Harz National Park – one of the most visited places in Germany

Claire — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:43:34 +0000

Harz National Park known in German as Nationalparkverwaltung Harz is located at the border of three provinces in central Germany. The National Park is mostly forested – Upper Harz is covered by coniferous forests, Lower Harz, on the contrary, mostly by deciduous forests (originally the area was divided into two national parks). Above the upper limit of the forest, at an altitude of about 1100 meters above sea level, you can see scree, alpine meadows and bogs. Harz National park has been established in 2006 and covers an area of 247 square kilometres.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Sebastian Fuss

Once planning your trip to Harz National Park, beware of the cooler and rainy mountains – although this is not a high mountain range, but due to its geographical location is under constant onslaught of moist ocean air from the North Sea. Local climate is therefore similar to high mountains, reaching the altitude of about 2,000 metres above sea level. Be also prepared for a huge number of tourists, Harz National Park is one of the most visited places in Germany.

Among the most beautiful places to visit are Rübeland cave, the highest peak of national park – Brocken (1,141 m) which is also the highest peak of Northern Germany, Hohneklippen crags, Eckerstausee lake, Falkenstein Castle, Harzgerode Castle, hill top resort of Sankt Andreasberg, or saltwater spa and climatic health resort of Bad Harzburg.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Mike Jentsch

The management of national park: Nationalparkverwaltung Harz, Lindenallee 35, D 38855 Wernigerode, Deutschland
Official Website: nationalpark-harz.de

View Harz National Park – one of the most visited places in Germany in a larger map

The post Harz National Park – one of the most visited places in Germany appeared first on Europe Explored.

Veliko Tărnovo – historical symbol of Bulgaria

Claire — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:50:46 +0000

If you are planning your trip to Bulgaria, you shouldn’t miss historic symbol of Bulgaria – medieval town Veliko Tărnovo. The town is located on the Yantra River and is known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. It is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria, having a history of more than 5 thousands years.

The combination of geographical location, natural scenery and historical landmarks makes Veliko Tărnovo to be historically and architecturally one of the most important towns in Europe.

The first thing a visitor of Veliko Tărnovo will notice is the dominating feature of the city – a high rocky hill Carevec, surrounded by a massive medieval walls. The area is connected to the outside only by a narrow bridge and hide the ruins of Czar’s palaces and churches.

Steep slopes below the walls are several hundred meters deep. All the impressive scenery is completed with thousands of small houses from the 18th and 19th century, which, from the distance, look like they were built one above the other.

With a beautiful view of the city would be satisfied also the tourists who have no idea how many historical events took place in the context of European history.

View Veliko Tărnovo – historical symbol of Bulgaria in a larger map

The post Veliko Tărnovo – historical symbol of Bulgaria appeared first on Europe Explored.

Europe Explored » geographical location

Harz National Park – one of the most visited places in Germany

Veliko Tărnovo – historical symbol of Bulgaria