An area which is rich with such brilliant scenery and landscape is the boarders of France, Switzerland and Italy. Between these three nations lies numerous lakes, all of which taking up a different scale to the last and each offers a varying slice of what Europe can bring to the plate.

It is, of course, possible to experience all of these within the same trip thanks to their reasonably close proximity to each other and propose a great chance to get out in the car and have a true European road trip in one of the most attractive areas of the continent. Taking the car will let you see so much more of the scenery you otherwise would as you have the choice to stop whenever you please. Of course this means budgeting a bit for fuel and those with a SCCI card might want to take advantage of a bit of fuel management.

Geneva/Lausanne

One of the largest lakes in Europe is Lake Geneva, with a maximum length of 45 miles and encompasses a total of six settlements that include Geneva itself, Lausanne and Evian. As a result, the lake covers the boarders of both France and Switzerland.

One of the greatest elements to this part of the world is the superb mountain ranges that often surround the water, but of course the focal points would be visits to the cities of Geneva and Lausanne.

Geneva Lake, Switzerland by Wouter Hagens

Como

Made famous by its acting giants and rock stars who make up a small part of the local population, such as the likes of George Clooney and Muse vocalist Matt Bellamy. However, Como has also been given such a brilliant reputation because of how truly beautiful the landscape is, as well as the town itself.

Going out for a boating trip across the lake or taking in the view by the shore with a drink are just a couple of the things you can enjoy in Como, but away from the water, the buildings of the town are also worth a look in.

Lake Como, Italy by Franco Folini

Maggiore

Sticking with northern Italy, Lake Maggiore is another that crosses boarders as it also reaches into Switzerland.

Maggiore is quite narrow at some points and therefore a boat trip between towns and villages such as Verbania and Arona are logistically viable. Ferries operate daily, so it is possible to visit numerous locations whilst in the area and get a solid grasp on the beauty of the surroundings.

Maggiore Lake, Italy by Franco Folini

About the author: Sam writes for SCCI Carte Carburante Italy, who offer fuel cards for those travelling in Europe.

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Krakow, Poland by Klearchos Kapoutsis

Once the capital city during Poland’s Golden Age, Krakow could be one of the top most beautiful cities in Europe. It is Poland’s second largest city, with a population of around 700,000. It is also one of Poland’s oldest cities, with archaelogical remains showing inhabitation dating back to 20,000 B.C.E. By the year 1000 AD, it had grown to an immensely important, wealthy, and large trade center for Slavonic Europe.

Wawel Castle

One of Krakow’s major tourist destinations, the sprawling Wawel Castle, was built during the 13th century under threat of continued attacks from Mongol and Tatar forces. Thee 16th century found Krakow as a center for strong developments in science and arts – this led to Krakow’s golden age, another period of wealth and growth. Throughout history it had its ups and downs, but World War II was the largest most recent threat to its long-standing history. While much of Poland was destroyed as a main target of the enemy during WWII, much of Krakow was left intact from invading forces and aerial attacks (unlike Warsaw). This contributes to its historical tourism.

Located in southern region of Poland, only a couple of hours from the Tatra Mountains, Krakow is an excellent base from which to explore this beautiful region. Public transportation in the form of electric trams, buses, shuttles, and trains make getting around incredibly painless. Exploring on foot is also another great way to get around, as much of Krakow’s main tourist points are located around the Old Town Center. There is also a municipal bike rental for very affordable rates.

Must-see attractions within the city include the Wawel Castle, which offers a variety of touring options – the whole compound, or separate buildings such as the cathedral, galleries, or main castle grounds. Nearby, the historic Old Town Center is filled with museums, cathedrals, galleries, as well as restaurants, cafes, and bars. Historical buffs will enjoy the Museum of Archaelogy, which has many exhibits showing the fascinating history of the area, as well as contains the world’s only known representation of Swiatowit, the ancient and mysterious Slavic diety.

Wawel Castle, Krakow, Poland by fraumrau

The Zoological Museum

The Zoological Museum of the Jagiellonian University is the oldest zoological museum in Poland, and is located in a beautiful historic building, with exhibits located in cellars hewn into the rock. The Rynek Glowny (Main Town Square) contains an historic trading hall, called Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), from which many locally made Polish souvenirs can be purchased. The lovely Town Hall Tower gives a great view of the city when you climb to many stairs the top.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

There are also amazing attractions outside of the city. An absolute must-see is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, about a 20 minute bus ride from the city center. This is the oldest and longest-running salt mine in the world, having had a continuous mining operation for over 700 years. Visiting the mine requires registration as part of a guided tour, which has tour guides in all major languages. The tour starts with a long descent down 30 stories of stairs, followed by about a 2 mile walk through the underground tunnels, visiting not only salt operations, but fascinating pieces of history of the people who lived and worked here over the centuries.

