1. Lisbon

The capital of Portugal is the city of Lisbon which is home to more than half a million permanent residents. You will find the city on the Iberian Peninsula, situated along the banks of the Tagus River. It is here where the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. There are countless historical sites which can be seen and visited throughout the city of Lisbon, one of the most famous is that of World Heritage Belém Tower, which you will probably see on every postcard from Lisbon.

Belém Tower, Lisbon by Chrismatos

2. Porto

As the second largest city in the country, Porto is home to more than two hundred thousand people. You can find the city situated within the estuary of the Douro River in the northern part of the country. Being one of the oldest cities in Europe, there are many world heritages sites that can be found in its historical town center.

Porto by Sunny Ripert

3. Albufeira

The city of Albufeira is a popular tourist destination in Portugal. There are countless golf courses, hotels and restaurants that can be found in and around the city. Nearby you will also find the popular Paderne Castle which has attracted many visitors over the years. Parts of the original Roman aqueduct can also be found in the city itself.

Albufeira beach, Portugal by Sberla_

4. Lagos

You will find the town of Lagos situated at the Bensafrim River mouth where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The town and surrounding area is a very well-known tourist destination on the account of the many fine beaches that can be found along the coastlines. There is even a historical shipyard which dates back to the days of Henry the Navigator that can be found in Lagos. However it is mainly rock formations at Ponta da Piedade that make this place very popular. It is located just 2km south of the city centre.

Ponta Da Piedade, Lagos, Portugal by Romain MOREL

5. Funchal, Madeira

You will find the city of Funchal situated along the coast of charming Portuguese island of Madeira, rising up over the sea and offering some of the most breath taking views of the surrounding countryside and waters. It is a capital of Madeira, known among the locals as Little Lisbon. However Funchal is not the only place you should visit once you are in Madeira. It is green island, covered by mountains and is often called the Island of never-ending spring. So once you are here, make sure to spend some time hiking around the island.

Funchal, Madeira by Ben Salter

6. Portimão

The town of Portimão can be found along the southern coastlines of Portugal. Thanks to the pristine waters and the beautiful sandy beaches in the area, the city has grown to become a popular seaside destination. It is also the home of the popular Mundialito de Futebol de Praia tournament which is held annually.

Praia do Alemão, Portimão by Aires Almeida

7. Sintra

The beautiful architecture as well as landscapes that can be found in and around the town of Sintra is one of the biggest reasons the area has grown to become a major centre for tourism in the country. There are countless palaces and castles which date back to the 8th and 9th centuries which can be found throughout the town. One of the most beautiful is Pena National Palace often referred to as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Pena National Palace, Sintra by David Sim

8. Vilamoura

When it comes to spending a luxurious vacation along the Portuguese coastlines, there is no better destination than that of Vilamoura. It is considered to be one of the most popular destinations in all of Europe and also one of the most luxurious one. Here, you will find a magnificent resort which is complete with a marina which has seen many of the world’s most prestigious yachts over the years.

Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal by Sue Elias

9. Cascais

The town of Cascais can be found along the nation’s coastlines. There are many fine beaches around the town as well as a castle, sea museum and a beautiful historical town centre that is just waiting to be explored. There are many reasons why this sleepy little town has grown to become one of the most popular destinations in the country.

Centre of Cascais by Francesco Sgroi

10. Faro

You will find the city of Faro in the southernmost portion of Portugal. The city is situated near the edges of the Ria Formosa Lagoon which is a magnificent nature reserve that has attracted countless migratory bird species. There are countless stretches of quiet and secluded beaches that can be found throughout the city and lagoon areas.

Faro, Algarve by Greg Pye

11. Fátima

The parish of Fátima is home to many small villages that are associated with the 1917 Cova da Iria apparitions. At 300 meters above sea level, the parish can be found encompassing much of the Estremenho Limestone Massif. The area is a popular pilgrimage site in the country and has attracted many visitors in the last century.

The Basilica of Fátima, Portugal by hugo esteves

12. Tavira

The city of Tavira can be found along the southern coastlines of Portugal, nestled snuggly along the mouth of where the Gilão River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The area has been known to have been settled back in the 8th century B.C. by the Phoenicians who built a large center in the area. There are countless archaeological sites that can now be found within and around the city today.

Tavira, Portugal by Cayetano

13. Braga

In the northwestern part of the country is where you will find the city of Braga. The city is considered to be one of the oldest Christian archdioceses in the world. Originally settled by the Romans, the city flourished over the millennia and today is the third largest in the country. There are many historical sites that one can visit throughout the city.

