baltic Sea coastline in the west and surrounded by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east, Poland to the southwest, and Russia (Kaliningrad) to the west. Lithuania's main cities are: Vilnius — the capital of the country with many medieval churches Kaunas — the second largest city and temporary capital of the country Klaipėda — the third biggest city, famous for its summer festivals Other destinations include: Aukštaitija National Park — a land of lakes, hills and forests, popular for water tourism and rural tourism in the summer Curonian Spit — unique sand dunes with rare flora, seaboard forest, white sanded beaches and old ethnographic villages Dzūkija National Park — the biggest forest (Dainavos) and swamp (Čepkelių) in the country, and some old unique villages in the middle of the forests Hill of Crosses — site of religious significance, north of Šiauliai Kernavė — former Lithuanian capital at the bank of the river Neris and now a well-preserved archaeological site Purnuskes — according to some measures the center of Europe Žemaičių Kalvarija — famous pilgrimage site, most visitors come in the beginning of July to visit the large church festival

The Principality of Liechtenstein is a small alpine German-speaking country doubly landlocked by Switzerland and Austria (it is landlocked by landlocked countries). It is the last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire and is an independent state with very close ties to Switzerland. It enjoys a very high standard of living and is home to some incredibly beautiful mountain scenery. The principality's capital, Vaduz, is a major center of commerce and international banking and mainly a modern city. Liechtenstein is very mountainous and one of the world's two doubly-landlocked countries (along with Uzbekistan). Most of the country's population lives in the long and wide Rhine Valley in the western third. Roads are mainly laid out in a north-south pattern following the valley as well. To the north the main roads lead to the border with Austria, to the south they enter Switzerland, and to the west across the river the bridges also cross into Switzerland. The eastern border to Austria is not passable and is only accessible by foot as it is very mountainous. The country's highest point is the Grauspitz, which stretches to 2,599m. Liechtenstein is 2.5 time bigger than San Marino and it is 81 times bigger than Monaco. The following are the main cities: Vaduz — capital city of Liechtenstein and the seat of government Balzers — this town is home to a very beautiful church and castle Malbun — an area for skiing and snowboarding Schaan — the largest populated area in the country Triesen — a small town south of Vaduz Triesenberg — an alpine town high in Liechtenstein's mountains Ruggell — a town in northern Liechtenstien where there is a nature reserve of rare plants and animals Bendern — where Liechtenstien was born in 1699 Nendeln — Where there are a ceramics works and Roman ruins Schellenberg — a town with a museum of rural homes

Latvia is a European state which is situated on the coast of Baltic Sea. One of the three Baltic states, Latvia is bordered by Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south , Russia to the east, Belarus on the south east, and the Baltic Sea on the west. The most famous travel spot is the capital Riga, a World Heritage Site. There are also many other great places to see, both urban and rural, such as Liepaja with its unique former secret military town of Karosta and a magnificent beach. Kuldiga with Europe`s widest waterfall and Cesis with its medieval castle ruins are also interesting. Tourists can also enjoy the wild beauty of Latvia's unspoilt sea coast, which is 500 km long and consists mainly of white, soft sandy beaches. Forests, which cover approximately a half of Latvia's territory, offer many nature trails and nature parks. Latvia's main cities are: Riga - the capital city with more than 800 years old history, with the popular holiday suburb of Jūrmala right by Daugavpils - second biggest city in Latvia. Features many factories and other industries. Jurmala Kuldīga - Kuldīga is the pearl of Kurzeme, Latvia's western region. Liepaja - city of music on the Baltic sea coast, which is always windy. Latvians believe that the wind starts in the city; and well-known Latvian musicians come from there. There is a very interesting former secret military town called Karosta, between a lake and the sea. One of the world's largest pipe organs. Famous summer event Baltic Beach Party in July. Fantastic unspoilt, white, soft sandy beach. Madona - a small scenic town in eastern Vidzeme, surrounded by hills, forests and lakes, capital of winter sports. Sigulda - popular town with many interesting castles and historic places. Most popular attraction outside Riga for foreign tourists. Valka Ventspils - hosts one of busiest ports in Europe. It is possible to observe incoming ships. Other destinations include: Latvijas Etnografiskais Brivdabas Muzejs — open air museum of the traditional culture of Latvian tribes, near Riga Livu Akvaparks — the biggest water attraction in Northern Europe Karostas cietums — true Soviet prison experience with live prison show as well as night in prison. Based in the Karosta suburb of Liepaja Open Air Art Museum — modern art and installations in nature park, near Sabile in Kurzeme region

Italy is a large country in Southern Europe. Together with Greece, it is acknowledged as the birthplace of Western culture. Not surprisingly, it is also home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. High art and monuments are to be found everywhere around the country. It is also famous worldwide for its delicious cuisine, its trendy fashions, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, diverse regional cultures and dialects, as well as for its many beautiful coasts, alpine lakes and mountains (the Alps and Apennines). No wonder it is often nicknamed the Bel paese (beautiful country). Two independent mini-states are surrounded entirely by Italy: San Marino and Vatican City. While technically not part of the European Union, both of these states are also part of the Schengen Region and the European Monetary Union, (EMU). Apart from different police uniforms, there is no evident transition from these states and Italy's territory, and the currency is the same. Italian is also the lingua-franca in both city-states. There are hundreds of Italian cities. Here are nine of its most famous: Rome (Roma) — the capital, both of Italy and, in the past, of the Roman Empire until 285 AD Bologna — one of the world's great university cities that is filled with history, culture, technology and food Florence (Firenze) — the Renaissance city known for its architecture and art that had a major impact throughout the world Genoa (Genova) — an important medieval maritime republic; its port brings in tourism and trade, along with art and architecture Milan (Milano) — one of the main fashion cities of the world, but also Italy's most important centre of trade and business Naples (Napoli) — one of the oldest cities of the Western world, with a historic city centre that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Pisa — one the medieval maritime republics, it is home to the unmistakable image of the Leaning Tower of Pisa Turin (Torino) — a well-known industrial city, home of FIAT, other automobiles and the aerospace industry Venice (Venezia) — one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, known for its history, art, and of course its world famous canals Other destinations include: Amalfi Coast — stunningly beautiful rocky coastline, so popular that private cars are banned in the summer months Italian Alps — some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe, including Mont Blanc and Mount Rosa Capri — the famed island in the Bay of Naples, formerly a favored resort of the Roman emperors Cinque Terre — five tiny, scenic, towns strung along the steep vineyard-laced coast of Liguria Lake Como — its atmosphere has been appreciated for its beauty and uniqueness since Roman times Lake Garda — a beautiful lake in Northern Italy surrounded with many small villages Pompeii and Herculaneum — two neighbouring cities covered by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79, now excavated to reveal life as it was in Roman times Praja a Mare — Italy's best kept secret, with the stunning Dino Island, the Blu Grotto, and the Arcomagno bays Vatican City — the independent city-state and seat of the Pope, head of the Roman Catholic Church

