Europe Travelogues

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Vacation Tips

Browse our options below to help plan your vacation activities. Don't miss these sights and activities. Preview our photos before you go.

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Colosseum
Heidelberg
Innsbruck
Salzburg
Ulm Cathedral
Vatican City
Vienna

Highlights

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Food
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Insider Tips

Activities

Castles
Festivals
Hiking
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Countries

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
France
Germany
Italy
Malta
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

Travelogues

Austria
INNSBRUCK A fantastic circle of mountains surround this Alpine destination. These picturesque slopes offer up year-round activities from hiking and rafting in the summer, to skiing in the winter.
KITZBÜHEL The cozy Tyrolean town of Kitzbühel is home to the annual Hahnenkamm ski race. This race is widely considered the most dangerous, and most prestigious, ski race on the World Cup Circuit.
SALZBURG Salzburg is a fantastic mountain destination on the border between Germany and Austria. Come see the musical town that gave birth to both Mozart and The Sound of Music.
ARCHBISHOP'S PALACE (Residenz) The splendid Salzburg Residenz was home to the city's ruling Archbishops and today has been turned into an art museum.	DOM is Salzburg's main Cathedral, located downtown in the Domplatz. This ornately decorated church has the capacity to hold 10,000 people.
FRANCISCAN CHURCH (Franziskanerkirche) was Salzburg's main Church before the construction of the Dom. These two cathedrals are located just a few steps away from each other in Salzburg's Altstadt (Old City).	HOHENSALZBURG FORTRESS This extensive fortress in Salzburg sits atop a hill overlooking the city. A tour of the complex will take you through ornate palatial chambers and up to the top of the fortress for a magnificent view of the city.
VIENNA The capital city of Vienna is filled with history. From the grand palaces to its baroque churches on its wide boulevards, this city echoes its past as the home of the Hapsburgs and at the helm of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
STEPHANSDOM (St. Stephens Cathedral) dominates the Old Town. It towers above shoppers and sightseeings in Stephansplatz.	HOFBURG The Imperial Palace of the Hapsburg Family is a grand complex of buildings, monuments, statues, and gardens.
KARLSKIRCHE St. Charles Church lies just south of the Ring. This majestic church with is beautiful reflecting pool is the largest Baroque church north of the Alps.	KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM Vienna's Museum of Art History exhibits the great works of art collected by the Hapsburg Emperors and Empresses.
URBAN TRANSPORTATION Tired of walking? Find out the various modes of urban transportation Vienna has to offer its citizens and visitors alike.	VIENNA PANORAMAS Check out our panorama shots from around Vienna! We have Karlskirche, Stephansdom (inside and out) and the Kunsthistorisches Musuem.
Belgium
bruges Visit this picturesque Belgian city and delight in the perfectly preserved medieval maze of canals, open plazas, and row houses.
BRUGES PHOTOS Take a look at our photos of this beautiful canal city.	BRUGES HOTELS Wondering where to stay? Take a look at our Bruges hotel recommendations!
View our Bruges Panorama Pages: BRUGES PANORAMAS BRUGES NIGHT PANORAMAS BRUGES BELFORT PANORAMA	BRUGES MAP Use our map of Dachau to guide you to your destination.
Czech Republic
PILSEN is well known among beer connoisseurs as the home of the Pilsner Urquell brand Czech beer, as well as the birthplace of the pilsner type of beer.
Prague Visit Europe's "Golden City" and experience the magical quality of Prague's medieval buildings and Gothic spires. This well preserved European capital is a feast for the eyes.
CHARLES BRIDGE (Karlův Most) The Charles Bridge is a landmark in and of itself. Prague's most famous bridge was built in 1357, but its statues were not added until 1657.	NEW TOWN (Nové Město) Prague's New Town encircles its Old Town on the eastern banks of the river. You will find museums, markets, and a bustling nightlife in this part of the city.
OLD TOWN (Staré Město) The Old Town holds many of Prague's most notable sights, including the Gothic Spires of the Tyn Church (Před Týnem), the Astronomical Clock (Orloj), and the famed Old Town Square.	PRAGUE CASTLE (Pražský Hrad) Located on the West Bank of the River Vltava, Prague Castle forms one of the distinguishing landmarks on the city's skyline.
CLASSICAL MUSIC AND OPERA Classical Music is everywhere in Prague. Tickets are cheap and the performances are superb.
Germany
Selecting a restaurant Read our travel tips so that you can make the best decisions on where to eat!	Dining OUT Now that you've selected a restaurant, find out what to expect inside!
