About Rest of Europe
A&K Rest of Europe
More Europe
Austria
Situated at the very heart of Europe, Austria is a country of great natural beauty, from the Alps to the Danube.Renowned as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music, the breathtaking beauty of Salzburg’s cobble-stoned old town and famous sights such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress are unforgettable and quintessentially European. Popular visitor attractions include the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Nonnberg Convent and Schloss Hellbrunn.
Vienna is the centre of the old Habsburg Empire, steeped in imperial heritage, music and art and famous for the great romance of its "cafe society", as prevalent today as it has been through the centuries. Time your visit to take in one of the performances of the great Spanish Riding School and an opera at the majestic Vienna Opera House, home to the Philharmonic Orchestra. Nearby, the Schonbrunn Palace, summer residence of the imperial family demonstrates the opulence of 18th century Europe.
Berlin
The vibrant capital of Germany continues to revel in the rejuvenation it has enjoyed since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie stand as a visual reminder of the city’s turbulent past, blended with modern architecture such as Daniel Libeskind’s spectacular Jewish Museum and the glass dome of the Reichstag designed by Sir Norman Foster. The "Island of Museums", contains a unique complex of world-class institutions including the Pergamon Museum with its renowned collection of antiquities, and the Old National Gallery which contains an outstanding collection of 18th and 19th century paintings and sculptures.
Of interest nearby is the city of Potsdam. Schloss Sanssouci is an enchanting Rococo palace with extravagant interiors and an extensive park, while Cecilienhof Palace served as the venue for the Potsdam Conference in 1945 where the main Allied powers established the political balance of Europe.
Munich
A city easily explored on foot, Munich is an architectural delight.This beautiful 800-year-old city is the capital of Bavaria and the home of the world famous Oktoberfest. The Hofbrauhaus is Munich's famous beer hall and garden surrounded by chestnut trees. The Church of the Asam Brothers is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. The Neo-Gothic town hall features a 80 metre (260 ft) clock tower where mechanical figures of knights fight a daily tournament. Beyond Munich, the Black Forest is one of Germany's most picturesque regions. Visit the university town of Freiburg and some of Germany's most famous medieval villages.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is often referred to as Holland, the name taken from the two counties where most tourist attractions are located. Amsterdam with its canals, bridges and gabled houses is the capital of the Netherlands and home to many famous museums including Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank’s House. In nearby Haarlem find the museum dedicated to Frans Hals, the famous Dutch artist. The Hague (Den Haag) is home of the European Court of Justice. Delft is known for its historic pottery whilst Leiden is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands and home to the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) and the Stedelijk Museum. And who could forget the famous tulip fields in spring and the Keukenhof Gardens.
Switzerland
Switzerland is culturally unique in that French, German and Italian influences have created its geopolitical landscape and the many flavours of its wonderful gastronomy. The Swiss lakes and mountainous regions are the stuff of legends and tales of human endeavour scaling the peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Matterhorn. Beauty is everywhere and can be marvelled at from onboard the world famous Glacier Express train that cuts through the mountains, the Jungfraujoch cog wheel train from Interlaken, the paddle-steamer of Lake Lucern and the cable car ride on Mount Pilates.
The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is at the heart of the continent with a charged atmosphere of optimism for the future, making it one of the most popular and loved destinations in Europe.The Czech Republic is made up of two provinces, Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemia is home to numerous castles built by a succession of rulers and noble families that have taken up residence there. The capital city, Prague, is best known for its turbulent history but is today a highlight of any visit to Eastern Europe. Moravia is a beautiful province located to the east of Bohemia covered with rolling hills and colourful villages.
