Around the World in 100 Countries

England is a popular place that most people will visit in their lifetime if they go to Europe. The culture is unique with much history. A good site to see is the Stonehenge. The Stonehenge is a prehistoric creation estimated to have been built around 3100 BC. Another great place is called the Chatsworth House. It is known as the one of the best houses in England- large, antiquated and elegant. Besides the outside appearances, the inside houses Europe's finest art collections; it is a great place to visit if you are an aesthetic. Many movies such Pride and Prejudice or The Duchess were filmed at this location as well. Last but not least, there are many tours to visit and places to eat, and don't forget to visit the Tower Bridge in London!

The Republic of Estonia is part of the Baltic region and close to Finland; they also speak Finnish. Estonia is a land of freedom, entirely democratic. This state is full of history, dating back to the Viking and has many national parks. Vilsandi National Park is one of the most popular, consisting of 160 islands. This park is great for nature and animal lovers where bird watching and seal observing is common.  Vilsandi is an international bird sanctuary with over 250 recorded bird species  and was created in 1914. Estonia is also famous for its diverse landscapes, for such a small country. Estonia's forests cover half of the country's land and are home to a large range of wildlife including bears, wolves, squirrels, boar, deer and elk.  The hills near Otepää are popular for sight seeing and hiking. In the winter, people often enjoy skiing there as well. 

The Republic of Finland is a Nordic country located in northern Europe. Finland is known for its connection between civilization and nature. Its most populated city is Helsinski, here you can see the history of Finland through its many buildings and elegant cafes. In addition there are many museums and restaurants that have not changed much since the 1930's; they show visitors the culture and history background of the country. Oalu city has the fastest growing population in Northern Finland with very warm summers and cold winters because of arctic winds blown in from the sea. However, in the summer, the sea sides are a pleasant place for leisure with its many beaches that are family friendly. There are also spas, pools, sailing, boating and wind surfing.

As one of the most visited countries in the world, France is known for its long hot summer days and and beautiful laid back scenery and lifestyle. Here are the ten most beautiful visited places in France: Loire Valley- architecturally historical with beautiful gardens to see; Mont Saint Michael- second to the Eiffel Tower as the second most loved landmark; Côte d’Azur - famed for its famous coastal cities.  ; Giverny- a riverside rural idyll located on the borders of Normandy and famous for its birth of impressionism; Versailles- a wealthy suburb of Paris most famous for its chateau the great Palace of Versaille that one homed kings of France; Annecy-The Alps- These French alps are known for its prestigious ski resorts and beautiful towns and homes and Annecy is one of its most attractive homes; Champagne-Ardenne- the exceptionally scenic countryside with miles of trails to walk on, it is colorful and also famous for its underground wine cellars and cathedrals; Strasbourg- this heritage city is has distinct characteristics and is located on the border of Germany and France, it is most famous for its river front half-timbered houses; Provence- this place has diverse geography and irresistible countryside landscapes filled with lavender; The Gorges du Verdon- As Europe's "Grand Canyon", this deep cliff gorge is a visitor hot spot with its turquoise colored waters and abundance of wildlife- it is also great for climbing, hiking, and kayaking. 

Germany is a very filled country, including scenery, museums, history, family vacation spots, sight seeing etc. It is home to about 4000 museums. A specialty is one called Cologne; it has a chocolate museum! The architecture is amazing to see as well. There are palaces, parks and gardens, and the castles are magnificent. One of the most popular is the Moselken,Eltz Castle. There are also many park reserves as well such as Szczecin Bay. Germany has also been known as the destination for gay and lesbians because of its tolerance and advocacy for their rights. 

There are many places to visit in this country. One place that must be visited is The Upper Rock nature reserve. It is a place that can be reached by car, although only by windy narrow roads. Gibraltar Museum is also popular, it is situated in the center of the town, it tells the history of the prehistoric beginnings of the country. Lastly, one must visit the Botanical Gardens. These gardens are very old, originating in 1816, and gives visitors a rest from the rush of the city.