BEER Dictionary Confounded by the numerous beer types available in Germany? Read out guide to navigate your path to your favorite type of beer!	Shopping Planning on doing any shopping in Germany? Check out our guide on German customs and sizes.
Black Forest Venture into the heart of the forest where the trees grow so close together they block out the light from above. Enjoy this fantasyland of chocolate cakes and cuckoo clocks.
TRIBERG This frequent tourist destination has it all: waterfalls, cuckoo clocks, woodworks, and Black Forest cake.	GUTACH RIVER WASSERFALL In the city of Triberg, the Gutach River falls in a series of cascades to form Germany's tallest waterfalls.
MARIA IN DER TANNE This small baroque church lies in Triberg and is worth a visit.	BLACK FOREST CAKE Venture into the Black Forest and have a slice of this delicious specialty!
Dachau Visit the first Nazi Concentration Camp, located just outside of Munich. Over 206,000 prisoners would pass through this slave labor camp from 1933 to 1945.
DACHAU PANORAMA	DACHAU MAP Use our map of Dachau to guide you to your destination.
Eagle's Nest Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest lies atop a mountain in the southeastern corner of Germany. Visit this magnificent monument and marvel at the breathtaking views of the German and Austrian Alps.
EAGLE'S NEST MAP Use our map of Hitler's Eagle's Nest to guide you to your destination.
Heidelberg Heidelberg is the very image of romantic Germany. The city's 17th Century red sandstone castle ruin and the old bridge are two of the most majestic sights in all of Germany.
Hohenschwangau Venture into the Bavarian Alps and visit the castle Bavaria's Mad King Ludwig grew up in.
HohenZOLLERN This idyllic castle looks like it was taken straight out of a fairy tale: with its tall towers and seven successive gates.
HOHENZOLLERN MAP Take a look at our map of Hohenzollern Castle and the surrounding areas.
LUDWIGSBURG CASTLE This magnificent castle and its extensive grounds are often referred to as the Versailles of Southern Germany. The baroque palaces are one of the highlights of the German state of Baden-Württemburg.
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival, held every fall, features pumpkin foods and pumpkin artwork on the castle grounds.
Munich Munich (München) is well known for its Oktoberfest festivities and for its delicious yeast-wheat beers (Hefeweizen). But the capital of Bavaria has much to offer tourists not just in October, but all year round.
FRAUENKIRCHE Munich's twin-towered cathedral is one of its most famous city landmarks, and lies in the heart of the city.	HOFBRÄUHAUS The largest beer hall in Munich is a must-see attraction. Enjoy the atmosphere, the live band, and the beer songs!
NEUES RATHAUS Munich's sprawling New Town Hall is a majestic sight in the center of the city. It is also home to Munich's world famous Glockenspiel clock.	RESIDENZ This palace features an astonishing array of Bavarian treasure.
SCHLOSS NYMPHENBURG The Wittelsbach family's summer villa lies in Western Munich.	OLYMPIAPARK Visit this park in Northern Munich which was built for the 1972 Olympics.
URBAN TRANSPORTATION Travel around Munich using the city's excellent public transportation system.	OTHER HIGHLIGHTS This city contains too much to visit on just one trip! If you've been here before, try visiting these other worthwhile, but lesser known sights.
Neuschwanstein Venture into the Bavarian Alps and visit the fairy tale landmark upon which the Walt Disney based his Disney Land Castle: Mad King Ludwig's Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Neuschwanstein in the Spring	Neuschwanstein in the Winter
Neuschwanstein in the Fall
Ulm The city of Ulm dates as far back as 854 AD. It's cathedral lays claim to having the world's tallest steeple, and after you have climbed the 768 steps to the top you won't argue this fact.
Holy See (Vatican)
VATICAN CITY Wander through the tiny papal enclave in the heart of Rome which today comprises the world's smallest country.
SISTINE CHAPEL (Cappella Sistina) is a part of the Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani), which make up the world's largest museum complex.	ST. PETER'S BASILICA (Basicilica di San Pietro) is the magnificent heart of the Catholic Church, which lies on the burial site of St. Peter.
Check out our Vatican City panorama pictures!
Italy
ROME Visit Italy's bustling capital for a true walk through the history books. Rome is a delight for all travelers. Whether you're looking for history, architecture, art, or just a great meal, you'll find it in Rome.
CASTEL SANT' ANGELO is a small castle on the banks of the Tevere River located just outside of the Vatican.	COLOSSEUM This 2,000 year old stadium is the worlds largest surviving structure from Ancient Rome.