Braga Cathedral, Portugal by Jose Goncalves

14. Coimbra

During the middle ages, the city of Coimbra was the capital of Portugal. Today it is home to one of the oldest universities in the European Union. There are many fine sites throughout the city to visit as well as the 16th century University. Many tourists make their way to the city every single year.

Coimbra, Portugal by Dennis Jarvis

15. Évora

The city of Évora is most well known for its beautiful and fully intact town center. Many of the original fortified walls which had once guarded the old town are still standing today. Situated along the banks of the Tagus River, the ancient city of Évora has attracted many visitors over the years. The most important sights of the city include Roman Temple, Igreja da Graça Church, Cathedral, or University.

Roman Temple at Evora, Portugal by ho visto nina volare

16. Ponta Delgada, Azores

In the Azores archipelago, you will find the city of Ponta Delgada situated along the shores of the São Miguel Island. The city is a historical one and while most people make their way to the area for the pristine beaches, it would be impossible to spend one’s entire holiday in Ponta Delgada without also visiting the many historical buildings that can be found throughout the city.

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal by Christophe.Finot

17. Sagres Point

Situated in the southern part of Portugal, not too far from Cape St. Vincent, you will find the area known as Sagres Point. Over the centuries, Sagres Point has been a popular resting point for countless expeditions before travelling through the rocky cape. It is also one of the oldest settled areas in Portugal which dates back to the Neolithic Era.

Sagres Point, Portugal by Curtis Foreman

18. Setúbal

You will find the city of Setúbal nestled snuggle along the banks of the Sado River just south of the nation’s capital. The city is a historical one and over the years has attracted many visitors who come to visit the fine historical buildings that can be found throughout Setúbal. There are also a number of archaeological sites that can be visited just outside of the city.

Monastery of Jesus of Setúbal, Portugal by Georges Jansoone

19. Aveiro

A small port city of Aveiro located in central Portugal, in the region that is full of bays, rivers, canals and bridges, is among the most pleasant Portuguese towns. Local tourist attraction is a sailing through channels on colourful boats, it is quite similar to Italian city of Venice and therefore it is often called Venice of Portugal.

Aveiro, Portugal by unhappy by design

20. Guimarães

City of Guimarães is considered a cradle of the Portuguese nation and lies in the north-western part of the country, 15 km south-east of Braga and 42 km northeast of Porto. Its main jewels include Castelo de Guimarães, Igreja da Oliveira a Padrão do Salado or Paço dos Duques de Bragança.

Guimarães, Portugal by paul Barker Hemings

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With the Red Light District and specialist cafes commonly associated with the city, the location may not come across in the best of light. Yet Amsterdam is far more varied and is actually a place of rich culture with some truly amazing scenery and interesting history for tourists to enjoy. If you’re planning a trip to the city then here are five things you might not know:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands by Chris Yunker

1. Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in Europe

When it comes to crime rates it may surprise you to find that, contrary to popular belief, Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in Europe. Many people are under the impression that Amsterdam is a dangerous place to go but this is just not the case.

While the crime policies may be viewed as more lenient towards certain activities, the violent crime rate is actually pretty low. According to data from 2010, violent crime rate for Amsterdam was 35.14% lower than the national average for this type of crime.

Crimes such as pick pocketing do happen but occur fairly infrequently. Crime rates may be slightly higher in areas such as downtown, areas south of downtown and some areas in the western side (including at some of the high rise projects) but even here the risk of crime is minimal.

2. There are more canals than in Venice

Did you know that there are more canals in Amsterdam than there are in Venice? Amsterdam also has approximately three times more bridges than Venice too which may come as something of a surprise.

Beautiful and traditional Amsterdam apartments overlook the winding dreamy canals that caress the city so perfectly and they are one of the city’s most serene and fascinating features; more than earning it the title of ‘The Venice of the North’.

Amsterdam canals, The Netherlands by Christian Lendl

3. Amsterdam is ideal for a beach break

You are never far away from a beach while in Amsterdam; there are many different forms of transport that provide access to nearby beaches. If you fancy feeling a little sand beneath your feet, there are several urban beaches within the city or you could even travel to Zandvoort for a relaxing break away from the city.

With its golden sandy dunes and clear blue water, Zandvoort plays host to many international windsurfing and catamaran racing competitions. Add in some quirky little beach cafes, you’ve got a great, entertaining afternoon in the sun!

Amsterdam beach, The Netherlands by Amy Bonner

4. There are more bikes than cars

You will see cars very infrequently throughout Amsterdam as there is very little need for them. As a result, parking can be somewhat expensive and difficult to find. The public transport system within Amsterdam is simply excellent but many people use bicycles to get around and it is thought they outnumber cars dramatically. In fact, as many as 60% of inner-city trips are claimed to be made by bike.

