Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Getting There

Europa Park is situated close to the A5 Autobahn 39 km north of Freiburg. It is a hassle free drive from the channel ports but if you wish to fly the park can be accessed from Basle and Karlsruhe airports both of which have shuttle buses to the park. Europa Park has a dedicated exit from the motorway and plenty of parking and so you will rarely be delayed on arrival in the area.

Layout

The park is ranged in areas themed on European countries and is beautifully landscaped. Each area features rides, attractions, restaurants and shops with something to please everyone in the family. The food is generally excellent, an uncommon occurrence in theme parks, and prices are surprising low for the quality of the food. There are plenty of places to relax and watch the world go by and a scenic lake in the centre of the park affords the opportunity for a pleasant walk when the rides have become too much!

Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Highlights

There is truly something for everyone at Europa Park. If you want peace and tranquillity you can explore gorgeous gardens with dancing fountains, beautiful woodlands or take a spin around the lake. There is an area dedicated to rides and attractions for small children and family favourites like the log flume and Fjord Rafting.  Serious roller coaster enthusiasts should check out the magnificent steel coaster Silver Star, the launch coaster Blue Fire and the incredible new woodie, Wodan which has the best queue line ever! If that is not enough thrills then there is also a bob sleigh ride, a coaster in the dark and the Matterhorn Blitz, a wild mouse ride with a unique twist at the start. Finally you will not believe Poseidon a visually stunning ride which is a roller coaster and water ride all in one. The best thing of all is that this park runs with relentless efficiency. The queues move quickly and the rides never seem to break down.

Accommodation

You will need more than one day to experience all of the attractions on offer and so an overnight stay will be required. Europa Park offers 5 beautiful themed hotels on site. The newest option is the Bell Rock hotel a masterpiece of New England styling with rooms that feature real wooden floors, oak furnishings and beds for children in the shape of boats. All of the hotels offer excellent dining, bars and entertainment. If the on-site hotels are beyond your budget there are numerous privately run local hotels which are very reasonably priced and are walking distance from the park.

Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Give it a try!

If you like theme parks and you haven’t visited Europe Park then give this place a try. I know of no other park which is run so well and offers such a fantastic range of attractions for everyone to enjoy. The hotels are superb and the prices very reasonable, there really isn’t a reason not to go.

Sally Stacey is an enthusiatic blogger and theme park fan currently writing on behalf of National Furniture who supllied the fantastic oak furnishings for her new bedroom inspired by the Bell Rock Hotel.

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If you need relax after hiking or skiing in the High Tatras National Park, or in Slovak Paradise National Park aquapark is a great opportunity. Adults can enjoy the various types of water massage and if you come with the kids, they can try a construction surrounded by twenty fun pools. This attraction is called Mayan pyramid. But beware, those attractions are open only during the summer. Aquapark Poprad is a great place for those who have a sense of humor and taste for a swim.

Aquacity Poprad, Slovakia

AquaCity is also a paradise of warm, geothermal swimming and relaxation pools with water slides, with light and sound effects and laser shows. You can also use the Vitality spa complex world with relaxation rooms, saunas, solarium and snow caves which are great just after sauna. Here you can order a traditional massage, a relaxing herbal massage, reflexology massage, chocolate massage, honey massage, hot stones, lymphatic drainage, yogurt massage, massage with green apple, anti-cellulite massage, Indian massage, Bioptron Light Therapy or peat wrap.

The complex includes three-star hotel AquaCity Seasons and four-star hotel Mountain View with a room overlooking the High Tatras mountains. Hotels offer quality accommodation at very good price. Water parks, resorts and hotels are equipped with a fitness centre, bars, restaurants and extensive business and conference facilities.

Thermal pool, Aquacity Poprad, Slovakia

AquaCity is suitable for families, couples, groups, friends, athletes and business partners on the day, weekend or longer holiday stays.

AquaCity Poprad is open daily from 9am to 10pm. There are several levels of admission fees so it is better to check Aquacity Poprad official website for further information.

Pictures were taken from aquacityresort.com.