Hungary
Hungary, central to so much of what has transpired over the centuries in Europe, is steeped in history. Budapest, Hungary's capital, is long established as one of Europe's premier spa towns and centre of the arts and is a vibrant forward-looking city. It has become one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe. The area known as the "Danube Bend" is fascinating as one of the cultural centres of the Hungarian Renaissance. The Hungarian landscape is on a majestic scale featuring the largest lake in Europe, Lake Balaton, the Hortobágy National Park and Puszta (the Great Hungarian Plain), a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Poland
The history of Poland is a record of the wonder of human resilience. Few people in the world have survived so many threats to their mere existence. Poland has suffered invasions, terror and genocide. For over 100 years Poland lost its national identity and disappeared from the map of Europe, engulfed by the invading powers of Russia and Germany. Today it occupies barely a fraction of its original boundaries, yet it is still one of modern Europe's largest countries, with a wealth of history, culture and natural beauty.
The exact age of the capital city, Warsaw, is not known since none of its founding documents or its municipal charter has survived. The city grew alongside the duke's residence, with its location defined by the limits of the Old Town. One of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Eastern Europe, Krakow has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Greece
A country steeped in history, Ancient Greece was at the heart of the civilised world producing exceptional creativity in thinking, writing and theatre.
A third of the population lives in the capital, Athens, a city dating back some 3,500 years. The city is dominated by the famous Acropolis with the Parthenon, which has stood for 2,000 years along with the nearby Agora which formed the political heart of ancient Athens. Artifacts from excavations of Ancient Greece form the priceless collections of the National Archeological Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Benáki Museum. Nearby, the Temple of Poseidon towers over steep cliffs which tumble into the Aegean Sea at Cape Sounion, whilst at Delphi Ancient Greeks consulted the oracle at the Temple of Apollo.
On the Peloponnese, Corinth is home to the Odeion and the Temples of Apollo and Octavia. Epidaurus is renowned for its magnificent 4th century BC theatre, whilst the Sanctuary of Asklepios was an extensive therapeutic and religious centre. Nafplio was shaped by the many struggles between the Turks and Venetians. and houses Venetian castles alongside ancient mosques. Ancient Olympia is home to the original Olympic Games. The site includes the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra – an ancient training centre for athletes, and also the Archeological Museum with a room dedicated to the Olympic Games.
The Greek islands, with names that conjure up images of crystal blue sea, fine beaches and white and blue villages, make the rest of the world seem grey and cold. Here, and in the rural backwaters of the mainland, life runs in the slow lane, much as it has done for centuries. Mykonos is a beautiful, cosmopolitan island which has embraced tourism. The whitewashed cube-shaped houses of Mykonos town border narrow winding streets built to withstand wind and pirate raids. Most visitors stay on Mykonos to visit the tiny, uninhabited island of Delos, now a vast open air museum. Truly the picture postcard destination, Santorini was given its distinctive shape when a volcanic island erupted in 1450 BC. The island includes the Minoan town of Akrotiri, the ancient site of Thira, the monastery of Profitis Ilias, and the village of Pyrgos. The old town of Rhodes is dominated by the Palace of the Grand Masters which houses priceless mosaics from the island of Kos. Encased by ancient walls, the town contains the Mosque of Süleyman, a synagogue and Jewish quarter, and the Street of the Knights. Crete is an island of rugged mountains, crystal blue water, relaxed in nature and idyllic in setting. The island includes Heraklion Archeological Museum, the Palace of Knossos and the charming town of Réthymno.
France
France is a country with a colourful and engaging past, evidence of which can be seen throughout the many regions. From the Palace of Versailles near to Paris which was home to the French kings, to the historic chateaux most notably in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Many world-famous art galleries, museums and monuments can be found in Paris such as the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. Famed also for its excellent cuisine and wine, this country is rich in fresh food markets, vineyards (where wine tasting is often available) and superb restaurants. The coastal areas differ greatly. To the north is Normandy with romantic cliffs giving way to wild and sandy beaches, and as it was home to the landing beaches for soldiers during the operation overlord it has now become a site of pilgrimage for thousands of war veterans and their families. In contrast, the Côte d’Azur, boasts glamorous beaches and bustling, cosmopolitan harbours.
