Aquapark Sopot has 25 meters long and 12.5 meters wide swimming pool. There is also a leisure pool with a water geyser in the middle of it, massage sofas, an artificial river and a cave with a waterfall. For the youngest children there is prepared a mini pool with a depth of 30-60 cm. You can enjoy a lot of fun in the form of water cannons, slides and animals. The water temperature reaches pleasant 31-34 °C.

Aquapark Sopot offers also an outdoor pool for seasonal recreational use, with a maximum depth of 130 cm. It is coloured and adapted for interactive games. For lovers of adrenaline and excitement there are 2 water slides, one with a length of 110 meters with many curves and a second, very fast, with a length of 70 meters. If you have never swim in the natural mountain streams you should try Wild River which is flowing at about 600 liters per second.

Aquapark offers also whirlpools with bubble massage with a water temperature of 34 °C. It is great for complete relaxation and cleaning the body. You can find here bars, steam, dry and Finnish saunas, a bowling hall, cosmetics and massage.

Aquapark Sopot is open daily from Monday to Sunday from 8.00 to 22.00 hours.

Admission to the complex Aquapark Sopot ranges from 20 zł /1 hour or 50 zł /whole day, children under 3 are admitted free. You can use a family and a student discount or discount for people with disabilities and visitors over 65 years.

For further details visit official website of Aquapark Sopot.

View Aquapark Sopot – amusement water park with many attractions in Poland in a larger map

The post Aquapark Sopot – amusement water park with many attractions in Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

Kuršių Nerija National Park, Lithuania by fintlandia

Kuršių Nerija National Park has now become a popular tourist site and holiday resort, which is also one of the largest deposits of amber in the world.

Kuršių Nerija National Park contains of a range of pine forests and sand dunes, through which is sometimes referred to as the Baltic Sahara. The unique character of the landscape brought Curonian Spit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The larger part of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania is a part of Kuršių Nerija National Park covering an area of 265 km2 (98km2 are covered by land, and 167km2 by water). The park has been established in 1991 but the first steps to protect this area were undertaken already in 1960, when Curonian Spit became a Nature Reserve.

The post Kuršių Nerija National Park – Baltic Sahara in Lithuania appeared first on Europe Explored.

The main local attraction is the Turku Castle built in the 18th century, where you can visit a historical museum since 1881. Other important buildings are Turku Cathedral or Tuomiokirkko from the 13th century, open-air museum Luostarinmäki, located in Mount Vartiovuori – it is a part of the city which has survived from the 18th century.

There is also Orthodox Church, Brinkhall Manor, Kakskerta church, an old mill in Samppalinna, Church of Archangel Michael from 1905, Martin church from 1921, Turku Art Museum, Museum of pharmacy and museum Ett hem or home to a typical Finnish houses from the 18th century. In Turku, there are several festivals – the most famous is music festival Turku and Ruisrock Festival. There are 176,000 inhabitants living in Turku.

View Turku – European Capital of Culture in 2011 Finland in a larger map

The post Turku – European Capital of Culture in 2011 | Finland appeared first on Europe Explored.

Dunajec river canyon is very popular among tourists. Visitors can pass on the river on a flatboat and enjoy unforgettable adventure. This tradition dates from the early 19th century.

Towering cliffs along the canyon reach an average height of 300 meters. Dunajec River Canyon is a narrow gap in which the river has created seven turns. Most of the Pieniny national park is forested. Local peaks are generally conical shape.

You can find there many architectural attractions such as Castle Niedzica, or ruins of the castle Czorstyn directly above the Dunajec river. Slovak village Červený Kláštor is an excellent starting point for walking or cycling along the canyon.

View Dunajec River Canyon in Pieniny national park in Slovakia in a larger map

The post Dunajec River Canyon in Pieniny national park in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Sopot Pier is the most famous seaside promenade in Poland. History of Pier started in 19th century, but gained its current appearance in 1927. Sopot Pier is 511.5 meters long and 10 meters wide. It consists of a square lying on the shore and wooden part overlooking the bay. Tourists can enjoy here a pleasant atmosphere of the summer, sunbathe, watch the sunset or buy souvenirs and have fun. Nearby you will find healing spa facilities, restaurant, snack or a cinema. Sopot Pier is home to many social and sporting events, concerts and art exhibitions. course, hotel and transport services.

Sopot Pier is one of the most popular Polish recreational and entertainment venue, and it is called ‘the Pearl of Sopot‘.