Bikes in Amsterdam, The Netherlands by Christian Lendl

5. The best architecture is in the Red Light District

While the Red Light District becomes somewhat lively at night, it is certainly a place that should be visited at least once. During the day the area is quite exquisite and there is a free walking tour that will allow you to see the stunning architecture and scenery while learning some of the history of the area.

Amsterdam Red Light District, The Netherlands by William Beutler

Amsterdam is an attractive, romantic place to visit with some surprising features, so why not take a trip and see what else you can learn?

Written by: Sheryl Lovenkrandz – a freelance blogger who loves to write about Amsterdam travel.

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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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Dublin Castle, Ireland by William Murphy

Food spots

Dublin offers some great places to eat in, ranging from cheap and cheerful to more expensive and upmarket. High on the list is the Italian eatery Dunne and Crescenzi on Frederick Street South in the Temple Bar area. With its fine wines, coffees and excellent menu choices this is an ideal place to dine at. Another great spot is Chapter One in Parnell Square offering reasonable prices as well as specialities from Irish seafood to sumptuous desserts.

Arts and culture

Among the artistic and cultural attractions is the national photographic archive in Temple Bar so perhaps this is a place to drop in to before or after your visit to Dunne and Crescenzi. Hundreds of thousands of images are stored here with exhibitions available. Also in the city is the Irish Museum of Modern Art (or IMMA) which is located near Heuston Station, in the building of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Music

Also in the Temple Bar area is Andrew’s Lane which used to house plays and performances but has become a music venue in recent years. The vibe here is slightly out of the box, offering innovation not heard on your mainstream radio stations. Another superb venue is the Cobblestone in Smithfield in the north of the city. The Cobblestone is a fantastic pub as well as a setting for some of the finest in local music with distinctive interior design which really adds to the atmosphere.

Where to drink

Part of the fabric of Dublin is its proliferation of establishments in which you can sample the local drinks, which of course includes the finest Guinness. O’Donoghue’s in Merrion Row is an important place in the history of folk music and is always a hit for tourists. On Harry Street you can find McDaid’s with the standard food and drink offerings as well as a particularly attractive interior. For a livelier pub look no further than Kitty O’Shea’s, giving you a vibe more befitting of a holiday resort like Ibiza.

Steven Smith writes here about the many attraction on offer in Ireland, on behalf of Eirebus

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Sunset at Stockholm, Sweden by Olof Senestam

Djurgarden Island

Considered as the top attraction center, the Djurgarden Island is smack in the middle of Stockholm and well appreciated for its events, parks, greenery and many sights and sounds. This island alone handles 10 million visitors every year. A popular 2 hour walking tour takes tourists on a myriad of interesting features of the island.

Grona Lund

Probably a top pick for the entire family, the Grona Lund is an amusement park in Stockholm that is always an excellent spot for tourists. The Tivoli in this amusement park offers a Viking Ship ride the Scandinavian way.

Stockholm Nightlife

Compared to the nightlife of any major metropolitan city in Europe the one in Sweden and in particular Stockholm stands on top. Plenty of bars, discos and all night café offer a lot of drinking and partying for party lovers.

Vasa Museum

A 17^th century Swedish vessel, Vasa was christened and sent on its maiden voyage never to return again. This warship was salvaged after its discovery some time back with its remains brought back intact to the Vasa Museum. Today, this is the only museum exhibiting an intact war ship of the 17^th century. Chosen as one of the 7 Swedish wonders, the museum provides a glimpse into the six different levels of the ship.

Change of guards in the Royal Castle, Stockholm, Sweden by Clemens v. Vogelsang

Guard Changing Of Stockholm

One of the free excitements to witness in Stockholm is the Change of Royal Guards. A 40 minute long event shows over 30,000 guards changing in front of the King’s Royal residence.

Artwork Shopping

Considered as the shopping capital in the North of Europe, Stockholm provides many streets lined with designer shops and bargain points. IKEA, a major Swedish furniture brand is just one of the few shops set up in the city. You can find anything and everything related to Swedish design and styling in its streets from famous and not so famous artists, craftsmen and designers.

Kungstradgarden Ice Skating

For those who visit Stockholm in winter, the Kungstradgarden is a must-visit site. This park offers free ice skating in a city that adores this sport. A major reason why travel guidebooks and websites advise visiting Sweden in winter is because of the many winter activities you can engage in.