The Emerald Isle is an appropriate nickname for the European island most everyone knows is Ireland. “Emerald” because of the expansive hilly green landscape that seemingly stretches as far as the eye can see and, “Isle”, since, after all, it’s the 3rd largest island in Europe, separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Ireland contains a pair of complicated political divisions that are part of the United Kingdom. A little over 80% of the island constitutes the democracy known as The Republic of Ireland having its capital in the city of Dublin. The northern portion of the island, known as Northern Ireland, is more closely aligned with the British political structure and maintains its capital in Belfast. Dublin is Ireland’s most populated city and the primary entry point for visitors. The city is found at the mid-point of the island’s eastern shoreline at the mouth of the River Liffey. The surrounding area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and the city contains some important ancient landmarks and monuments. Dublin Castle is a great example of a Norman fortification originally designed to protect the citizenry more than 800 years ago and a popular place for tourists to visit. Dublin possesses an important literary history. Many prominent writers, including Nobel laureates William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett along with other influential writers and playwrights such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Bram Stoker (creator of Dracula) called the city home. Dublin was the location of many of the works of James Joyce, including Ulysses, which is set in Dublin and is full of details about the city. Ireland's biggest libraries and museums are found in Dublin, including the National Print Museum of Ireland, The National Gallery of Ireland and National Library of Ireland. The Dublin Writers Museum occupies an original 18th century house, which accommodates the museum rooms, library and gallery. The Museum was established to promote interest in Irish literature and in the lives and works of individual Irish writers. It’s no secret that throughout the world the Irish are known for their fondness for beer and whiskey and the quality output from their breweries and distilleries. Visitors to the Emerald Isle enjoy learning about the history of production and visiting some famous drinking holes along with tours of renowned distilleries and breweries. Irish Whiskey has fans all over the world and tours of the Jameson Distillery, complete with a taste of the produce, attracts both the initiated and those that have never felt the warmth a single malt whiskey. Temple Bar is an area on the south bank of the River Liffey in central Dublin with a preserved medieval street pattern. Temple Bar is promoted as "Dublin's Cultural Quarter" having a lively nightlife that is popular with tourists. The Guinness Storehouse is a Guinness beer-themed tourist attraction located at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin where the history of Guinness is told through interactive exhibition areas including presentations about the ingredients, brewing process, transport, cooperage, advertising and sponsorship. Tours are typically completed by quaffing a pint of the quintessential almost black in color Irish brew. Trinity College is Ireland's oldest and most notable college. Founded in 1592 in Dublin by Queen Elizabeth I, the hallowed halls house an amazing collection of literature within the Trinity College Library. The Book of Kells, a vibrantly illustrated version of the four Gospels of the New Testament that was created around 800AD by Celtic monks is housed in the library. Trinity College is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland, as well as Ireland's oldest university. Another popular site in Dublin is St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Dublin and the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Originally built at the end of the 12th century on the site where St. Patrick is said to have baptized converts some 600 years earlier the Cathedral is one of the most renowned and beloved churches in the world. Also found at the Cathedral is the tomb of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels. Europe's largest public green space, Phoenix Park, features plenty of lush green lawns, shady wooded areas and cool, clean lakes. The Dublin Zoo, the third oldest zoo in Europe, finds Phoenix Park its home, as does the Farmleigh House, a large Edwardian estate with a working farm. Visitors to the Dublin area also enjoy hiking and cycling in and around the city as well as along the coastline. One such outing is the Hike Portmarnock to Malahide skirting one of the best beaches in County Dublin, also an important site in the early days of aviation and displays a number of fortifications built to defend the coastline before finishing at what was one of the longest continuously inhabited castles in Ireland. Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital and the island’s 2nd largest city is situated at the mouth of the River Lagan. Visitors to Belfast quickly become acquainted with the city’s association with to the RMS Titanic, the British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912 after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton, UK to New York City; that collision prefaced one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in modern history. The RMS Titanic was the largest ship afloat at the time it entered service and was built by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Museums and tours with the infamous RMS Titanic at their core are scattered about the capital city of Northern Ireland. Belfast is also the home of numerous murals that have been painted on buildings, walls and any surface where the message intended could be delivered. The more than 2,000 documented murals scattered about the city primarily promote specific political beliefs while others commemorate events like the Great Irish Famine. Belfast is quickly gaining a reputation as a place where the pride and warmth of the locals translates into a good time for visitors that get out and about to experience the local culture. Much of Ireland’s charm and beauty is found outside the major cities among the rolling hillside and quaint seaside villages. The towns of Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny, Dingle and Doolin among countless others offer visitors a broad range of experiences from traditional Irish music centers and ancient castles to hallowed houses of worship. Ireland's natural beauty and those rolling green hillsides are perhaps the island’s most famous quality. Glorious beaches, vast national parks, dramatic landscapes and interesting wildlife all make the Emerald Isle an ideal destination for recreation focused visitors. Cycling, hiking and rock climbing experiences can be found most everywhere on the island. Wicklow Mountains National Park stretches through County Wicklow, a short distance south of Dublin. It contains a variety of attractions that are popular with locals and tourists seeking recreation or some history lessons. Chief among the historic sites is Glendalough, which features a collection of Early Medieval monastic structures associated with St Kevin, a hermit priest. Other sites in the park include the Education Centre in Bolger's Cottage and remnants of mining villages. Recreational activities available within the park include nature walks, hiking and rock climbing, For those visitors with an interest in things that are very old, prehistoric monuments, some dating back more than 5,000 years, await exploration. Brú na Bóinne in Newgrange is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in County Meat that predates the Egyptian pyramids and was built with remarkable sophistication and a presumed knowledge of science and astronomy. An ancient temple is a fitting classification of this fascinating place, one of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much like present day cathedrals that are places of prestige and worship and where important citizens are laid to rest. Junkets to Ireland are highly ranked on the bucket lists of golfers the world over. World class golf is seemingly around every corner of the Emerald Isle. While great courses can be found virtually anywhere in Ireland, some truly memorable experiences await. Tralee Golf Club in County Kerry traces its routes to the latter part of the 19th century. The coastal town of Ballybunion maintains 2 links courses where golf has been played continually for more than 120 years. The Old Course at Ballybunion has gained a reputation as one of the best links golf courses in the world. Ballybunion is also the location of one of Ireland’s most famous surfing beaches. Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland ranks highly on the must-play lists of golf enthusiasts visiting Ireland. Royal Portrush hosted the first professional tournament in Ireland in 1895. In 1951, the course hosted the only Open Championship (British Open) ever held in Ireland. Royal County Down Golf Club is located against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Built by Old Tom Morris adjacent to the Irish Sea, Royal County Down has seen myriad major golf tournaments on its hallowed grounds dating back to the late 19th century, including The Walker Cup, The Curtis Cup, The Amateur Championship, The Irish Open and The Senior Open. Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland was also started by legendary Old Tom Morris in 1894. Later, English designer Martin Hawtree gave the Lahinch greens more size and slope, adding bunkers and reshaping fairways. The result is a masterpiece that gladdens the hearts of high handicappers and Tour pros alike. (Phil Mickelson has called Lahinch his favorite links course). The K Club, near Dublin, boasts a great course combined with a plush retreat. Other unforgettable courses can be found near Dublin at The Island Golf Club, Portmarnock Golf Club and Druids Glen. Fishing, or “Angling” opportunities in Ireland are also world class. The River Slaney traverses 70 miles of scenic Irish countryside before discharging into the Irish Sea at St. George’s Channel at the town of Wexford. Near the town of Bunclody in County Wexford the confluence of the River Slaney with the River Clody is found where springtime sees the Slaney with abundant water giving rise to terrific Salmon Fishing providing catchable fish up to 10+ pounds primarily for fly fishing enthusiasts. Deep Sea fishing is also popular with outfitters being found in most seaside towns. Lighthouses with storied pasts also call to visitors to the Emerald Isle. Fastnet Rock is a small islet in the Atlantic Ocean at the most southerly point of Ireland near County Cork on the Irish mainland. Fastnet was known as “Ireland's Teardrop” because it was the last part of the country that Irish emigrants would see as they sailed to the United States in the 19th century. Fanad Lighthouse is a dramatic structure located on a peninsula that lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay guarding the north coast of County Donegal. The Hook Head Lighthouse is a purposeful building situated at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford; Hook Head is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, and the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland. And, visitors looking for a total immersion lighthouse experience can spend the night at Blackhead Lightkeepers' Houses which are ideally situated on the North Shore of Belfast Lough. The panoramic views from the property are stunning filling visitors with delight. A trip to Ireland, at least the first trip, may not be considered complete without partaking of a tradition known as “Kissing the Blarney Stone” – properly called the Stone of Eloquence by its owners. This block of Irish Bluestone has been caressed by the lips of statesmen, literary giants and legends of the silver screen according to local lore. Kissing the Blarney Stone is said to endow upon the kisser the “gift of gab”. The stone is built into the Blarney Castle that dates to the mid-15th century in its present form with lineage to the 12th century. Blarney Castle is well worth a visit to enjoy its impressive gardens and various buildings that are open to the public.

Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Member of the European Union and the Schengen Border-less Europe Agreement. The country offers many diverse destinations: relatively low mountains in the north-west, the Great Plain in the east, lakes and rivers of all sorts (including Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe), and many beautiful small villages and hidden gems of cities. Top this off with Hungary's great accessibility in the middle of Europe, a vivid culture and economy, and you get a destination absolutely not worth missing if you're in the region. Hungary is one of the 15 most popular tourist destinations in the world, with a capita lregarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Despite its relatively small size, the country is home to numerous World Heritage Sites, UNESCO Biosphere reserves, the second largest thermal lake in the world (Lake Hévíz), the largest lake in Central Europe (Lake Balaton), and the largest natural grassland in Europe (Hortobágy). In terms of buildings, Hungary is home to the largest synagogue in Europe (Great Synagogue), the largest medicinal bath in Europe (Széchenyi Medicinal Bath), the third largest church in Europe (Esztergom Basilica), the second largest territorial abbey in the world (Pannonhalma Archabbey), the second largest Baroque castle in the world (Gödöllő), and the largest Early Christian Necropolis outside Italy (Pécs). The main cities in Hungary are: Budapest — with green filled parks, interesting museums, and a pulsating nightlife, Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities Debrecen — the second largest city in the country Eger — a beautiful northern town with ancient castle and camera obscura Győr — there are many cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and night clubs in its lovely baroque city center Kecskemét — a town famous for its vibrant music scene, plum brandy, and Art Nouveau architecture Miskolc — with the unique cave bath in Miskolc-Tapolca, the third largest city in the coutry, located near the Bükk hills Nyíregyháza — a medium-sized city with a busy water resort, museum village, and annual autumn festival Pécs — a pleasant cultural centre and university town Szeged — the sunniest city in Hungary Székesfehérvár — former royal seat, currently famous for its baroque architecture and museums Other destinations include: Aggtelek — beautiful caves with dripstones and stalagmites Bükk — a section of the Carpathian Mountain range

Greece is a country in Southern Europe, on the southernmost tip of the Balkan peninsula, with extensive coastlines and islands in the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. It shares borders in the north with Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. It has an ancient culture that has had a significant influence on the arts, language, philosophy, politics, and sports of western society, including the genres of comedy and drama, western alphabets, Platonic ideals and the Socratic method, democracies and republics, and the Olympics. Furthermore it's a geographically appealing place to visit, with a mountainous mainland and idyllic island beaches. Greece is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, ranking in the world's top 20 countries. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the nation received about 17 million visitors from January to mid August 2007, a large number for a small country of 11 million. Visitors are drawn to the country's beaches and reliable sunny summer weather, its nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty. Over 90% of visitors who come to Greece come from other European countries, although in recent years there have been growing numbers of tourists from other world regions. The vast majority of visitors arrive during tourism season, which is April through October. Peak season is July through August, and most of the tourists and tourism industry are concentrated in Crete, the Dodecanese, Cyclades, and Western Greek Islands, and to a lesser extent: the Peloponnese, and the Halkidiki peninsula in Macedonia. There are still many rewarding areas in the country free of large-scale tourism. Many first-time visitors arrive in Greece with specific images in mind and are surprised to discover a country with suchregional and architectural diversity. The famous whitewashed homes and charming blue-domed churches only characterize a specific region of the country (the Cyclades Islands). Architecture varies greatly from one region to the next depending on the local history. Visitors will find Neoclassical architecture in the cities of Ermoupolis and Nafplion, Ottoman-influenced buildings in Grevená and Kozáni, whitewashed Cycladic homes on the island of Paros, and pastel-colored baroque homes and churches on Corfu. The nation's terrain is just as varied as its architectural heritage: idyllic beaches, towering mountain ranges, wine-producing valleys, vast stretches of olive orchards in the south, and lush forests in the north. Greece's historical sights are just as varied; the country is littered with just as many medieval churches and castles as classical ruins and temples.

