Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Florin Chelaru

The complex was built in the early 11th century, and was known also as Amras or Omras. Thus, long before the nearby Innsbruck became a city, Ambras Castle was known as a centre of the region. But the original castle has been totally destroyed in 1133.

Some parts of the castle were repaired and later, in 1580, was rebuilt into Renaissance chateau by Prince Ferdinand.

Photo by khm.at

There is a minibus running from the city centre to the castle every half an hour. In the Ambras castle you can see the collection of armor and weapons of Ferdinand II. In the summer months, the castle holds known, very popular Festival of Early Music. Management of the castle emphasis on attracting families with children. Countless surveys made especially for children with the first-class programs will show and describe a world of knights to all young visitors. In the courtyard, the adjacent park or in the surrounding forests you can find lots of benches for rest. All the trails around are accessible also with prams. There is a number of tame squirrels in the park which can be a special attraction for children.

The castle is opened daily from 10am to 5pm and the basic adult ticket costs €10. For further information visit https://www.khm.at/en/plan-your-visit/ambras-castle/

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Victor Sounds

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park was founded in 2005 by combining Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park and Ylläs-Aakenus Nature Reserve. It consists of peat bogs, which are surrounded by forests. It is an untouched corner of our planet and is breathtaking to see it with the northern lights (aurora). The local countryside is really beautiful. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is also very popular in winter, there are ideal conditions for cross-country skiing. The highest peak in the park is Taivaskero, which reaches an altitude of 807 meters above sea level.

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is crossed with a series of marked hiking trails with a total length of 350km. They are suitable both for hiking or cross-country skiing. There are several log huts in the area of the park, where you can rest or even stay for a night. However staying here is not free. The park is home to reindeer.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Victor Sounds

Already mentioned Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park was the first national park in Finland, founded already in 1938. The park was established to protect unique parts of forestless highland areas, which stretch through the forests of Lapland. Finnish national parks are golden treasures of Finland and are waiting for each tourist with open arms.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Amanda Slater

The royal family had subsequently rebuilt it into their rural retreat with the area of an impressive 800 hectares. The seat is surrounded by vast plots of land with extensive gardens, parks, forests, but also reserves with animals. Today, there are various social events and tours for the public to fully excite the whole family. Children can play in one of many play-grounds, while parents certainly enjoy a beautiful pass through the interior and exterior of the luxury palace.

Osborne House is a good example of traditional British relations, which may seem a little too formal, but on the other hand, for many can be nice and slick.

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The first mention of the original village dates back to the 12th century. Most of the monuments in this city, as well as throughout Luxembourg, were bombed during the war.

The village is now a popular summer resort with a swimming pool, camping and a youth hostel. You can follow any of the numerous trails which lead you through the forests of the Mullerthal valley.

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To get to the waterfall you can use wooden walkways, which is suitable also for cyclists or families with prams. The waterfall is a part of the Hepoköngäs Nature Reserve. At present, the waterfall Hepoköngäs is very popular tourist destination in Finland.

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Nigula Nature Reserve has a rich fauna and flora. There are rare plants here. Nigula Nature Reserve is also home to Europe’s protected and not very abundant carnivores such as bear, wolf and lynx and to big game animals such as elk, roe deer, red deer, wild boar. The area is also an important bird sanctuary. In 2000, the Nigula Nature Reserve was added to the group of Natura 2000 (the largest network of protected areas in the world).

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Biebrzański National Park is situated on an area where is a large representation of wetlands and swamps. They are also its main attraction. Biebrzański National Park is largely composed of forests, mostly deciduous. The rest of the area is occupied with already mentioned bogs and wetlands.

Biebrzański National Park is very rich in the representation of different organisms. It is a paradise for all kinds of water birds. One of them, the Ruff, even got into the character of the park. You can meet here also a beaver or moose. There are also various mosses and lichens.

The northeastern boundary of the park is near the Belarus.

Biebrzański National Park was founded on 9th September 1993 as one of 23 Polish national parks. In 1995 it was added to the list of The Ramsar Convention (The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat). The most important part of the Park is Red Marsh, which is under strict protection.

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Hochosterwitz castle is very old. It was first mentioned as early as the 860th. The castle was heavily damaged by frequent incursions of Turkish troops at the turn of the 16th and 17th century. In 1541 it was a site of of Emperor Ferdinand I. Later in 1571, it was bought by Baron George Khevenhüller. Since then the owners of the castle is still the Khevenhüller family. Under their rule in 1570-1586 the castle was extended to large fortification system, which was at that time quite unique in its scope.

The access road is over 600 meters long and you have to pass through 14 gates. According to the legend, Hochosterwitz castle has never been conquered. Inside the castle there is a chapel with wall paintings or the tank of water 13 meters deep. In the interior there is a museum exhibition and a restaurant.

Hochosterwitz castle is privately owned but it is open to the public in the period from Easter to October.

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Gauja National Park was established on 14 September 1973 and is therefore the oldest national park in Latvia. The area was formerly sometimes known as the “Livonian Switzerland” and tourists started to visit this area in the 19th century.

The territory of the Gauja NP contains more than 500 monuments of history and culture – castle mounds, castles, churches, manors, water and windmills as well as numerous archaeological and art monuments.

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Steep cliffs are covered with forests, and the geological bedrock (granite) affects both the landscape and vegetation. There are two castles at the borders of the national park, Burg Hardegg and ruined castle Kaja. You can find there about half of all plant species originating from Austria.

Animal World is so prominent and contains a large number of very rare species of vertebrates. In terms of sport, cycling and hiking are popular activities in the park.

At the Czech side there is one of the most beautiful water reservoir called Vranov. In the case of bad weather you can visit nice city of Znojmo and test the Czech wine.

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