There is an incredible cathedral in the mine, at a depth of about 1,000 feet below ground, and which is carved entirely out of salt – the floor tiles, chandeliers, wall frescoes, and pulpit were all hand carved from the gigantic salt deposit. Some 60 km from Krakow lies another popular destination – Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp used by Nazis during World War II. Words cannot describe the conditions the prisoners endured, but visitors get an idea of it from the numerous exhibits containing personal effects of prisoners, as well as piles of shoes, prosthetics, shaved hair, etc. While incredibly saddening, this site is a must-see.

Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland by Adam Kumiszcza

Enough History and Culture

Krakow is the top tourist city in Poland, for good reason. There is enough history and culture to draw in tourists and keep them busy for weeks at a time. Any time of year is great to visit, however the winter season has less tourists. Winter also allows skiing buffs the chance to take the 2 hour ride south to the charming town of Zakopane, the regions skiing mecca. For a different, memorable trip to Europe, consider Krakow and you won’t be disappointed.

This article was written by Kevin Caldwell who enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. He also built www.bricktownokchotels.com to help travelers find hotels near Bricktown when they are traveling in Oklahoma.

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St Mary’s Abbey, York, UK by Mrs Logic

Ghost Hunting in York

One of the UK’s most beautiful cities, York features an array of buildings left over from times of yore – including the castle which looks over the city – and is home to some fantastically spooky nooks and crannies. Going on one of the ghost walks throughout the city is a fantastic way of learning a bit of British history.. whilst also being scared out of your wits!

Culture at the Edinburgh Festival

Once per year Edinburgh is flooded by tourists looking to soak up as much culture as they possibly can as the Scottish town becomes one of the liveliest places on earth. With shows on all day, every day in more locations than it is possible to count there is everything from cutting edge comedy through to new media debates and much, much more.

Notting Hill Carnival

Why not hit the streets and lose yourself in the atmosphere of Notting Hill carnival? As raucous, lively, vibrant and bold as anything in Rio, the London based carnival features a fiesta atmosphere and a procession of eye catching spectacles.

Notting Hill Carnival, UK by extrageographic

Go Running

Why just leave it to the Olympians to partake in sporting activities? Like most sports, running is much more fun to do that it is to watch and this can be made even more interesting if you decide to jog in some of the UK’s more scenic destinations. From Hampstead or the New Forest through to the Yorkshire Dales, running is much more fun when done in an aesthetically pleasing surrounding. It would be advisable, however, to cast aside the latest trend for barefoot running if you don’t know your surroundings and to invest in a pair of running shoes. An alternative to this is to hire a bike and take that out for a spin instead.

Visit The National Media Museum

Based in Bradford, Yorkshire the National Media Museum is a must stop destination for fans of film. With one of the world’s few remaining functional Cineramas, a giant IMAX and screens playing host to the crème de la crème of world cinema, there is always something to keep the burgeoning cinefile entertained. On top of this the museum boasts an archive of rare film and television memorabilia and has new exhibitions and displays from artists around the world. For those looking for something less high brow, the museum also boasts an arcade of retro games such as Street Fighter and Tetris which are ideal for wiling away the hours on.

Kieron is a UK based fashion writer and blogger who is looking forward to spending the summer avoiding the Olympics. He is particularly looking forward to jogging in his Skechers around Ogden whilst avoiding watching Discuss, Javelin and a host of other events.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Nigel’s Europe

Most visitors find their way up the winding Ronda road from the town of San Pedro de Alcantara just outside Marbella. From San Pedro take the A397 north for approximately 47 km or one hour and you will arrive in the heart of Ronda. It’s an incredible drive through gorgeous scenery but the road does twist and turn quite a lot. It’s a favourite with motorcyclists so be prepared to be overtaken on your way up and down again.

If you’re driving to Ronda directly from your Malaga car hire collection point, then you may prefer to take the straighter A357 and then A367 via Cartama, Ardales, Cuevas del Becerro. It’s a bit further at 100 km or one and half hours but the scenery is still great! Once you get to Ronda, there is plenty of parking with well signed and reasonably priced public car parks throughout the city.

A third option is to take the train. There is one train per day that runs between Malaga airport and Ronda but the line between San Roque Estacion and Ronda is far more scenic. It stops in a couple of pretty villages on the way and you will really get a feel for authentic Spanish countryside. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the storks nesting on top of the electricity pylons on your way up! There are four trains each day in each direction and the fares are very reasonable.

Ronda dominates the landscape around it and hence was very strategically important to the Moors who survived here until the Christians overcame them in 1485. You will see a lot of Moorish and Arabic influences in the architecture in the centre. The city is located either side of a 100 metre deep gorge, El Tajo. The New Bridge or Puente Nuevo, which dates back to the 18th Century, spans El Tajo and joins together the older southern side of the town with the “newer” part.

