Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the North Holland province in the west of the country. The city which on the latest count had a population of 800 thousand people, comprises the northern part of the Randstad. The 6th-largest metropolitan area in Europe, with a population of around 6.7 million people. Amsterdam is by far the most popular travel destination in the Netherlands, it’s charms, old fashioned streets and canals along with museums, cultural sights and many tourist attractions attracts tens of millions each year to this city. The legalization of window prostitution in the Red Light District and marijuana draws 4,2 million people a year alone to the city of Amsterdam.
Athens is one of the globe’s oldest known cities, its recorded history spans 3000 years B.C. The Greek capital is the largest city within the country and has a population of 780 thousand people according to the latest measurement. Athens is the center of economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece and is rapidly growing to become the leading business center in the European Union.
While today’s Athens is a modern city, its a city to go, see and experience. It has a lot of unique experiences to offer for those who are ready, willing and able to understand and appreciate its unalterable beauty and history.
In the streets of Athens the signs of history are still visible. The city is full of medieval and 19th-century monuments as well museums of its history and national parks of surprising natural beauty. An appealing village feel city raises walking in the streets around Plaka with old cafes, restaurants, tavernas and markets. In a city with such culture and history even nightlife found its place, with many bars and nightclubs open during the weekends.
Travelers to Athens need a valid passport and visa. American citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. For transportation within the city you can use the trolleybus, the tram or the underground metro system (known as; Attiko Metro). The best time to visit Athens is in the summer months which are June till August.
Tirana (Tiranë of Tirana) is the largest city of Albania. Even with its size and the fact that it has been a city since 1614, Tirana only became the capital city in 1920. It has also undergone a major transformation through the painting of its dreary streets and buildings with brilliant colors, such as purple and orange. Tirana went through its makeover despite the fact that it is not exactly wealthy. It even went on to be called Europe’s version of New York. According to the latest measurement, the city of Tirana has a population of 620 thousand.
What makes Tirana fascinating is its rich history. You can find not only signs of communism but also Italian and Ottoman traces. Though its history is definitely noticeable during a walk around the city, you do not have to look far for ultra-modern settings such as boutiques, bars, and clubs. These are the places where you can find the hip, newly-rich Tirana crowd. You can also enjoy the mix of old and modern in the city’s theaters.
You can reach Tirana through a final stop at the Nënë Tereza International Airport. This airport is a mere 25 km away from Tirana. Within the city, you can travel by bus or by train. You have to be extra patient with the various transportation modes, however. This is because the city’s mad traffic will ultimately decide the schedule of your travel. This means that if you do not want to miss a flight, you have to leave your accommodation early. Tirana is Mediterranean in climate. The temperature can dip as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit or rise as high as 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are an American planning to visit Albania, you need to bring along your passport. However, you do not really to need to have a visa if you are visiting for a short vacation. You also need to present a return ticket to be allowed entry into Tirana.
Usually, when you hear of the word “Gibraltar”, you think of the rock of Gibraltar: a symbol of strength and power. The British colony of Gibraltar, however, is more than a monolithic rock but is a territory full of surprising curiosities. What else should you expect from a territory that blends several cultures into one mix? British in ownership but the feel is a gloriously Spanish, North African and Genoese, that is Gibraltar. The capital is also named Gibraltar. According to the latest measurement, Gibraltar has a population of 28 thousand 77% of this population can speak both English and Spanish.
A cultural melting pot, Gibraltar is a very interesting place to explore. Because of this eclectic mix, Gibraltar can offer fabulous array of international dishes. Even the music has variants that can only be owed to Gibraltar’s rich history. Songs are either original or covers of popular Western songs. Some of the bands that play here are from neighboring Spain. Still, the English flag reigns supreme in Gibraltar.
For easy access to Gibraltar, you should take a flight from London and other major English cities. You can choose either GB Airways or Monarch Airlines. If you are not in a rush, you can take a boat from Tarifa, Spain instead. When in Gibraltar, you can actually move around purely on foot. Another great way of traveling, while sight-seeing, is by traveling on a cable car. Either walking or riding a cable car should be done during fine weather. With Gibraltar’s warm summers and mild winters, you will not have much of a problem. If ever you prefer a ride, you can also ride a bus.
A few chosen countries, including the United States and European Union countries, have been given the privilege of its citizens being allowed to Gibraltar even without a visa. Passports, however, are required from any visitor. If you are American, you can stay in Gibraltar without a visa for up to three months.