Greece is a well known country, known for hits battles, its kings, its stories, and epic tragedies. Everyone knows of the Athenian/Spartan history, but not the details. One should go visit the city of Athens and see the museums and history there. There you can find monuments built centuries ago, and learn many things about the culture of Greece through its architectural carvings and drawings. Rhodes should also be visited because of its of its rich historical past. It is the cultural and financial center of this country. 

Budapest has many interesting places that you must visit when you travel to Hungary. Some of the places of tourist attraction are Applied Arts Museum, Andrassy Ut, Basilica of St Stephen, Bela Bartok Memorial House, Budapest Eye, and Buda Hills etc. Another city is Debrecen- The city is basically a metropolis and you will find the biggest Protestant church of the country here. There are many museums that you can pay a visit to and this generally takes up most of the time, when you travel to Debrecen, one of the famous places in Hungary. Kiskunsag National Park should also be visited. It is basically a collection of islands which is spread over an area of 760 sq km. The park has ponds that are alkaline, there are museums and horse shows are conducted at regular intervals for the tourists. To get a closer view of how the horses tread at their highest pace, you can undertake the Bugac tour. 

 Ionian Islands, Greece is a famous group of islands and is a part of Greece. They are often referred to as the Seven Islands. The principal seven islands of the group of Islands includes Kerkyra or Corfu, Paxi or Paxos, Lefkada or Lefas, Ithaki or Ithaca, Kefallonia, Zakynthos or Zante and Kyrthi or Cerigo. These islands also serve as a popular honeymoon destination as well as a romantic getaway. Also, they are good for beach activities, water sport, hiking and a number of beach and water sports. They can also have candlelight dinners at the beach. The popular tourist destinations in Ionian Islands, Greece also include the island of Kerkyra or Corfu that is well known for its beautiful sceneries. 

Ireland has interesting tourist sites, although some may seem boring, they have centuries old stories behind them. In Northern Ireland, the oldest daily newspaper in the world was published and is still being published. It began in 1737 and the earliest copies are found in the Linen Hall Library of Belfast. On the East coast, the Hill of Tara, one of the most ancient stretches of land in Europe. These include passage tombs and burial mounds that date back to 4000 years ago. The place is wonderful for an escape to a somber place.

Rome is, of course the most visited city in Italy. It is known as the "Eternal City" because of its long life span. The city dates back to the capital of a great Roman Empire and is full of history. Rome has an incredible number of world-class attractions, including the Colosseum, the Forums of the Roman Empire, gorgeous piazzas, stunning fountains, and fabulous museums. Also in Rome, don't forget to visit other historical sites like the Capitoline Hill,  the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Pantheon, and Castel Sant'Angelo. Venice is indeed a place that must be visited as well. It is known for its romantic and historical vibe. Canals, beautiful buildings, world famous landmarks - Venice is an experience unique in the world of travel. Whether taking a gondola down the Grand Canal or gazing at this romantic city's unique setting and architecture, Venice is a vision that you will never forget. Florence should be seen as well. From the point of view of art and architecture, Florence rivals Rome. Culture is the strong suite of Florence; perhaps that is why its museums are so popular.  Be sure to see the Duomo (cathedral) and its impressive Piazza and the adjacent Piazza San Giovanni, containing the famous Baptistery, the Museo of the Duomo and the famous Bell Tower by Giotto. For art lovers,  be sure to visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria Dell'Accademia, which contains Michelangelo's world-famous sculpture of David.

Latvia has diverse tourist attractions. Many of which are family friendly such as the Riga Zoo and the Open-air sea Museum. A lot of the sites are nature park reserves as well. The top ones include, Gutmana Cave, Zvarte Cliff, Slitere Nature Reserve, Tervete Park, Pokaini Forest- beautiful and warm temperatures and Kemeri National Park in Jurmala. Architecture wise, there are also quite a few buildings to visit. These include Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) Architecture in Alberta Street, Elizabetes Street and Strelnieku Street, Riga, Lido, Turaida Castle, South Pier in Ventspils, Rundale Palace, the Karosta Prison, Aglonas Basilica- with its beautiful castle like designs, Cesis castle and the Palace Jaunmokas.