Germany is the largest country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany is a federation of 16 states, roughly corresponding to regions with their own distinct and unique cultures. Germany is one of the most influential nations in European culture, and one of the world's main economic powers. Known around the world for its precision engineering and high-tech products, it is equally admired by visitors for its old-world charm and "Gemütlichkeit" (coziness) or hospitality. If you have perceptions of Germany as simply homogeneous, it will surprise you with its many historical regions and much local diversity for its relatively small size. Germany has numerous cities of interest to tourists; these are nine of the most famous travel destinations. Berlin — the reunified and reinvigorated capital of Germany; known for its division during the Cold War, the Berlin Wall. Today a metropolis of diversity with elegant clubs, shops galleries and restaurants Bremen — one of the most important cities in northern Germany, its old town will be of interest to travellers who want a slice of history Cologne — this city was founded by the Romans 2000 years ago with its huge cathedral, Romanesque churches, and archaeological sites Dresden — once called 'Florence on the Elbe', world-famous for its Frauenkirche and its rebuilt historic center that was destroyed during the war Düsseldorf — Germany's capital of fashion that also offers a wide scale of fascinating new architecture. The "Altstadt" and the "Medienhafen" have a vibrant nightlife Frankfurt — Germany's metropolis with a magnificent skyline due to its role as leading financial center, transportation hub and the seat of the European Central Bank (ECB) Hamburg — Germany's second-largest city, famous for its harbour as well as its liberal and tolerant culture. Don't miss the Reeperbahn with its night clubs and casinos Munich — Bavaria's beautiful capital city, the site of the famous Oktoberfest and the gateway to the Alps. Nuremberg — its old town has been reconstructed, including the Gothic Kaiserburg Castle, and you can visit the. You can also visit the Nazi party rally grounds, the Documentation Centre and Courtroom 600 (the venue of the Nuremberg Trials) Other destinations include: Baltic Sea Coast — miles of sandy beaches and resorts with picturesque islands such as Rügen Bavarian Alps — home to the world famous Neuschwanstein castle, and Germany's best skiing and snowboarding resorts. Endless hiking and mountain biking Black Forest — a region with wide mountain peaks, panoramic views, it is a haven for tourists and hikers East Frisian Islands — twelve islands in the Wadden Sea; Borkum is the largest island by both square meters and population Franconian Switzerland — one of the oldest travel destinations in Germany, it was called by Romantic artists who said its landscape was of the aesthetic beauty of Switzerland's Harz — a low mountain range in the Central Uplands of Germany, famous for its historic silver mines and for the scenic town of Quedlinburg Lake Constance — an extremely beautiful corner of Central Europe, it boasts water sports and beautiful towns and villages to be seen by the visitor Rhine Valley — part of the Rhine River is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and the valley is famous for its wines Romantic Road — a theme route over 1000 km in length in southern Germany that passes by many historical castles. Old World Europe alive and well!

France is a country located in Western Europe. Clockwise from the north, France borders Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy to the south-east and Spain to the south-west, across the Pyrenees mountain range (the small country of Andorra lies in between the two countries). The Mediterranean Sea lies to the south of France, with the Principality of Monaco forming a small enclave. To the west, France has a long Atlantic Ocean coastline, while to the north lies the English Channel, across which lies the last of France's neighbours, England (part of the United Kingdom). France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for over twenty years (81.9 million in 2007) and it's geographically one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion. France has numerous cities of interest to travelers, below is a list of nine of the most notable: Paris — the "City of Light", romance and the Eiffel Tower Bordeaux — city of wine, traditional stone mansions and smart terraces Bourges — gardens, canals and a cathedral listed as a UNESCO heritage site Lille — a dynamic northern city known for its handsome center and active cultural life Lyon — France's second city with a history from Roman times to the Resistance Marseille — big harbor and the heart of the Provence Nantes — the "Greenest City" and according to some the best place to live in Europe Strasbourg — famous for its historical center, and home to many European institutions Toulouse — the "Pink City", for its distinctive brick architecture, main city of Occitania. Other destinations include: Camargue — one of Europe's largest river deltas and wetlands Corsica — the birthplace of Napoleon, a unique island with a distinct culture and language Disneyland Paris — the most visited attraction in Europe French Alps — home to the highest mountain in Western Europe, the Mont Blanc French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) — Mediterranean coastline of France with plenty of upper class seaside resorts, yachts and golf courses Loire Valley — the world-famous Loire Valley, best known for its wines and chateaux Luberon — the stereotypical Provence of picturesque villages, joie de vivre and wine Mont Saint Michel — second most-visited sight in France, a monastery and town built on a tiny outcrop of rock in the sand, which is cut off from the mainland at high tide Verdon Gorge — beautiful river canyon in a turquoise-green color, great for kayaking, hiking, rock-climbing or just driving around the limestone cliffs

Estonia is a Baltic state in northeastern Europe. It has land borders with Latvia and Russia. With a coastline on the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, Estonia also has sea borders with Finland and Sweden. Estonia is a Baltic gem offering visitors the chance to see an ex-Soviet occupied country that is now proudly part of the European Union. Traces of the Soviet era are still there to be seen — e.g. Paldiski, a deserted Soviet army base that was once off-limits to Estonians themselves, can easily be visited on a day trip from the capital, Tallinn. Tallinn's medieval old town was built by the Germans in Middle Ages and is in magnificent condition, with the medieval city walls and towers almost completely intact and it rates as one of Europe's best medieval old towns. Glorious beaches pepper the extensive coastline, although the swimming season is short. After all, the Baltics are not renowned for warm weather - something that any visitor to Estonia must be aware of — the summer is short and the winter is severe. Estonia's main cities are: Tallinn — capital city with an enchanting medieval core Haapsalu — seaside resort town Kuressaare — home of the Kuressaare castle Narva — the easternmost point of the mainland European Union Tartu — Estonia's second-largest city and intellectual hub famous for its universities Rakvere — known for its castle ruins and unique character Pärnu — historical resort seaside city with a small harbour, Estonia's summer capital Valga — border-town with Latvia Viljandi — home of the annual Viljandi Folk Music Festival Estonians have a special love for nature, and many will tell you that they would rather sit under a tree in an empty forest or hike in a national park than almost anything else. Estonia's tranquil, laidback and unspoiled Baltic islands provide a splendid getaway to nature. Hiiumaa — second largest island of Estonia Karula National Park — the smallest national park, located in South Estonia Lahemaa National Park — 50km east of Tallinn, with 1000 sq km of bays, peninsulas and forests Matsalu National Park — one of the largest and most important autumn stopping grounds for migratory birds in Europe Saaremaa — including the town of Kuressaare and one of few well-preserved medieval castles in the Baltics Soomaa National Park — a peat bog formed from a glacier melt from around 11,000 years ago Vilsandi National Park — covers 238 sq km, including 163 sq km of sea and 75 sq km of land, plus 160 islands and islets