Paris is the capital city of France and the country’s largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region which is also known as the “Paris Region”. The city of Paris has various names claimed by travelers to the city such as; city of dreams, the city of lights and pure romance.
The streets of Paris are alive with a estimated population of 2.2 million people and 30 million foreign visitors per year. They get to visit the spacious parks (such as; Le Bois de Boulogne and Le Bois de Vincennes), shopping facilities, the many cafes and restaurants and see the street artists, monuments (such as; The Eiffel Tower the most recognizable monument in the city) and museums.
The French capital is the fashion capital of Europe. This is the place for young artists and fashion designers to be discovered, many have been and many more will follow. Modern and classic arts are equal in the art world’s most honorable museums such as The Louvre, Centre Georges Pompidou, and the the Musée de l’Orangerie.
Travelers to Paris need a valid passport and visa. American citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Paris is a good destination any day of the year, the city offers besides regular tourist attractions many concerts, theater shows and ballets throughout the year. The summer time and its peak season are in the months May till August.
Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy. The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian peninsula, on the Tiber river in the Rome province. On the latest known count Rome had a population of 3 million people. The city of Rome and its charms attract over 26 million tourists each year.
This is not a surprise due the fact that Rome is one of the most photogenic cities in the world. Whether you spend your time taking pictures of the beautiful monuments and museums such as; The Trevi Fountain, St Peter’s Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum… or sightseeing, shopping and lazing in cafes & restaurants watching the world go by. You will be guaranteed a good time in this fabulous and romantic city.
Whether you are catholic or not, a not to miss attraction is The Vatican City (Citta del Vaticano), located in the world’s smallest state; Vatican State. The city has thousands of years of history and is filled with beautiful gardens, fountains, fish pools which date back to medieval times. Together with its 11 Vatican museums and the restored Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel its a good location to schedule a few hours out of your roman holiday.
Travelers to Rome need a valid passport and visa. American citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Transportation in Rome is widely available through buses, trams, metro and railways. They are all part of the same transport system called BIT, tickets must be purchased at any newsstand, tobacco shop, vending machines or bus/train stations before boarding. The summer time and its peak season are in the months June till September.
A medium-sized European city, Podgorica (Подгорица) is Montenegro’s capital city; it is also the country’s largest. Its 555 square miles is located at 140 feet above sea level. Podgorica means “under the little mountain” in Montenegrin. It is, in reality, overlooked by the Gorica, a hill whose name means “little mountain”. Podgorica, however, had been named several times over the centuries. During its founding in the 11th century, it was called Birziminium. The Medieval times knew it as Ribnica but soon after, in 1326, it was finally known as Podgorica. However, that was not even the end of the changing of names. Podgorica became Titograd from 1946 to 1992. Today, it is back to its fourteenth century name. According to the latest measurement, Podgorica has a population of 140 thousand.
Though it is Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica fails to charm tourists into staying. The city becomes a place of transit; people are using it as a stop-over to move on to the next leg of the trip – in a hurry. One reason cited is the price of accommodation. The price of accommodation in Podgorica can be as high as six times the price of accommodation in the coast. You may want to give the city a chance, however. When you do, you will appreciate pro-Western attitude; most young people can even speak English. You may also want to interact with the infectiously outgoing locals.
You can reach Podgorica by booking flights that will eventually connect to a final stop at the Podgorica Airport, which is Montenegro’s central international airport. Podgorica has regular flights to major European cities, such as London, Frankfurt and Paris. To travel around the city, you may choose to ride a bus or a taxi. You can also drive yourself around in a rented car. The Podgorica climate is slightly typical from the typical Mediterranean weather. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are cold. The Dinaric Alps located at its north provide the cooler air. Still, Podgorica can heat up to as much as 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
With the appropriate travel documents, you can pass through Montenegro or stay for up to 90 days. If you are from the United States, that means that you only present a valid passport if you are only visiting for pleasure; a visa to Montenegro is not required of you. If you are staying at a friend’s or a relative’s and not in a hotel, however, you must immediately report to the police upon arrival.
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and largest city. Still, the city whose name is almost the same as the word meaning “beloved”, ljubljena, is a mini-wonder. Though small according to some metropolitan standards, Ljubljana delivers with a complete package of culture, modern nightlife and focus on education and the arts. Ljubljana may just as well mean “beloved” but historians are still in disagreement over its real name origin. Laburus, a long-gone Slavic city, is one of the primary suspects. Other words such as Slavic “Luba” and Latin “Aluviana” are also being considered as possible origins. Whatever the real source of its name, the city is home to 270 thousand according to the latest measurement.