Liechtenstein is not a significant tourist destination, but is often included as an extension of a trip to Austria or Switzerland. The country is extremely small and lacks significant destinations.  The scenery, however, is spectacular. Liechtenstein's main attraction - the Castle at Vaduz - is not open to tourists, but its prominence on the hillside makes it the focus of tours of the town of Vaduz. Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein and the most popular tourist destination in the country.   The Royal Palace looks majestic on the ridge above the town but it not open to the public, as it is the home of the Royal Family.  The town has a few good quality restaurants and several nice shops. If Vaduz sounds attractive to you, you may want to visit Balzers or Triesen, two towns that retain the distinct Liechtenstein ambiance but are further up in the Alps.

There’s a vast range of things to see on this terrific island so let’s take a whistle-stop tour to give you an idea of how diverse the choice is.  Starting in the south with Marsaxlokk, is a quaint and historic fishing village. Up the coast there’s bustling Valletta - capital city - with immense history and charm. Next-door is trendy Sliema with marina, designer shops and fine restaurants. Round the bay is Paceville, home to Malta’s liveliest bars and clubs. West is lofty Mdina, medieval fortress town. North from here are the sandy beaches of Mellieha Bay and the stunning cyan waters of the Blue Lagoon.

The most popular and worth seeing destinations in Moldova: Chisinau is the capital of the Republic of Moldova, a very modern green and cozy town in the center of our country. The excursion includes visiting the historical center of Chisinau, administrative and cultural edifices on the main boulevard Stefan cel Mare, the main square of the General National Meeting, two central parks, churches and museums of the city, Central Market, market of souvenirs, W.W.II memorial. Orheiul Vechi is an ancient settlement situated in the left bank of the Raut river near the villages of Trebujeni and Butuceni in Orhei district (about 50 km northeast of Chisinau). In the Middle Ages, two medieval towns were set up here. Ivancea village is located on the road to Orheiul Vechi settlement, 5 km from the main road. It is located in the heart of Codry forest reservation surrounded by 7 lakes. The village is populated by Ukrainians that were settled here from the Middle Ages. A dialect of Ukrainian is still spoken by the inhabitants of this village. In XIXth century Ivancea was the estate of an armenian noble Karp Balioz who built a house and planted a big park here. It is transformed into the museum of Moldovan handicrafts. Soroca town is situated 160 km north of Chisinau on the western bank of the Dniestr river. In the medieval times it had a particular importance for the defense system of Moldova against the invasions of tartars, polyaks, Cossacks, ottomans and Slavs from the East. And these are only the beginning.

Monaco is a great place to visit, and a nice stop near France. They speak mostly French but English is also widely understood. From the old town, a veritable open air museum, to the Place du Casino, unique in the world, discover the history of the Grimaldis.  A modern town, Monaco has extended its territory by reclaiming land from the sea; do not miss the Fontvieille district rising up from the water, where technology sits side by side with art. You must also visit the teeming town around the typical market of la Condamine and discover the Moneghetti area. Monaco bus company offers you the possibility to move serenely in the Principality. The network covers all the tourist attractions, museums, the exotic garden, business centres, or even the Casino or the Louis II Stadium.

Widely known for its windmills, cheese and tulips, the little monarchy of the Netherlands has really a lot to offer and attract tourists thanks to its relaxed life-style and comfortable, involving atmosphere. Amsterdam is the center of the Netherlands and has a large variety of foods, art and buildings. There are also beautiful lakes, and places to relax. Valkenburg, a small town in the province of Limburg, is located in Netherlands. The city also known as ‘Valkenburg aan de Geul’ is one of the most important locations in the south of Netherlands. Lastly, Rotterdam is situated on the Maas River, and from its origins as a small fishing village, grew to become the largest port in the world, a position it held until 2004. It is still the largest port in Europe, serving numerous international import and export companies.

