The southernmost country of the United Kingdom, set in the Atlantic Sea just off the coast of western Europe, England typically conjures up images of quaint village pubs, red double-decker buses, and of course, copious amounts of tea. While England offers all of these, the country's real attraction is in its diverse variety of cultural and historical attractions. Marvel at the mystery of Stonehenge, walk the battlements of a medieval fortress, explore grand manors and royal castles, or visit London’s magnificent reconstruction of Shakespeare’s historical Globe Theatre. While preserving this rich heritage, modern English cities bustle with some of the finest shops, galleries, and museums in the world. Lively nightclubs, theatres, and world-famous music venues provide an endless array of captivating diversions.
Londen, de grootste stad van het Verenigd Koninkrijk, ligt aan de beroemde rivier de Theems in het zuiden van het centrum van Engeland en heeft een iconische skyline die duizenden jaren teruggaat tot het Romeinse rijk. De hoofdstad is de thuisbasis van Michelin-sterrenrestaurants van wereldklasse en vier werelderfgoedlocaties: de Tower of London, Kew Gardens, het Palace of Westminster en de Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Andere fenomenale attracties zijn onder meer Madame Tussauds; de London Eye; de West End Theaters; en eersteklas winkelen op verschillende beroemde markten en iconische warenhuizen. Bezoekers kunnen ook genieten van een riviercruise langs de Theems langs de Houses of Parliament en Westminster, of een bezoek brengen aan het British Museum, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern en het Science Museum. Mis een bezoek aan de officiële residentie van de koningin in Buckingham Palace niet om de wereldberoemde wisseling van de wacht te zien.
France has long been the world’s favourite tourist destination, and it doesn’t take a much imagination to understand why. It has some of the highest mountains, the most dynamic cities, the best beaches and a treasure trove of the some of the world’s most famous artistic, cultural and historical artifacts. The wide open spaces and impressive mountain ranges of the French countryside allow for a vast scope of outdoor activities to thrill even the most adventurous traveller. Those seeking more of an urban adventure won’t be disappointed by the vast range of clubs, shops, fashion and music provided by France’s cities in abundance. Combine all of these riches with the most sumptuous culinary scene in the world, and you may be planning your next trip to France before you even head back home.
With the River Seine gently meandering through this incredible city in northern central France, the captivating, romantic city of Paris has been described in just about every possible way and is a dream destination for people the world over, boasting many famous landmarks, a rich history and idyllic Parisian scenes at every turn. The city features monument-lined boulevards, fascinating museums, classical bistros, bohemian art nouveau cafes, creative wine bars, stylish boutiques, and art galleries. Must-see attractions include: the impressive Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe standing guard over the glamourous Champs Elysees Avenue. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample infamous French cuisine at an array of enticing ‘boulangeries’, ‘patisseries’, and ‘fromageries’.
Stretching from the Alps to the Baltic and North Seas, Germany makes for inspiring, fascinating and invigorating travel. Spend one day exploring half-timbered medieval towns and spectacular baroque palaces in Bavaria, and the next immersing yourself in fast-paced cosmopolitan cities. Metropolises such as Berlin provide a world of variety, with renowned historic attractions Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin wall right next to the top techno clubs on earth. Art and design explode in continual evolution, with Weimar providing the mecca for fans of Goethe, Schiller, and the Bauhaus Movement, and forward-thinking galleries dotted all over the country. Nature lovers have a paradise to explore, including pristine Alpine pistes, huge glimmering lakes, and thousands of miles of dense forest dotted with curative thermal springs. Culinary enthusiasts will delight in Germany's world-famous beer, sausage, and 'stollen'.
Situated near the France border in southwestern Germany’s Black Forest area, Baden-Baden is famous for its curative natural hot springs, its wealth of historic architecture and its numerous gorgeous parks. The town’s renowned mineral-rich waters are said to assist in healing all kinds of ailments, and visitors can either soak in them at the luxurious Caracalla Baths or drink the liquid at the fairy-tale-like Fettquelle Fountain and Trinkhalle. History enthusiasts have an overwhelming itinerary at hand, including the Old Town adorned with Baroque-influenced buildings, magnificent churches and antique shops, Roman Bath Ruins, Altes Schloss Hohenbaden Castle, and famous composer Johannes Brahms’s summer house. Beautiful and varied lush parks, often boasting elaborate fountains, provide an ideal wonderland for a leisurely day of picnicking.
Wedged between Germany, France, Italy, and Austria, this small, efficient country is famous for its chocolate, its watches, and most of all, its remarkably beautiful natural landscapes. The towering snow-capped Swiss Alps make up sixty percent of the country, providing visitors with limitless outdoor activities, while the numerous star-studded, glitzy ski resort towns allow them to experience the high life too. A refreshing counterpoint to this winter wonderland is a slew of incredible cities including the capital Bern, with its quaint medieval old town and cutting-edge art; the chic city of Geneva, a sophisticated shopping haven located alongside Europe’s largest lake; and, of course, uber-cool Zurich with its funky rooftop bars and atypical Swiss street grit. Whatever your preference, Switzerland is the ultimate destination for both outdoor adventure and relaxed self-indulgence.