The ABBA Museum

This museum is the only ABBA museum in the world and it will receive well over half a million visitors each year. The museum provides a 4000 sq. meter tour of interesting items belonging to ABBA and displayed on three different levels. Stated to open real soon, keep your calendar empty to take this never seen before spectacle in full glory.

Guided Tours of the City

The best way to take in all the splendors spread across 14 islands is to go on a guided tour of the Swedish capital. There are plenty of guides and tour companies around to choose from but it is best to book in advance.

Autor Bio: This article was produced by Catalita G. (the girl standing behind the travel blog Channel Voyager).  On that blog you can read more information about trips and learn how to book a hotel in Stockholm (it is interesting to know that the term in Swedish is boka hotell Stockholm).

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1. Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of those iconic landmarks in the world, built 1,063 feet into the sky it dominates the Parisian skyline, meaning you can almost always see it from around the city. With tickets to the very top floor at €14.00 and to the second floor at €8.50, obviously discounts do apply to concessions and children. I would recommend going to the very top as it is a really breath-taking view.

Skyline – Paris, France at night by Jim Trodel

2. Musée d’Orsay

Arguably not as famous as its brother Le Louvre, Musée d’Orsay is just as fantastic with stunning artwork by Manet, Rousseau, Klimt Renoir and Monet to name just a few. They also have impressive, architecture, photography and sculpture’s, including a personal favourite of mine Degas’ ‘Small Dancer Age 14’. One of the most arresting features of the, Musée d’Orsay is the beautiful clock that hangs in the centre of the far wall as you enter the museum. It is a reminder that it used to be a station until 1939 and you can just imagine thousands of people looking up at it to make sure that they were on time.

3. Notre Dame

Another popular Paris tourist attraction is Notre Dame; I first came to know about it whilst watching Disney’s film ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ when I was young. Obviously that story was based upon the book by Victor Hugo, but you still get the feeling among the Gothic facades that a unknown creature could live at the top among the bells. The Gargoyles that surround the structure eerily look down at you and it makes for a chilling, but amazing experience. When you enter Notre Dame you get the overwhelming sense of being very small and insignificant in the vast building, you can’t quite believe that it was finished being built in 1345 (they started building it in 1163!)

4. The River Seine

Admittedly this isn’t just a Paris attraction as the River Seine flows for 776km; however it is one of my favourite ways to see Paris from a boat cruising along the River. There are various ports dotted up and down the Seine or you can go in a circular motion from the same point, it’s a fun way to travel instead of walking or using the Metro.

5. Montmartre

The point at which the Sacre Coeur is located, Mont Martre is a great place to wander the streets taking in the art shops, cafés and Parisian ambience. When I went we sat in a café and watched while a fantastic blues band pitched up suddenly next to an art shop and listened to the fantastic music all whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. Its moments like that, which will stay with you forever and make your trip to Paris fantastic!

Bio: Phoebe is a Freelance journalist from London and loves to travel around Europe and the US.

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Photo by admin

Accommodation

Staying on the outskirts of Venice is generally much cheaper than staying in on the Grand Canal, however the city is small enough to walk around on foot so you won’t be far from the centre of the action. Some of the best budget accommodation can be found in guest houses where the owners pride themselves on providing cheap and clean rooms for as little as £18 a night. Alternatively you can stay in the mainland area of Mestre for a fraction of the cost of a Venice hotel but you may wish to consider transport costs in and out of the city.

Eating Out

Head to the markets for a bit of lunch if you are eating on a budget. There are a number of outdoor markets near Rialto that packed with fresh fruit and veg, delicious breads and pastries and seafood.

If you are eating out in the evening avoid the main tourist squares such as the Piazza San Marco. Here you may be charged by the restaurant just for sitting down, and you can be sure that they will also charge you heavily for the little bowl of bread left on the table. Instead look for the restaurants on the edge of the city, especially if there are locals dining. Try the Trattoria Alle Due Gondolette in the Sestiere Cannaregio for some outstanding local cuisine and seafood for around €12. Portions are big and there is no cover charge either.

Don’t forget that some of the finest pizza and calzone to be found can be purchased from the numerous street stalls around the city. Grab yourself a slice, sit down by the canal and watch the world go by. Even better when followed by some of Venice’s famous gelato!

Photo by admin

Travel

By far the best and cheapest way to travel round Venice are the network of public transport boats known as Vaporetti. You can buy passes for the Vaporetti that are valid for from 12 hours to up to a week depending on how long you are staying. A 12 hour ticket is €16. Just remember to validate your ticket using the machine each time you get on and off the boat or you may be fined by the inspectors. The Vaporetti routes can take you all over the city, down the Grand Canal and even over to the island of Murano where you can watch glass-blowers creating some stunning works of art.