Denmark is a country in Scandinavia. The main part of it is Jutland, a peninsula north of Germany, but also with a number of islands, including the two major ones, Zealand and Funen, in Østersøen Sea between Jutland and Sweden. Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. However, the country has opted out of European Union's Maastricht Treaty, the European monetary system (EMU), and issues concerning certain internal affairs. Denmark is also the birthplace of one of the world's most popular toys, Lego. There is no other better place in the world where one can buy Lego bricks than at the Legoland theme park in Billund. These days the Danish Vikings have parked their ships in the garage, and put the helmets on the shelves, and along with the other Scandinavian nations, have forged a society that is often seen as a benchmark of civilization; with progressive social policies, a commitment to free speech so strong it put the country at odds with much of the world during the 2006 cartoon crisis, a liberal social-welfare system and, according to The Economist, one the most commercially competitive. Top it off with a rich, well-preserved cultural heritage, and the Danes legendary sense of design and architecture, and you have one intriguing holiday destination. These are the nine regional centers in Denmark: Copenhagen (København) — Denmark's capital and largest city is a vibrant metropolis with world class attractions. Aarhus — the main city of the Jutland peninsular and Denmark's second largest city, with its brilliant historic Open Air Museum of how the city looked in the 1800's Aalborg — home of a historic and picturesque city centre and the rowdy Jomfru Ane Gade, which features some of country's most vibrant night life Esbjerg — Denmark's centre for the fishing and offshore industry, and a short 15 minute ferry ride away from the cosy island of Fanø Herning — this small but ambitious town is an excellent entry point to the spectucular beaches of Jutlands western coast Nykøbing Falster — nestled by a picturesque fjord, you can explore the old abbey, the castle, or set out to the spectacular chalk cliffs of Møn or the islands good beaches Odense — the main city of the island of Funen, and Denmark's third largest city, known as birthplace of H.C. Andersen, but The Funen Village open air museum of 18th Century farm buildings, and the Egeskov Castle, one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Europe are also good attractions Rønne — capital and entry point for the intriguing holiday island of Bornholm, with its cozy villages, mystic round churches and the spectacular castle ruin of Hammershus Sønderborg — discover Danish mentality in a city where Denmark finally conceded its superpower ambitions, and wander through the old castle or the royal palace of Gråsten Other destinations include: Legoland - Revive your childhood in the fantastic miniature cities or indulge with your kids in the thrill rides of home of the LEGO bricks. Grenen - Discover the mythical light that has inspired a phleora of painters in one of Denmark's sunniest spots, have your feet in two different oceans or chill in the picturesque village of Skagen. Læsø - Get away from it all in this remote island in Denmark's "desert belt", ride through the sand dunes on horseback and see unique farmhouses with seaweed roofs. Møn - Quaint and picturesque country side with viking burial mounds and the dramatic 128 meter white chalk cliffs of Møns Klint. The Lake district - between Silkeborg and Skanderborg is one of the country's most beautiful areas.

The Czech Republic or Czechia is a small landlocked country in Central Europe, situated south-east of Germany and bordering Austria to the south, Poland to the north and Slovakia to the south-east. The Czech Republic is not a large country but has a rich and eventful history. From time immemorial Czechs, Germans, Jews and Slovaks, as well as Italian stonemasons and stucco workers, French tradesmen and deserters from Napoleon’s army have all lived and worked here, all influencing one another. For centuries they jointly cultivated their land, creating works that still command our respect and admiration today. It is thanks to their inventiveness and skill that this small country is graced with hundreds of ancient castles, monasteries and stately mansions, and even entire towns that give the impression of being comprehensive artifacts. The Czech Republic contains a vast of amount of architectural treasure and has beautiful forests and mountains to match.

Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. After Sicily and Sardinia, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Although the island is geographically in Asia it is politically a European country and is a member of the European Union. Geopolitically, the island is subdivided into four main segments. The Republic of Cyprus occupies the southern two-thirds of the island (59.74%). The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus occupies the northern third (34.85%), and the United Nations-controlled Green Line provides a buffer zone that separates the two and covers 2.67% of the island. Lastly, two bases under British sovereignty are located on the island: Akrotiri and Dhekelia, covering the remaining 2.74%. The following are site on Cyprus: the many archaeological and antiquities sites scattered around the island, dating from the New Stone Age through to the Roman Empire the beautiful coastline of the island - still quite unspoilt in many places - is well worth exploring Nicosia, the capital as it has a wealth of history, preserved Venetian walls surrounding the city, some wonderful bars and restaurants within the old walls of the city and of course the 'green line' - the dividing line with the Turkish part of Cyprus, which cuts through the centre of Nicosia, now the only divided capital the Troodos mountains, rising as high as 1952 metres, offering some beautiful trail walks and also quaint little villages such as Kakopetria, Platres and Phini. In winter there is the chance to ski there and the ski resort is being developed. Hamam Omerye in Nicosia, Cyprus is a 14th Century building restored to operate once again as a hammam for all to enjoy, relax and rejuvinate - it is indeed a place to rest. Dating back to French rule and located in the heart of Nicosia's old town is Hamam Omerye - a true working example of Cyprus' rich culture and diversity, stone struggle, yet sense of freedom and flexibility. The site's history dates back to the 14th century, when it stood as an Augustinian church of St. Mary. Stone-built, with small domes, it is chronologically placed at around the time of Frankish and Venetian rule, approximately the same time that the city acquired its Venetian Walls. In 1571, Mustapha Pasha converted the church into a mosque, believing that this particular spot is where the prophet Omer rested during his visit to Lefkosia. Most of the original building was destroyed by Ottoman artillery, although the door of the main entrance still belongs to the 14th century Lusignan building, whilst remains of a later Renaissance phase can be seen at the north-eastern side of the monument. In 2003, the [EU] funded a bi-communal UNDP/UNOPS project, "Partnership for the Future", in collaboration with Nicosia Municipality and Nicosia Master Plan, to restore the Hamam Omerye Bath, revitalising its spirit and sustaining its historical essence. The hamam is still in use today and after its recent restoration project, it has become a favourite place for relaxation in Lefkosia. In 2006 it received the Europa Nostra prize for the Conservation of Architectural Heritage.

Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia is a country in Central Europe and Southeastern Europe at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain, the Balkans, and the Adriatic Sea. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. Croatia borders Slovenia to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast. The Croats arrived in the early 7th century in what today is Croatia. They organized the state into two dukedoms. The first king, King Tomislav was crowned in AD 925 and Croatia was elevated into the status of a kingdom. The Kingdom of Croatia retained its sovereignty for almost two centuries, reaching its peak during the rule of Kings Peter Krešimir IV and Demetrius Zvonimir. Croatia entered a union with Hungary in 1102. In 1527, the Croatian Parliament elected Ferdinand from the House of Habsburg to the Croatian throne. In 1918, Croatia was included in the short-lived State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs that declared independence from Austria–Hungary and co-founded the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. A Croatian state briefly existed during World War II, but it was a Nazi/Fascist puppet-state. After World War II, Croatia became a founding member of the Second Yugoslavia. On 25 June 1991, Croatia declared independence and became a sovereign state. Since the fall of communism and the end of the Croatian War of Independence, Croatia has achieved high human development and income equality, and ranks highly amongst Central European nations in terms of education, health, quality of life and economic dynamism. Croatia is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, NATO, the World Trade Organization and CEFTA. Croatia is an acceding state of the European Union, with entry expected in July 2013, and is a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean. Croatia is classified as an emerging and developing economy by the International Monetary Fund and a high income economy by the World Bank.

Bulgaria is a country in the Balkans on the western side of the Black Sea. It is surrounded by Romania to the north, Serbia to the northwest, the Republic of Macedonia to the southwest, Greece to the south, and Turkey to the southeast. Being located close to the Turkish Straits means the key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia pass through Bulgaria. Bulgaria is one of the few exotic nations of Europe, due to the fact that it boasts state-of-the-art beaches, lovely churches, winter sport opportunities, to name a few. Although it is not regularly visited compared to other European nations, it is a beautiful place, with a wide range of activities for a traveller to do. Major cities include: Sofia (София) — the capital and a major point of interest in Bulgaria, featuring nice parks, a nice town center, many bars, pubs, and disco clubs, over 250 historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great deal of cultural places of interest. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Burgas (Бургас) — though known for its commercial port (Port of Burgas) and oil refinery, picturesque waterfront and nearby downtown and shopping area makes this city popular with tourists. Gabrovo (Габрово) — A popular tourist destination close to the center of the country, providing quick access to other cities, such as Veliko Tarnovo and Kazanlak, the Balkan Mountains and the ski resorts of Uzana. Plovdiv (Пловдив) — nation's second largest city, which boasts a lovely shopping promenade and many parks, an ancient city with a preserved amphitheater, and many "revival" style Bulgaria homes. Be sure also to take a side trip to Bachkovo Monastery which is about an hour away. Rousse (Русе) — known as the "Small Vienna", the city centre offers an impressive architectural ensemble that cannot be found any place else within Bulgaria. The city boasts various places of interest among which the Sexiginta Prista Roman Castle, The Theatre, The House of Caliopa, The Pantheon and so on. Sunny Beach (Слънчев бряг) — the country's largest beach resort with more than 800 hotels in a strip along the Black Sea Coast Varna (Варна) — the nation's third largest city, primarily a beach resort with a notorious nightlife, especially during the summer season. The Varna Archaeological Museum is one of the most famous archaeological museums in the country. Veliko Tarnovo (Велико Търново) — picturesque university city near the Yantra river that was the capital of medieval Bulgarian Empire. Other destinations include: Bulgarian mountains Central Balkan National Park Nature Park Bulgarka — at the geographic center of the country, provides many outdoor activities opportunities for people who enjoy nature and hiking Pirin — national park in the southwest, a great hiking destination in summer with beautiful landscapes, lakes, and the second highest summit of the country Rila National Park

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a European country located on the Balkan peninsula. It was formerly part of Yugoslavia but gained independence in 1992. It borders Croatia to the north, west and southwest, Serbia to the east and Montenegro to the southeast. Mostly mountainous, it has access to a tiny portion of the Adriatic Sea coastline in the south. Until recently, the idea of a Bosnian nationality mainly applied to the nation's Muslims, also referred to as Bosniaks. Bosnia's Croatians and Serbs looked to Serbia and Croatia for guidance and as the mother country and both had aspiratons for political union with either Serbia or Croatia once the Yugoslav state began to fall apart in the early 1990s. This of course spelled disaster for the state of Bosnia and as a result a bloody civil war was fought between all three groups. In the end the Croatian-Muslim alliance fought the Serbian forces on the ground whilst NATO attacked the Bosnian Serbs from the air creating a military defeat for the Serbs. A peace treaty followed with a heavy handled role of the U.S. Clinton Administration helping seal the deal. The result was that Bosnia would be a federation comprising a Croat-Muslim unit alongside a Serb autonomous entity. Things have rapidly improved since then but the two regions of Bosnia still have a long way to go towards complete political and social union. As of now, it could be said Bosnia functions as one country with two or even three different parts. However, the central government lies in Sarajevo and there is one common currency, the Mark (KM). The main cities are: Sarajevo — the national capital; a cosmopolitan European city with a unique Eastern twist as can be seen in its vast diversity of architectural styles Banja Luka — the second largest city, serving as the capital of Republika Srpska, with some historical sights and a rich nightlife Bihać — city on Croatian border, surrounded by an impressive nature Fojnica — near the Fransiscan monastery, the heart of Bosnian catholicism Međugorje — inland town between mountains with a mild Mediterranean climate, but perhaps best known due to claims of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to six locals Mostar — nice old town on Neretva River, symbolized by its medieval bridge Neum — the only coastal town, with sandy beaches backed by steep hills Tuzla — third largest city with much industry, though has a lovely old town and monuments to the brutal war too Teslic — а health spa resort with the biggest tourist capacity in the country Zenica — city with an Ottoman old quarter Trebinje — a picturesque town in Herzegovina with impressive surroundings Other destinations include: Kozara — national park in the northwest with dense forests and hilly meadows, a hiking and hunting destination Igman Ski resort Jahorina Ski Resort Bjelasnica Ski Resort