Eastern Norway's Velmunden/Fjorda is its canoeing paradise – between the Randsfjord and Sperillen Lakes. Here, the youngest members of the family can play at being Indians in an almost totally unspoiled landscape of islands and lakes, with countless canoeing routes to explore. A good area for canoeing, with a varied landscape 400 metres above sea level. People who are interested in cultural history can visit old Finnish settlements, a memorial to the immigration from the east that resulted from the famine in Norway's neighbouring country of Finland 400 years ago. In the South, the Southern Norway archipelago from the Rvvingen Lighthouse to the Jomfruland Island is a lovely archipelagos. It consists of thousands of small and large islands and skerries, with literally tens of thousands of areas of smooth rocky shore that are so popular with sun worshippers in summer. In central Norway, the Nidaros Cathedral was one of the world's most important pilgrimage destinations in the Middle Ages. The interior of the cathedral was stripped of many of its art treasures in connection with the Reformation, but it is by far the biggest cathedral in Europe to be located so far from Rome, and the building itself therefore occupies a special place among Europe's cathedrals. These are only a few of the many destinations in Norway.

Krakow is the perfect introduction for the first time visitor to Poland. The city was left unscarred by the Second World War and today stands as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Take a seat at one of the many pavement cafes in Krakow's Main Square. Walk along the Royal Route to Wawel castle and cathedral. Visit one of the oldest universities in Europe at Jagiellonian Universtiry or go to the Czartoryski Museum to see Leonardo Da Vinci's "Lady with Ermine". Explore the old Jewish quarter at Kazimierz. Observe the rather bizarre giant burial mounds dotted around the city as well. Wieliczka Salt Mines are not far from Krakow and a trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps is an unforgettable experience.

Portugal can be divided into seven main regions. A visit to the North of Portugal is a trip back to Portugal’s beginnings. A land of Celtic settlements, medieval castles, mountain fortifications and imposing monuments, every hill and edifice has its own tale to tell. Green valleys and slopes produce the finest wine, every village produces a gastronomic marvel and the combination of old charm and new trends in cosmopolitan Porto will leave you entranced. The central region of striking contrasts, where mainland Portugal’s highest mountain peak lies alongside pretty coastal seaside towns. Home to one of the oldest  university cities in Europe, to fabulous wine-tasting routes and the solemn sanctuary of Fátima, your travels will take you past glacier valleys, pine forests, beaches and the birthplace of Portugal’s legendary queijo da serra cheese. Lisbon’s unique light accentuates the dignity of its monuments, the scenic river Tagus glistens in the sunlight and the city’s unassuming cobbled streets lead you into resplendent squares. Old and new co-exist harmoniously in a city that has a rhythm all of its own where you will want to soak up its charm very slowly. Glamorous Cascais lies further along the coast and just beyond that, the magical hills of the town that has always enchanted the more romantically-inclined... dreamy Sintra. The Alentejo Region- Rolling sunflower fields dotted with cork oaks and olive trees, a coastline full of beautiful beaches and a very sedate pace await you in the Alentejo. Most of its towns tell of Roman and Moorish invasion, its hilltop villages overlook tranquil rivers flowing towards the coast and the mouth-watering cuisine testifies to the inventiveness of its people. Its first-class heady wine embodies the region itself. The Algarve has fabulous climate, a wide choice of beaches, animated seaside resorts, sophisticated villas and golf courses galore have all come together to make the Algarve Portugal’s best-known region. Also a land of striking natural beauty, its protected wetlands are home to migrating birds and its mountainous interior is a delightful mix of blossoming almond trees, quaint historical towns and a peaceful farming life. The Madeira Island, the ‘floating garden’ in the Atlantic owes its attraction as much to its beautiful landscape and sub-tropical vegetation as to the wonderful climate and warm, inviting waters. Madeira Island’s tempting sea acts as a powerful magnet on the hearts of its people and visitors, beckoning all to its shores and offering endless opportunities for enjoyment. And lastly, The Azores Islands are a region of untouched wild landscape, all-pervading tranquility and a way of life that is equally devoted to land and sea, a trip to the Azores is an authentic discovery voyage. A land of volcanic craters, breathtaking lakes and dairy farming, its sea attracts dolphins, whales and ancient sea mariners from all corners of the world.