In the southern side of Ronda you will find some of the most interesting tourist attractions such as the Palacio Mondragon with its typical Moorish mosaics and plasterwork, Minaret San Sebastian (the remains of a 14th century mosque) and the very impressive Ayuntamiento or town hall with its arcaded facade and Mudéjar ceiling. There is even a Catholic church, Santa María la Mayor, where you can see the minaret and prayer niche which have survived from its previous use as a mosque back in the 13th century.

Whatever your principles, a visit to the bullring is highly recommended. It is thought that Ronda’s Plaza de Toros is the world’s oldest bullring and the spiritual home of bullfighting. The first bullfight is meant to have taken place in 1785. The bullring is a very elegant construction with Tuscan columns forming the two storey seating galleries. The bullfighting museum within explains the cultural history of Spain’s controversial sport or artform (depending on which side of the coin your opinions fall) and includes a tour of the bullring itself and the Royal Harness and Livery collection. Several of the ornate and colourful bullfighting costumes are on display together with an antique fire-arms collection. Next to the bullring is the School of Equestrianism where you can watch the training of their beautiful thoroughbred horses and riders.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by jim crossley

Spanish sighs and France’s finest

Spain’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant city, Barcelona is awash with art, culture, sport and music. Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary cathedral that is still being built today, is just one of the enduring symbols of this amazing city. Its other great cathedral is the Nou Camp, the home of Barcelona FC. Hop on one of the city’s tour buses to soak up as much of Barcelona as possible so you can make the most of any stop here.

Considered by many as the jewel of the Med, Palma de Mallorca is a stunning fusion of Roman, Spanish, Catalan, Moorish and contemporary culture. Its mighty cathedral dominates the city centre where cool bars and top-class restaurants are filled nightly with the rich, the famous and the ordinary holidaymaker. Its narrow, cobbled streets are a treat, particularly for shopaholics.

The romantic allure of the French Riviera remains undimmed after decades at the top of every celebrity’s holiday wish list. Nice has stunning beaches and shopping to die for but is also a cultural oasis, too – second only to Paris in the number of museums and art galleries it has. Make time for a stroll and a refreshment on the Promenade des Anglais.

The celeb count is always high in Cannes, too, particularly during its world-famous film festival in May. This once sleepy fishing village is now one of the most glamorous spots in the world and you simply have to perch at a street café by the marina to people watch. Explore the winding streets of the old town and enjoy a spectacular view from the castle ruins at the top.

Africa meets Europe in dazzling fashion in Marseille where the sights and sounds of that continent mingle with French natives, creating a tantalising mix just like the seafood that’s mixed to make this city’s famous fish broth, bouillabaisse. Explore Roman ruins and wander through markets selling local produce and more exotic sights, smells and sounds of North and West Africa.

La dolce vita

Mere words cannot adequately describe Rome, the Eternal City. It’s probably easier simply to list some of its outstanding attractions and give you a hint of why you must make the most of every single moment in this extraordinary place. St Peter’s Square and the Vatican, the Coliseum and Circus Maximus, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps – history is literally around every corner. They say all roads lead to Rome. Make sure you’re on one.

The tiny island of Capri, off the west coast of Italy near Naples, is four square miles of stunning beauty. Take the funicular from the Marina Grande to the main town and enjoy the best Italian coffee at a café while people watching. Capri is renowned for its sky-high prices but sometimes you simply have to splash out!

The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is quite simply art, culture and architectural heaven. Its museums and art galleries are world class, particularly the Galleria degli Uffiz, which is so busy you’ll need to book in advance. Don’t miss the Duomo di Firenze, the city’s enormous cathedral – climb Giotto’s Tower next door for the best view of the cathedral dome.

Balkan beauty

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik’s magnificent city walls and Old Town survived the Balkan conflict and today this Croatian city is one of the must-visit stops on any Mediterranean cruise. Walk the city walls and marvel at the mediaeval fortress; take the cable car to the top of Mount Srd for amazing views over the city and the sparkling Adriatic beyond; and wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town, shopping for bargains.

Greece’s capital, Athens is a sprawling metropolis where the monuments of Ancient Greece nestle alongside the trappings of modern life. The Acropolis and Parthenon remain proud symbols of Greece as the birthplace of modern civilisation, while the Monastiraki district is packed with cafes, restaurants, bars and shops.

Guest post provided by Bon Voyage one of the leading online suppliers of top quality Mediterranean cruises.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Karen Melchior

South of France

The South of France is known for its great cuisine and Roman ruins. It has several tiny villages and also boasts of big cities like Marseille. This part is home to the Riviera and the Pyrenees, a mountain region separating the country from Spain. The Dordogne is one of the most beautiful regions in France and is a must see.