Fringed by the Alps and Jura Mountains, and set at the southern end of the magnificent Lake Geneva, Geneva is a French-speaking Swiss city with plenty to offer every type of traveller. The City’s postcard-perfect old town, lined with a maze of cobbled alleys and sprinkled with historical monuments, charming antique stores and quaint cafes, appeals to history buffs, eager shoppers and foodies alike. A slick, modern cosmopolitan city surrounds this old-world charm, housing a thriving community of international expatriates, world-class restaurants, famous luxury jewellers and enough chocolate shops to satisfy even the most avid chocoholics. Geneva specialises in the finer things in life. The selection is overwhelming and makes for some great window shopping, which is practically a national sport in Switzerland.
France has long been the world’s favourite tourist destination, and it doesn’t take a much imagination to understand why. It has some of the highest mountains, the most dynamic cities, the best beaches and a treasure trove of the some of the world’s most famous artistic, cultural and historical artifacts. The wide open spaces and impressive mountain ranges of the French countryside allow for a vast scope of outdoor activities to thrill even the most adventurous traveller. Those seeking more of an urban adventure won’t be disappointed by the vast range of clubs, shops, fashion and music provided by France’s cities in abundance. Combine all of these riches with the most sumptuous culinary scene in the world, and you may be planning your next trip to France before you even head back home.
Set in the heart of the magnificent French Alps, Courchevel 1850 is a popular ski resort in the Savoie Departement of France. It forms part of the Les Trois Vallee, meaning the Three Valleys, the largest linked ski area in the world, idyllically situated in the Tarentaise Valley. Courchevel 1850 is named after its altitude of 1850m and offers visitors an array of skiing opportunities to suit everyone, from beginners to advanced skiers. It is the central hub for the lift gondola, which links the villages Visitors can also look forward to sampling a variety of cuisine at the local restaurants, staying in the collection of luxury chalets and exclusive hotels and browsing the upscale boutiques.
Vence is a lovely inland town perched on a rocky ledge on the French Riviera, slightly north of the coastal resort at Cagnes-sur-Mer. This attractive medieval town is still surrounded by its original 13th-century fortifications, as well as by a ring of scenic hills with spectacular views down to the Mediterranean Sea. Visitors can look forward to exploring the town’s charming old town area boasting narrow, flower-filled streets with ancient houses and quaint squares lined with numerous cafes, art galleries and small traditional shops. Tourist highlights include the world-famous Chapelle du Rosaire, which Henri Matisse considered his life’s masterpiece; a museum with a permanent Matisse collection; and Place Clemenceau and the neighbouring Passage Cahours, where you will find many of the town’s most significant historic monuments, such as the Town Hall and a 4th-century cathedral featuring a mosaic by Marc Chagall.
Set between Nice and Cannes on the Mediterranean coast, Antibes is less ostentatious than its famous neighbours, with a rich historical heritage and unassuming charm that will appeal to travellers seeking authenticity over glitz. When you’re not soaking up the sunshine on the beaches peppering the coast, you can explore the city’s impressive array of heritage sites. These include the ruins of Roman aqueducts and the beguiling old quarter, with its medieval ramparts, 12th-century cathedral and age-old lanes dotted with sidewalk cafes, trendy bars and designer boutiques. Other must-sees are the superb Exflora Park botanical gardens, and the Picasso Museum, housed in an ocean-side chateau where the artist once worked and featuring an impressive body of his work.
Het is gemakkelijk te begrijpen waarom Italië een van 's werelds meest gevierde toeristische bestemmingen is. Dit is een land dat werkelijk alles heeft: prachtige landschappen, een overvloed aan kunst- en architectonische schatten, wereldberoemde musea en een nationale obsessie met decadent eten en goede wijn. Om nog maar te zwijgen van de zonovergoten olijfgaarden, gletsjermeren, vurige vulkanen en met sneeuw bedekte toppen. Duik in het heldergroene water van de Middellandse Zee, struin langs de marktkraampjes in Napels of ervaar de gevarieerde flora en fauna die de nationale parken van het land bevolken. En als u het enorme aanbod aan keuzes overweldigend vindt, neem dan wat advies van de lokale bevolking: leun achterover, ontspan en neem een moment om te genieten van de "bella vita" (het goede leven). Zoals ze zeggen: wanneer in Rome!
Het kleine maar spectaculaire eiland Capri ligt voor de westkust van Italië in de baai van Napels. Capri, een gevierde toeristische bestemming, is een prachtige plek om te bezoeken, met elegante gebouwen, dramatische kliffen en een aantal ongelooflijke natuurlijke attracties. De Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is toegankelijk via een charmante roeiboot en is een grot bij de ingang van de zee waar bezoekers het water kunnen bewonderen, van onderaf verlicht door het zonlicht en glinsterend in ongelooflijke tinten blauw. Voor architectuurliefhebbers zijn de ruïnes van het 2000 jaar oude paleis van Villa Jovis fascinerend om te verkennen, terwijl Villa Lysis een art nouveau-meesterwerk is en Villa San Michele beschikt over rustige en uitgestrekte tuinen. Capri's selectie van populaire chique restaurants biedt verrukkelijke lokale gerechten - probeer zeker de pastagerechten met zeevruchten.