Belgium is a low-lying country on the North Sea coast in the Benelux. With the majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of the Belgian capital of Brussels, and as a member of the long-standing international Benelux community, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. Its immediate neighbors are France to the southwest, Luxembourg to the southeast, Germany to the east and the Netherlands to the north. Belgium has a very high rate of urbanization and has an astonishing number of cities for such a small territory Brussels — Belgium's capital and the unofficial capital of the EU. Nice historic centre and several museums of interest. One of the most multicultural cities in Europe. Antwerp — Belgium's second largest city, with a giant cathedral, medieval streets and artistic heritage, and a great place for fashion. Bruges — one of Europe's wealthiest cities in the 14th century, it is touristy yet still very authentic, medieval and quiet at night, with small guest houses and family businesses greatly outnumbering chain hotels. Dinant — small city in a stunning natural setting, a popular spot for adventure sports such as canoeing and rock-climbing, best visited in winter. Ghent — once one of Europe's largest cities, now a perfect mixture of Antwerp and Bruges: a cosy city with canals, yet with rich history and lively student population. Leuven — a small city dominated by one of Europe's oldest universities. Beautiful historic centre and a lively nightlife. Liège — second largest city of Wallonia, along a wide river, industrial cityscape with hiking and resorts in the nearby hills, it has a very strong, independent character and an exciting night-life. Mechelen — a small medieval city with a nice historic district around the cathedral. Ypres — once one of the largest cities in the Low Countries, now best known for its destruction during the First World War, marked by memorials and cemeteries (Flanders Fields Country, see below). Other destinations include: Ardennes — the most sparsely populated region in Benelux, this is a hilly countryside region covered with forests Binche — for three days in February, the town is transported back to the 16th century for one of the most fantastic carnival festivals Flanders Fields Country Fondry des Chiens Pajottenland — an area of green fields and small villages, some of which have been portrayed by artists such as Pieter Bruegel Waterloo Battlefield — the Waterloo Battlefield where Napoleon lost the final battle that changed Europe's face forever

Belarus is in Eastern Europe. It has borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Originally part of Kievan Rus, Belarus was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until the Polish Partitions in the 18th century. After over a hundred years of Russian rule followed by seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. However, under authoritarian rule, it has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December, 1999, envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious steps towards implementation have seen limited success. The economy is completely dependent on Russia, and the Belarusian government has taken vitriolic, anti-Western stance. Poverty is widespread, and the country has not seen much structural reform in the past few years. Religious, political and journalistic activity is tightly controlled. Even though the country was the most developed republic (excluding the three Baltic states) in the former USSR, the country remains as one of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in Europe. Belarus's main cities are: Minsk - the capital Brest - regional capital on the Western border with Poland with impressive architectural sights. Gomel - also spelled Homel Grodno - also often spelled Hrodna Nesvizh Sharkovshchina Vitebsk Mogilev Other destinations include: Bobruisk Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park - on the border with Poland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Mir Castle Complex — another UNESCO World Heritage site

Austria is a land-locked alpine German speaking country in Central Europe bordering Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany and Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east and Slovenia and Italy to the south. Austria, along with neighboring Switzerland, is the winter sports capital of Europe. However, it is just as popular for summer tourists who visit its historic cities and villages and hike in the magnificent scenery of the Alps. Austria's main cities are: Vienna (Wien) Bregenz Eisenstadt Graz Innsbruck Klagenfurt Linz Salzburg Villach Other destinations include: Lake Constance — a big lake situated in Vorarlberg and shared with Switzerland and Germany Kaprun — part of the Europa Sport Region Pinswang — one of the most ancient settlements of the North Tyrolean Ausserfern, on the border with Bavaria and a short walk or drive to the famous King Ludwig's castles Salzkammergut St. Anton — a popular ski resort in Austria on the Vorarlberg-Tyrolean border Thermenland Wörthersee — one of Austria's warmest lakes Zell am See — one of the most important alpine tourist towns in Austria Austria has a temperate continental climate. Summers last from early June to mid-September and can be hot in some years and rainy in others. Day-time temperatures in July and August are around 25° C (77° F), but can often reach 35° C (95° F). Winters are cold in the lowlands and very harsh in the Alpine region with temperatures often dropping below -10° C (14° F). Winters last from December to March (longer at higher altitudes). In the Alpine region large temperature fluctuations occur all year round and nights are chilly even in high summer. The northern Alps are generally a lot wetter than the rest of the country. The South East (Styria and Carinthia) is dry and sunny. The area around Vienna often experiences strong easterly winds.

Andorra is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of 468 km2 (181 sq mi) and an estimated population of 83,888 in 2009. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, being at an elevation of 1023 metres. The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken. The Principality was formed in 1278. The role of monarch is exercised jointly by the two co-princes, the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell, Catalan Countries. Andorra is a prosperous country mainly because of its tourism industry, which services an estimated 10.2 million visitors annually, and also because of its status as a tax haven. It is not a member of the European Union, but the euro is the de facto currency. The people of Andorra have the 4th highest human life expectancy in the world - 82 years at birth.