Central France

This region is one of the quietest parts of France but has the famous Loire Valley as a part of it. The valley is studded with extraordinary castles and quaint towns. The cathedral in Chartres makes it one of the most beautiful cities in terms of French property.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by frank wouters

Eastern parts of France

Alsace and Burgundy fall in the east of France. These regions are known for their wines and are characterized by magnificent hills. Dijon, Nancy and Strasbourg are some of the famous cities in this region.

Western France

Western France faces the Atlantic coast. It is adorned with beaches, beautiful cities and lush hills. The atmosphere in this part of France sets it apart from the rest. The Neolithic ruins on the beaches remind visitors of its Celtic origin and give the entire region an additional historic and enchanted aura.

Most of the attractions in France are in the form of natural or built heritage. Some popular sites include the Eiffel Tower, a 19th century tower that was built for the World Fair. It is comprised of 7300 tones of iron. The Louvre Museum, the first national museum in the country, hosting a collection of artefacts, sculptures and paintings from all over Europe. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart houses more than 200 steps that provide one the most splendid views of Paris. Apart from the major cities, some other small communes and villages are also breathtaking and must-see locations. France is also home to several famous cathedrals and the world’s largest traffic round-about at the Arc de Triomphe.

Chateauforsale.org is a website promoting the finest and best luxury french chateaux and vineyards for sale in France. The website regularly covers a variety of topics relating to France on their French Property Blog. Follow them on twitter @frenchchateaux.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marian Hubinsky

Trenčín Castle was built in the 10th century. Since 11th century it was the royal castle, which not only withstood Tatar invasions, but also served as a fortress against the Turks. It was gradually rebuilt and expanded, but the castle burnt down in 1790. Its reconstruction began just after 1945.

Trenčín Castle is accessible all year-round except for Mondays. You can get there directly from the city centre by following the street leading from the main city’s square (Mierové námestie). The castle is nicely illuminated at night.

Various events are held on the castle during the summer, such as folk exhibitions, fencing tournaments, live music concerts and more. One part of the castle serves as a gallery where you can see oil paintings of local nobility, emblems and seals.

The biggest attraction of the castle is 80 metres deep well, called Well of Love. The well is excavated into the hard rock and it is said that the well was built by Turkish Omar Pasha. Stephen Zápoľský held in captivity a beautiful girl Fatima, loved by Omar, and Zápoľský promised him that if he sink a well at the castle, he will let her go. The works lasted three years and then Fatima and Omar could really leave the castle.

In Trenčín you can also find many other historical sites. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Slovakia and certainly worth a visit.

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If you want a little rest and enjoy the atmosphere of the city you can not miss the waterfronts Granslei and Korenlei. At any time of day it is full of self-confident young people, mostly students of local universities, who will enchant you with their immediacy and helpfulness. Waterfront Granslei is typical for old guild houses with shields beautifully decorated, which are mirrored in the surface channel. Channels crisscrossing countless cruise ships full of curious tourists, which is the fastest way to experience all in an idyllic spot on the riverbank. If you get lost in small streets, you will be surprised by the number of caffes and many catering services for cyclists. Among other things, the Belgians take a bike as a natural means of transport anywhere in the office, on shopping, or on trips.

Much of the Gent’s medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. The center of Gent is the largest carfree area in Belgium.

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Toruń‘s Old Town was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a World Heritage Site in 1997 and 10 years later it was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland.

For your visit to Toruń, you should reserve at least 2 days. The city is a charming especially after sunset, when the souvenir sellers and most tourists disappear from the streets. Best time to visit Toruń is from May to September. During the summer, there are lots of music, theater, gingerbread and other festivals in Toruń.

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The city of Florence has been inhabited since the prehistoric times. However, it would not be until 59 B.C. that the city would become part of the Great Roman Empire. Nestled along the banks of the Arno River, Claire Cesar knew that the city would be great one day. Back in those days, Florence was known as Colonia Florentia. It started off as a military colony and grew into one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world.

Sunset over Florence, Tuscany, Italy by Steve

The history of Florence is both rich and very colorful. There are many landmarks and monuments throughout the city which have attracted countless visitors over the centuries. Some say that perhaps the most notable of these landmarks is the 106 meter tall Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore that was built at the end of the 13th century. From the top of the Duomo, you can see some of the best panoramic views of Florence imaginable.

The next most notable monument in Florence is that of the Ponte Vecchio. This old bridge which was built back in 1345 is not just a bridge, it is an entire community. Along the length of the bridge, there are several homes, various shops and boutiques. Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed back in the Second World War which makes it the oldest stone arch bridge in the whole of Europe.

Tower of Florence Cathedral, Tuscany, Italy by Ivan Borisov

Of course no one could be allowed to leave Florence without taking the time to stop by the Piazzale Michelangelo. Situated atop a hill, from the Piazzale you can get some of the most awe inspiring views of the city and of course, of the infamous Florentine sunset.

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