PANTHEON The Pantheon is a marvel of Ancient Roman architecture. The building was designed to be able to hold a perfect sphere.	PIAZZA NAVONA The Piazza Navona is an exceptionally long open plaza which owes its unusual shape to the Roman racetrack which once stood here.
ROMAN FORUM (Foro Romano E Palatino) The Forum was the marketplace of Ancient Rome and also served as the business district and civic center.	SPANISH STEPS (Piazza Di Spagne E Salinata Della Trinità Dei Monti) These famous steps lie at the heart of Rome's shopping area.
TREVI FOUNTAIN (Fontana Di Trevi) The intricate sculptures and clear water make this fountain the perfect place to while the day away.	VATICAN CITY Here you will find magnificent sights such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which make up the world's largest museum complex.
WHERE TO STAY Find out which parts of the city to stay near...and which parts to avoid!	URBAN TRANSPORTATION Tired of walking? Like any other city, Rome offers several modes of transportation.
ROME MAP Take a look at our map of Rome, which includes both the yellow and blue metro routes and points out the locations of the different highlights around the city!
Venice Take a stroll along Venice's world famous canals and view the magnificent works of art in the city's many art museums and historic cathedrals.
Piazza San Marco The grandest of Venice's grand squares. This Piazza offers much to visitors, with the Basilica San Marco, views from the clock tower, and the surrounding markets.	Canal Grande The Grand Canal is Venice's version of Main Street. The 4 km long canal forms an 'S' curve through the middle of the city, slicing right along Venice's grandest tourist sights.
RIALTO BRIDGE Venice only has three bridges which cross its Grand Canal. Of these three bridges, the Bridge at Rialto is the most famous.	Santa Maria Della Salute Chiesa Santa Maria della Salute is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Venice.
Gallerie Dell'Accademia Venice's greatest art museum boasts masterpieces from the great Venetian masters.	VENICE MAP Take a look at our map of Venice, which includes common Vaporetto routes and points out the locations of the different highlights around the city!
WHERE TO STAY Find out which parts of the city to stay near...and which parts to avoid!	WATER TRANSPORTATION Tired of walking? Like any other city, Venice offers several modes of transportation. The catch is that they all travel on water.
VENETIAN SOUVENIRS Curious about what to buy in Venice?	LAGOON ISLANDS Visit a part of Venice most tourists never see!
Malta
ValLetta Valetta is the capital of Malta and home to much of its long history.
paceville Paceville-St. Julian's is the main tourist hub outside of Valetta. Here you will find the biggest hotels and the rowdiest crowds at night.
Spain
bARCELONA Barcelona is the ideal destination for tourists looking for a bit of sun, history, seafood, architecture, and an excellent nightlife. Read our vacation and travel tips on what to see and do in about this exuberant, vibrant city!
BOQUERÍA MARKET (Mercat De La Boquería) This Barcelona market located just off of La Rambla is a fantastic place to visit and to eat.	CATHEDRAL (Catedral) Barcelona's magnificent Gothic Cathedral is the highlight of the city's Gothic Quarter and Old City.
TEMPLE EXPIATORI DE LA SAGRADA FAMILÍA is Barcelona's most outstanding landmark, and was the brainchild of the famous Catalonian architect and artist Antoni Gaudí.	LA RAMBLA is the most famous street in Barcelona, and one of the most famous boulevards in the world. At all times of night and day, you will find pedestrians, tourists, and vendors on this busy street.
MONTSERRAT is a wonderful day trip from Barcelona into the mountains inland from the city.	OLD CITY (Ciutat Vella) is a jumble of narrow pedestrian streets and squares which are the remnants of the old Roman garrison.
OLD PORT (Port Vell) is a renovated recreation area that features bridges, walkways, restaurants, and Europe's largest aquarium.	OLYMPIC RING (Anella Olímpica) is the 1992 Summer Olympic Complex, which overlooks the city.
OLYMPIC VILLAGE (Villa Olímpica) district is where you will find Barcelona's beaches and the largest concentration of restaurants, pubs, and clubs in the city.
Switzerland
Appenzell This area in Eastern Switzerland is a hiking wonderland. The extensive network or trails and alpine huts make this village and its amazing scenery a must-see for any traveler.
HIKING TRAILS Appenzell is a hiker's paradise. Check out our recommended routes.	EBENALP CABLE CAR STATION The Wasserauen-Ebenalp cable car station is the gateway to Appenzellerland.
Other
CASTLES If you want to visit a castle, you won't have to look too far. Castles, whether they be new or old, large or small, dot the landscape of every country in Europe. Here are our favorites.
FESTIVALS If there's one thing European's know how to do, it's throwing a big party. Europeans just love to celebrate life in general, and will take any reason to throw a good party. Here are our favorite European Festivals.