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Parque Warner Madrid, Spain by Jeremy Thompson

Parque Warner Madrid is suitable for all ages. It is divided into themed worlds, according to Hollywood models. You can find here DC Superhéroes World (become your favourite superhero for a few hours), Cartoon Village (meet your favourite characters in mad situations), Old West Territory (stroll down the dusty streets of the Old West), Hollywood Boulevard (Take a stroll down the magical streets of Hollywood) and Warner Bros. Studios (a real movie set with real live action).

The perfect solution for the lovers of adrenaline is the Super Heroes World. The smallest visitors will love the Cartoon Village. Among the most popular attractions is the roller coaster “Superman: la Atracción de Acero”, which has 7 inversions and is 50 meters high. Furthermore, there are other roller coasters “Batman La Fuga” with 5 inversions and “Stunt Fall” with 3 inversions.

Very interesting is also a wooden roller coaster “Coaster Express” which is located in the section of the park called “Old West Territory” (formerly known as the “Wild Wild West”). If you like free fall you should try “La Venganza del Enigma”. The three water rides belong to the best one in the category.

Parque Warner Madrid is open from early March to December, but opening hours vary, so it is best to check Parque Warner Madrid official website before visiting the park. The basic daily admission fee is 38,00 €.

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Lago di Garda, Italy by Elliott Brown

Beauty hurts, or is more expensive than the sea
Lago di Garda enjoys a large tourist popularity. This corresponds to a number of first-class hotels and guesthouses. With the mark of prestige, prices are higher here than in other Italian resorts (apartments for around €20, campings for €10).

Even lake queen would not have to be ashamed of the lake – 346 meters depth is really impressive. Glacier Lake Garda was founded thanks to the global warming about 10 thousand years ago. Receding Alpine glaciers created this beautiful water world. The upper part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by great rock massifs. Towards the south, the lake opens up and allows visitors easier access. The lake lies at an altitude of 65 meters. Its maximum depth is 346 meters and if you would like to walk it all around, you have to prepare to about 160 kilometre-long way.

The right place for more demanding tourists and adventure lovers is the northern part of Lake Garda. Biking, hiking, rock climbing is just a fraction of what the area offers. Lake Garda is ideal for active holidays. You find here hundreds of kilometres of marked cycling and hiking trails that lead deep into the mountains, on the water you can enjoy boating, scooters or just play a beach volleyball.

Lago di Garda Italy by Robert Wirrmann

If you decide to go on a proper mountain hike, do not forget the map. It can be obtained in tourist centers or hotels. Losing here is really not hard at all. The ideal starting point for tours is the town of Riva del Garda, where you can go either west or east. The western side offers steep rock walls, suitable more for hiking. The eastern hills are a paradise for passionate cyclists. (You can rent bikes and all the amenities from some of many rental services here, but prices are often quite high).

In addition to alpine tours and resting at blue lake you can also go for culture or rich night life, which is characteristic for Italy and its inhabitants. Visit a town of Riva del Garda. This place is ideal for lovers of history.

Lake Garda, Italy by Marjolein Knuit

In the southern part of the lake, you can visit a spa town Sirmione, known as the “Pearl of Lake Garda.” The Romans built here two castles, ports, and a whopping villa of Grotte di Catullo. On the ruins of one of the ports you can now visit the castle Scaligeri Rocca, which is one of the landmarks of Sirmione.

Glacier Lake Garda is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is suitable for everybody – hikers, adventurers, historians…

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Disneyland Paris comprises two theme parks:

Disneyland® Park
In a Magical Kingdom not so far away – somewhere between a place where you wish upon a star and dreams come true – classic Disney heroes and heroines live once upon a time in fairytales that are, happily, never ending.

Walt Disney Studios® Park
Right next door to Disneyland Park you can discover the magical world of cinema and television at Walt Disney Studios Park – 4 cinemagical ‘lots’, featuring thrilling attractions and spectacular shows with your dreams centre-stage.

View Disneyland Paris – France’s and Europe’s most visited tourist attraction in a larger map

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