Romania has beautiful scenery and culture, here are some of the places that you must visit in this country. The Danube Delta is the second largest delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta, and is the best preserved on the continent. The greater part of the Danube Delta lies in Romania, while its northern part, on the left bank of the Chilia arm, is situated in Ukraine. It hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes. Sighisoara is also a great site, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful fortresses in Europe. For culture lovers, Timisoara is a city dating back to 1212, influenced by many cultures over the years: the Romans, the Tatars, the Turkish. Lastly, the country is full of religious attractions and the Voronet Monastery is one of the most famous off all Romanian monasteries, because of its unique blue color.

Capital of Russia, home of the mighty Kremlin and the legendary Red Square and the city that inspired dozens of spy novels. Moscow began as a small provincial outpost but has become the cutting edge epicentre of Russia, with a fascinating history and a hedonistic night scene. In Red Square, feast your eyes upon the intensely coloured onion domed St Basil's Cathedral – the subject of countless postcards and an enduring symbol of Russia. Located in the north west of Russia, just 30km from Estonia, the ancient and historical Pskov with its fortified riverside Kremlin and Trinity Cathedral is a firm favorite amongst tourists. Pskov dates back as far as 903, making it as old as the country itself. Pskov has retained much of its medieval outer-town walls and is crammed full of tiny, picturesque churches and fabulous examples of Byzantine architecture. St Petersburg - the jewel in Russia’s Imperial Crown, is an enchanting city with a rich history and elegant buildings, formed around a series of canals. It was from St Petersburg that the Autocratic Tsar’s ruled Russia for two centuries until the revolution in 1917. Suzdal is a small, picturesque town in the Vladimir region, which is officially protected against unsightly 20th Century development, and loaded to the hilt with old buildings such as the Kremlin and Cathedral. Dating back to 1024, ancient Suzdal forms part of the Golden Ring, with stunning medieval architecture and an astounding number of churches and monasteries, making it a major religious centre in Russia. There are many, many more cities and towns to visit, however Russia is too big for just one trip!

Cagliari, the capital of the province and the region, is located at the heart of the beautiful Bay of the Angels ; like Rome, it was built on seven hills, which identify the historic neighborhoods of the city. The city of Cagliari boasts a long coastline of eight miles, the Poetto, the popular beach of Cagliari, which becomes a center for meetings and nightlife in the hot summer evenings, thanks to the many restaurants and bars in the waterfront. If you choose a hotel in Cagliari for your vacation, the beach Poetto will offer sea and sun during the day, music and entertainment in the evening. Oristano, in Sardinian "Aristanis", between the sea and ponds that abound in the area, became a province only in 1974, but the story of its territory is very old. This privince also wild and pristine beaches. The Sinai Peninsula is known not only for the spectacular sea that surrounds it, but also for the presence of the city of Tharros,  very important archaeological site of Phoenician origin. To learn more about the history of Sardinia, we recommend visiting one of the many Nuraghe of the isle; there are more than 7000, an average of one every 3 square km. In the province of Oristano we suggest you visit the Nuraghe Losa, one of the most important and best preserved of the island.

Edinburghe is Scotland's leading city for tourism.  It features the dramatic Edinburgh Castle on a mount overlooking the city and the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse  that is the official residence of the British Monarch in Edinburgh.  The city's "old" and "new" towns offer great sightseeing venues, incredible museums, as well as a lively performing arts scene. The Highlands and the Isle of Skye attract many travelers to Scotland as well. The Highlands, which are described as separated into the Western and Eastern Highlands, are one of the most scenic and evocative of Scotland's regions.  In the west you can tour the beautiful Glencoe area, which combines important stories from the history of the Scots with awe inspiring scenery.  Further west you will encounter the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, the remote, craggy, beautiful and interesting Isle of Skye, as well as a journey to Mallaig from Fort William on the train featured in several of the Harry Potter movies.