View Sopot Pier in Poland – the longest wooden pier in Europe in a larger map

The post Sopot Pier in Poland – the longest wooden pier in Europe appeared first on Europe Explored.

The capital of Denmark is located on the island of Sjæland, which lies east of Denmark. Half a million inhabitants live here and 600,000 others live in the metropolitan area. Copenhagen Centre, which is full of sights, lies to the very shores of the Baltic Sea.

Copenhagen is a royal city and really has a royal looking. You will find the seat of kings here, gardens, parks, many ancient churches, towers, and especially beautiful harbors. In the following sections we will present the most interesting places in Copenhagen.

Botanisk Have – botanical garden
Nature lovers shouldn’t miss this large botanical garden, founded in the late 19th century, which is full of all kinds of plant (both exotic or Danish). Through the garden leads many paths. In one section there is a beautiful stream with a rock, in others the lake with wetland plants. You should visit also a large greenhouse full of plants – most interesting is a greenhouse with orchids, cacti and palm house, where you can go to the top and see the palm trees from above.
There is no admission, the access is free.

Statens Museum for Kunst – national gallery
If you are art lovers, do not miss this gallery, which contains one of the most interesting collections of European art. You will find works by such artists as Rubens, Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse, but the works of Danish painters as well.

Rosenborg Slot – Royal Palace
The royal palace is on of the symbols of Copenhagen. Without the admission fee you can enter the walls and see the Palace from the outside, or see it from the Royal Garden (Kongens Have). If you pay the entrance (40 DKK), then you can visit the underground treasure (where are the crown jewels), a marble hall, long hall, a Chinese salon, mirrored cabinet and stair tower.

Kongens Have – Royal Garden
This garden, immediately adjacent to the Rosenborg Slot, was founded in 1606 and is thus the oldest park in Copenhagen. You can find there beautiful roses, trees, fountains, and the various statues. One of the most famous is the statue of Hans Christian Andersen.

Kastellet fortress
Another well-known sight of Copenhagen is Kastellet fortress, which was founded in the early 17th century. This building, now open to the public, is interesting for the 5-pointed star layout, with an ancient windmill in one part. In the 19th century, the building served as a prison. Kastellet is now used by Danish army – you can meet the members of army inside.

Sankt Albans Kirke (church) and fountain Gefion
Beautiful church, called St. Albans Kirke, is built in Gothic style and it is located near Kastellet fortress. The church was built in the late 19th century and is located near the impressive fountain Gefion. This fountain is one of the most important sites of Denmark, although it was built in 1908. In the middle of the fountain there is a statue of the goddess Gefion, which has four oxen hitched to have a character from the famous Scandinavian legend.

Den lille havfrue – The statue of Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid statue, which sits on a rock and staring sadly at sea is one of the most famous symbol of Copenhagen and a major tourist attraction as well. The statue sits on a rock in the Copenhagen harbor in Langelinie.

“The Little Mermaid” is a fairy tale written by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince.
Originally it was written as a ballet, the tale was first published in 1837 and has been adapted to various media including musical theatre and animated film.

The statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, after he had been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale. The sculptor Edward Eriksen created the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. His wife, Eline Eriksen, was the model.

The statue has been moved to Expo 2010 in Shanghai for the first time ever.

Amalienborg Slot – Royal Palace
Another of the royal residences in Copenhagen is Amalienborg Slot, which is the current official residence of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The Palace is the seat of the royal family already from the late 18th century. The palace consists of several buildings which in the middle of is the square with the statue of Frederic V. From this square you can see on one side the Amaliehaven park, which borders the sea and opposite the Marmorkirken church.

Kongens Nytorv – King’s new square
One of the most famous squares throughout Copenhagen is located in its heart. There are several interesting buildings. One is a theater – Det Kongelige Teater, where you can see drama and ballet. Then there is the Hotel d’Angleterre, which belongs to the most luxurious hotels in Scandinavia. Most interesting is Nyhavn harbor.

Nyhavn – New harbour
It is 300 meters long channel, from the 17th century, with beautiful color buildings on both sides. Nyhavn is a place where people love to meet, sit in cafes or on the channel trims and enjoy the atmosphere of this place. Many boats leaves from Nyhavn on scenic routes across the Channel and the coast (hour cost approx. 30 DKK).