Seeing the Sights

The most wondrous sight in Venice is the Carnival which is celebrated all over the city during the month of February. There are events throughout the city and many of them are free – there’s no need to book one of the over-priced tours that are offered by so many agents. The official Venice website has a downloadable brochure of what’s going on during this special time from masked parades to music.

If you are thinking of visiting some of the famous tourist attractions, how about the Basilica di San Marco which is free? Many of the churches such as the Santa Maria della Salute are also open to visitors and host some amazing artwork and architecture.

And finally…

Even if you’re a hopeless romantic, BlueTrips.co.uk recommends you avoid the gondolas like the plague. You can eat and drink for a couple of days on the cost.. Instead pop a little Vivaldi on your iPod when you’re cruising around on the Vaporetti and I promise you won’t miss out! If you enjoy taking a break near the water, why not have a look at Dongo on the shores of Lake Como, still in Italy?

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This is the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, which offers a completely different travel than any other trains in Europe. Come aboard and get better, more elegant way to travel around Europe.

Romantic adventure, comfort and history are closely linked with the journeys that lead through Europe. Discover the amazing scenery on your way to the most attractive cities in Europe. Enjoy beautiful vintage cabins, gourmet cuisine and live entertainment on board of the iconic train and experience one of the world’s best travel moments.

Something from its history… The first such train left on 4 October 1883 from Gare de Strasbourg station in Paris through Romania, towards Constantinople (former name of Istanbul, Turkey). It had a small but elegant locomotive, as well as a baggage car, two very luxurious and large sleeping cars, a beautiful dining car with a smoking lounge and a car for personnel. It was called the “Orient Express” and drove about 40 passengers.

However at that time passengers had to travel by train, ferry, a local Romanian train and then by a boat to get to Constantinople. Few years later the new railways and bridges have been built in Romania, which allowed direct access from Paris through Budapest, Belgrade and Sofia to Constantinople. It was 2,900km long way and took 3 days and 3 nights.

Now you can still enjoy similar atmosphere and thoughts of those travellers on several main routes:

• London – Paris – Innsbruck – Venice – Rome
• London – Dresden – Krakow – Venice
• Istanbul – Bucharest – Budapest – Venice
• London – Paris – Frankfurt – Prague – Venice

Enjoy your journey like no other with Orient-Express! For further details see the official website of Orient-Express.

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One thing that makes Stockholm so unique is that the large city is actually comprised of 14 separate islands, connected by a network of bridges. There are currently 50 bridges keeping Stockholm’s different areas within easy reach of each other, and many of these are attractions in their own right.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Mispahn

Despite the fact it is made up of islands, Stockholm has an enviably good public transport network, comprising trains, buses and underground subway trains. You can buy day passes that allow you to get around using any combination of these, as with most major European cities.

The climate in Stockholm is surprisingly mild for a Scandinavian country, though you will find that if you visit in December the days are incredibly short, with only 6 hours of daylight on the shortest day. By contrast, there are 18 hours of daylight at the mid point of summer.

There are so many things to see and do in Stockholm’s many thriving districts that there is certainly something for every traveller. You can check out the historical sights in the old town, or shop and socialise in the trendy districts of Norrmalm and Ostermalm. The nightlife is great, but be aware that drinks are very expensive in Sweden.

Stockholm is a truly great European destination for a city break, and with plenty of transport links and hotels it is easy to find a well priced deal for a trip there.

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Leaning Tower of Pisa was built as a freestanding bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral. However in the beginning, the tower stood uprightly like the majority of bell towers. But because of carelessly made ​​bases and soft soil it started to lean. Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the few cases where thanks to poor work it became popular throughout the world.

The building is approximately 55.9 meters high on the lower side and 56.7 meters on that higher one. To its top you can get by 294 stairs. Construction of the tower began in 1173 and lasted almost 200 years since it was interrupted several times due to the wars with its neighbours (Genoa, Lucca and Florence). Its top with the bells was finished in 1372. However at that time the tower was already inclined, actually since the completion of the first three floors in 1178.

Because the tilt of the tower was constantly increasing and threatening its collapse, the tower was closed to the public in 1990 and rescue works started. In 2001 the tower was finally reopened with the statement that it should be stable at least for the following 300 years.

Although the Leaning tower is the most famous attraction in Pisa, it is not the only one. It stands in a place called Campo dei Miracoli or “Field of Miracles”. We can find here other wonderful architectural gems, such as Duomo, the Baptistery, or monumental cemetery Campo Santo. All the buildings are really beautiful, but in fact, they still attract far less attention than the famous tower.

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