Albania is a small country in the Balkans. It shares borders with Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. Albania's main cities are: Tirana (Tiranë) — the capital. Trees and mountains surround the city. Mt. Dajt is a popular tourist site for a great view of the city. Berat — Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the UNESCO world heritage list. Berat has long been known as the "city of 1000 windows" because of its unique Ottoman/Albanian architecture. It has a well preserved castle with residents still living inside its protective walls. Gjirokastër — another UNESCO city, located in the south is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city which served as a jail for many generations. A Military Museum and Art Gallery are now located inside. Gjirokastër is also the birthplace of former communist Leader, Enver Hoxha, as well as Albania's most internationally famous author, Ismail Kadare, their homes now serve as museums. Korce (Korça) — Located in southeast Albania, several miles from the Greek border, this city is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape. Don't miss the Korca Brewery (famous throughout Albania) which sponsors a week long Beer Festival every August! Kruje (Krujë) — ancient city of the national hero Skanderbeg. It consists of beautiful mountains; Skanderbeg's castle is now a museum. Kruje also contains an old style bazaar with shops selling traditional goods amid cobblestone streets. Pogradec — Overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has been experiencing a revival recently. Sarandë — a city in southern Albania known for its unforgettable beaches and colorful spring blooms. Shkodra — the biggest town in Northern Albania.Shkodra is considered the capital of ALbanian culture.In Shkodra is located "Migjeni" theatre,the first in Albania and also was held the first cyclic race and also the first football match and the first photoghraph was developed (by Marubi).The Rozafa Castle is a major tourist attraction here,but also "The Great Cathedral","The mosque Ebu Beker" ect. Vlorë — Lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here. Other destinations include: Albanian Alps — This mountainous complex on the north of the country forms the border between Albania and Montenegro. Rich on rainfalls, sheep, bare rocks and scenic views it is one of the places in Albania you should see. One of the places where you can be less than 10 km away from the nearest village and still have a day long trip there. Albanian Riviera — Featuring crystal clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and picturesque villages, this is the Mediterranean coastline as it once was. Butrint — Largest archaeological site from Greek era in Albania. It lies on the coast in the southernmost tip of the country, near the Greek border. Minibuses are available from Saranda. Bylis — second largest archaeological site from Roman era in Albania Dhërmi — one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, perfect for camping. Lura National Park — a 1,280 hectare national park with high mountains, big meadows, and glacial lakes. Tomorr — Mountain ridge in the southern part of Albania, not far from Berat. This part of the country is formed by parallel mountain ridges (up to around 2000-2500 m) separated by valleys. Although the ridges are not very long, they offer few days of hiking with enormous scenic beauty and fantastic panoramic views. Tomorri is one of the most known ridges with a Bektash monastery and chapel on the very top.

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west. At the time of the 2001 UK Census, its population was 1,685,000, constituting about 30% of the island's total population and about 3% of the population of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland consists of six of the nine counties of the Irish province of Ulster. It was created as a distinct division of the United Kingdom on 3 May 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, though its constitutional roots lie in the 1800 Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland. For over 50 years it had its own devolved government and parliament. These institutions were suspended in 1972 and abolished in 1973. Repeated attempts to restore self-government finally resulted in the establishment in 1998 of the present-day Northern Ireland Executive and Northern Ireland Assembly. The Assembly operates on consociational democracy principles requiring cross-community support. Northern Ireland was for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict—the Troubles—which was caused by divisions between nationalists, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, and unionists, who are predominantly Protestant, which has been the most prevalent religion. Unionists want Northern Ireland to remain as a part of the United Kingdom, while nationalists wish for it to be politically united with the rest of Ireland, independent of British rule. Since the signing of the "Good Friday Agreement" in 1998, most of the paramilitary groups involved in the Troubles have ceased their armed campaigns. Owing to its unique history, the issue of the symbolism, name and description of Northern Ireland is complex, as is the issue of citizenship and identity. In general, unionists consider themselves British and nationalists see themselves as Irish, though these identities are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Additionally, many people from both sides of the community consider themselves as Northern Irish.

The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and other rocks and reefs. Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey are often referred to as 'the Channel Islands' but they are not a constitutional or political unit. The three Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man each has a separate relationship to the British Crown. None is not part of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is constitutionally responsible for the defence of Jersey. Jersey is not a part of the European Union but has a special relationship with it, being treated as part of the European Community for the purposes of free trade in goods.

The Isle of Man, otherwise known simply as Mann, is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is represented by a Lieutenant Governor. The island is not part of the United Kingdom, but its foreign relations and defence are the responsibility of the UK Government. Although it does not usually interfere in the island's domestic matters, its "good government" is ultimately the responsibility of the Crown (i.e., in practice, the Government of the United Kingdom). The island has been inhabited since before 6500 BC. It began to be influenced by Gaelic culture in the AD 5th century and the Manx language, a branch of the Gaelic languages, gradually emerged. In the 9th century, the Norse began to settle there. A Norse-Gaelic culture emerged and the island came under Norse control. In 1266, the island became part of Scotland. After a period of alternating rule by the kings of Scotland and England, the island came under the feudal overlordship of the English Crown in 1399. The lordship revested into the British Crown in 1764 but the island never became part of the United Kingdom and retained its status as an internally self-governing jurisdiction.

The Faroe or Faeroe Islands are 18 islands in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway. The Islands are a self-governing island territory of Denmark, although they politically aim for higher independence. The Islands have a population of nearly 50,000 (48.511 November 2010), and a language and culture of their own. When visiting the Faroes you are never more than 5 km (3 miles) away from the ocean. The countryside is dominated by steep mountains and there are about 70,000 sheep and some 2 million pairs of seabirds, including the largest colony of storm petrels in the world. The Faroe Islands are undeniably beautiful: green, rugged and wind-swept. Most visitors to the islands come between early July and late August. One of the main reasons that people visit the Faroe Islands are because of the incredible nature and scenery. The Faroe Islands turn extraordinarily green during the summertime. The fresh air, the deep blue ocean, the vertical sea cliffs and the green mountains with their picturesque valleys, is something which would amaze anyone who enjoys being surrounded by nature. There are bus rides, horse trekking, mountain hikes and boat trips which allow you to enjoy the magnificent wild green landscape. Sometimes the summer fog creates a mystical landscape, in which you may vividly imagine the great history and mystical stories belonging to the islands. Some have said that when the landscape is surrounded by this sort of weather it reminds them of the landscape in J.R.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The tranquility of the islands are great if you want to escape from big city madness. The Faroese love to take things easy and are not at all worried about arriving on time. But if you ever find yourself in the mood for a night out in town, you will find that Tórshavn caters for your every need with its great shops, bars, cafés and restaurants.

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital city. The co-official languages in the Balearic Islands are Catalan and Spanish. The current Statute of Autonomy declares the Balearic Islands as one nationality of Spain. The main islands of the autonomous are Majorca (Mallorca), Menorca (Menorca), Ibiza (Eivissa) and Formentera, all of which are popular tourist destinations. Among the minor islands is Cabrera, which is the location of the Parc Nacional de l'Arxipèlag de Cabrera. The islands can be further grouped, with Majorca, Menorca, and Cabrera as the Gymnesian Islands (Illes Gimnèsies), and Ibiza and Formentera as the Pine Islands (Illes Pitiüses). There are many minor islands or islets close to the biggest islands, like Es Conills, Es Vedrà, Sa Conillera, Sa Dragonera, S'Espalmador, S'Espardell, Ses Bledes, Santa Eulària, Plana, Foradada, Tagomago, Na Redona, Colom, L'Aire, etc. The Balearic Front is a sea density regime north of the Balearic Islands on the shelf slope of the balearic Islands, which is responsible for some of the surface flow characteristics of the Balearic Sea.