Other important squares – Nytorv a Raadhuspladsen
Nytorv is another famous square, where you can see a fountain of Caritas Springvandet from the beginning of the 17th century. There is also Raadhuspladsen’s Square, which is the second largest square in Copenhagen after Kongens Nytorv. It is important because there is the so-called Raadhus Hall, built of red bricks in the early 20th century.

Tivoli – amusement park
Another frequently visited site is the Tivoli amusement park. Unfortunately, the entrance is about 100 DKK + 25 DKK per adult/trip. Park operates from April to late September, then on Halloween (which is celebrated here) and on Christmas.

Vor Frelsers Kirke – church
Other attractions of Copenhagen is the church with remarkable tower from 18th century. You can enjoy beautiful view from this tower. The total height of the tower is 90 meters and it is the second biggest view point in Copenhagen.

Christiansborg Slot – Royal Palace
Another of the castles and royal residences of Copenhagen is Christiansborg Slot, which is 90 years old.

Christiania
Do not forget the Free State of Christiania, which is a special place of this city. It was founded in 1971, when squatters occupied several local branches of the barracks and the government decided not to intervene. Today there live nearly a thousand people and is certainly a place that attracts many people. Entrance to Christiania is free, but it should be noted that you can not make pictures there.

One weekend in Copenhagen
Due to the fact that Copenhagen is full of great sites, it is impossible to list them all. Nor is it possible to walk all in one afternoon. Nevertheless, we recommend the use of offers to spend a weekend in Copenhagen, as monuments are located in close proximity and all of the above listed you certainly be able to see.

The post What to see in Copenhagen (København) – Capital of Denmark appeared first on Europe Explored.

Jägala Falls are about 8 meters high. The water of Jägala River cuts into the limestone and formed here about 300 feet long valley. It flows into the nearby water reservoir Linnamäe Veehoidla and then to the Baltic Sea. Jägala Falls partially freeze in winter and get a nice icy backdrop.

The oldest known written record of a water mill in Estonia (from the early 13th century) dates from here.

View Jägala Falls – the biggest waterfall in Estonia in a larger map

The post Jägala Falls – the biggest waterfall in Estonia appeared first on Europe Explored.

The city was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which, under the leadership of political activist Lech Wałęsa, played a major role in bringing an end to Communist rule across Central Europe.

What to see in Gdańsk
Most tourist attractions are located along or near Ulica Długa (Long Street) and Długi Targ (Long Market) and the part is sometimes referred to as the Royal Road as the former path of processions for visiting kings. There one can see:

• Upland Gate (Brama Wyżynna)
• Torture House (Katownia)
• Prison Tower (Wieża więzienna)
• Golden Gate (Złota Brama)
• Long Street (Ulica Długa)
• Uphagen House (Dom Uphagena)
• Main Town Hall (Ratusz Głównego Miasta)
• Long Market (Długi Targ)
• Artus’ Court (Dwór Artusa)
• Neptune Fountain (Fontanna Neptuna)
• Golden House (Złota kamienica)
• Green Gate (Zielona Brama)

Gdańsk has a number of historical churches:

• St. Bridget
• St. Catherine
• St. John
• St Mary (Bazylika Mariacka), a municipal church built during the 15th century, is the largest brick church in the world.
• St Nicholas’ Church
• Church of the Holy Trinity

View Gdańsk – A port with great historical significance Poland in a larger map

The post Gdańsk – A port with great historical significance | Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

Best known cliffs are the Wissower Klinken and together with the Königsstuhl (King’s seat) offer an imposing view.

Hiking, cruising, horse riding and cycling are much loved options to explore the almost pristine nature of the Jasmund National Park, a picturesque place perfect for relaxing vacation everybody should have seen.

View White chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park in Rügen island, Germany in a larger map

The post White chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park in Rügen island, Germany appeared first on Europe Explored.

Latvia’s surface is mainly lowland. The highest point is Gaizinkalns hill with an elevation of 311 meters. There are more than 12.000 rivers in Latvia. The largest are the Daugava, Lielupe, Gauja and Venta. The country has over 3.000 lakes.

The capital city of Latvia is Riga which is very interesting for tourists. For lots of tourists Baltic coast is here interesting as well. The most famous tourist resort on the Baltic Sea is a town of Jurmala, situated about 20 km from Riga. Be sure to visit the beautiful Latvian countryside with beautiful pine and mixed forests. The center of Riga is full of historical buildings.

View Latvia – a heart of the Baltic States in a larger map

The post Latvia – a heart of the Baltic States appeared first on Europe Explored.