If you want a relaxing holiday, Ljubljana may be the answer. It is not as big or as grand as Budapest or Prague, popular European destinations, but it offers a little bit of everything in a smaller package. Walk the city streets and you will find something that will absolutely charm you: from Old Town’s quaint coffee shops to Metelkova’s toast to alternative lifestyles. Think of the city as a small gift you will unwrap only to discover a gemstone.
You can reach Ljubljana through a final stop at Ljubljana Airport. The airport can be reached from many European cities. When you arrive on the city itself, you can travel to any other part of Slovenia because not only is it the capital but is also the center of the country’s road network. In the city, you can get around by bus or train. You can also take a taxi ride if you want to get to your destination faster. If, however, you are there for the sight-seeing, a rented bicycle may do the trick. Expect mild summers and cold winters in Ljubljana.
All nationalities are required to bring a valid passport to enter Slovenia, except European Union citizens with valid national ID cards. If you are from the United States, you need to present the passport but do not need to show your return ticket or to get a visa if you are staying for up to three months only.
Riga is not quite what you expect from the Baltic. The Latvian capital is the biggest city in the region. It also corresponds to its metropolitan vibe with an energetic night life. Despite the big city vibe, Riga remains in touch with its townie heritage. You will find evidences of Old World Baltic charm in its large parks and fairy tale look. Located right at the Baltic Sea Coast, the city of Riga is home to approximately 700 thousand people.
Riga is still an attractive city. The streets still offer fairy-tale like architecture. However, the world financial crisis has taken a grip on the otherwise vibrant Baltic city. Because of this, the establishments are near empty. You may find the ghost-like emptiness a sign of bad service but it is not necessarily about that. Riga used to have a thriving restaurant industry but the crisis has now made it quite the opposite. Still, you will be pleased to know that there are high-class restaurants that are serving food at very cheap prices.
You can enter the city through Riga Airport. It has connections with most major European airlines so you may fly to the city via a European stop-over. When inside the city, you can go around by bus or by tram. If you want to get around more comfortably, you may have to pay more by hailing a taxi. You can already start traveling by taxi from the airport to the city center. Another fun way of getting around the city is by bicycle. Take care that you do not this in subzero temperature, however. You may able to do so during its mild summers, with temperatures averaging in the mid-twenties Celsius.
If you are from the United States, you will be pleased to know that you do not need a visa to enter Latvia. You do not even need to present a return ticket. You do need to bring along your passport which should be at least valid for three months.
Just about 60 miles south of Helsinki, Estonia’s capital of Tallinn is like an ultra-hip medieval city trying to grow along with other modern European cities. The name Tallinn is thought by many to have originated from the word Taani-linn, which means Danish castle or town. This sounds like a logical assumption because the Danes did build a castle at Lindanisse. It is when the city became independent in 1918 that it adopted the name Tallinn, replacing the German name Reval.
While in the midst of one of Tallinn’s streets, you cannot help but remind yourself that you are really there; you are not in a photo-shopped alternative world. An example of such a charming oddity is finding modern nightclubs and fancy restaurants within medieval-style stone walls. The city’s colors are also vibrant, both with the old and the new. Though fashion-forward, Tallinn does not turn its back on its old crafts: weaving, pottery, and glass-blowing. The city is in itself a museum mixed with modern improvisations. You may not expect impressive museums here, however; instead, look for modern art galleries.
When going to Tallinn, you may have to book a series of interconnecting flights ending in Tallinn Airport. If you are from a nearby city, you can take a bus or a boat. Within the city itself, you can get around with little problem. Public transport consists of several trams, buses, and trolleybuses. Of course, you can always take a taxi for convenience. If you pick the public transport, you do have to be watchful against pickpockets. Tallinn has continental weather. It is best to visit the city during the summer months of July and August, where the weather is pleasant; the temperature reaches 77 degrees Fahrenheit maximum. August is a little cooler than July. If you want to avoid harsh weather, do not visit from November to March – unless you have a thing for blankets of snow and chilly temperature as low as 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are from the United States, you need only a valid passport to enter Estonia. You will not be asked for a visa or a return ticket if you are staying in the country for 90 days or less. Still, it will be good to have all your travel documents safely with you.
