Swiss Alps by Artur Staszewski

Of course outdoor sports are the main draw of the Alps. With more than two million skiers and snowboarders visiting every year, it is safe to say that the Alps is the Mecca for snow sports. With cities such as Chamonix situated on the French border and Cortina d’Ampezzo situated on the Italian border, the Alps boasts an impressive range of culture with four different dialects spoken at different points along its length.

Apart from sports, the Alps has impressive spas and health clubs dotted all over the range from St Moritz to Morillon. As some of the Spas double up as hotels, these health resorts are perfect for a quiet getaway with a loved one, with time to relax and enjoy each other’s company. With some of the most impressive and newest treatments on the market, a few days in a spa with nothing but fresh mountain air and impressive surroundings will surely give you and your other half some well-deserved peace of mind.

Cimon della Pala, Dolomites, Italy by rachel_thecat

Not only are there spas and health resorts to visit, the Alps boasts an impressive range of cuisine. Depending on where you are situated, the food may vary. However, generally you should find it easy to find some classy eateries to visit with foods ranging from Italian to French and Swiss. Let your taste buds dance with excitement as you try something new and let loose.

As seasons change around the mountains, so picking the perfect time to go all depends on your personal choice. As summer is usually only three or four months long, the Alps is more often than not a haven for people who prefer the cold to the heat. That said, the summer months are gorgeous, experiencing highs of 27-30 degrees, and really the Alps are beautiful all year round. Make sure that you research the seasons before you fly so you can build a trip around you and your other half’s personal preferences.

Muriel Fish is planning a summer trip to the Alps this year and has been looking for accommodation at alpsaccommodation.com.

The post Why The Alps Present A Perfect Getaway appeared first on Best of European Union.

This group I’m talking about are those who love to drive, petrolheads to be more precise. Blasting around the continent is their idea of a dream getaway to enjoy some routes through mountain ranges, valleys and other beautiful scenery and also what Europe has to give them in terms of demanding roads.

Even individuals with a ‘rep mobile’ and a European fuel card would enjoy such a trip and although it would be an advantage to take a car that matched the roads, having pretty much any modern car will still be enjoyable.

The following is a small selection of such routes to take that span over a few of Europe’s most break-taking countries.

Nufenen Pass, Switzerland by Andrew and Annemarie

Nufenen Pass

Situated just inside Switzerland and just short of the Italian border is the Nufenen Pass, one of the less used passes in the vicinity, but one of the most enjoyable and testing when it comes to the road ahead.

Going through a mountain range, you’ll experience a smooth, quiet road that gradually ascends through tight 180 degree turns as the range becomes more demanding. For your efforts, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular lake at the peak where it can pay to make a stop and take it in.

Ruhestein to Oppenau

Sticking with mountain routes, Germany’s Black Forest offers various enthralling driving experiences, with one particular drive in the west between the towns of Ruhestein and Oppeneau.

This route is another great place to enjoy a drive with minimal traffic, whilst being able to race through the various easier corners and test your skills in the more challenging hair-pins. It can get quite steep at times, but offers much better scenery than the Nufenen Pass.

Taking a short cut will allow you to see Lutenbach Falls which is the highlight spectacle during the trip, with the views getting better and better as you get higher within the range.

Stelvio Pass by Kylie & Rob (and Helen)

The Stelvio Pass

One of the more famous routes to take for driving enthusiasts in Europe is the Stelvio Pass, which runs along the border between Switzerland and Italy and is one of the most demanding roads on the continent.

Hair-pin after hair-pin, the pass will invigorate the most experienced drivers, whilst showing a keen beginner what a real road is and will test their perseverance as they either descend or ascend the route that wraps itself around the mountainous geography.

Stelvio as a town has a few hotels to stop at if you want to explore the area further, with many different roads that will offer anybody with the slightest hint of petrol (or diesel) in their blood.

Like I say this is just a small selection of what’s possible and it can be a great way of tying together one large trip, for example, a trip down Route Napoleon could end up on the French Riviera and the likes of Nice or Monaco.

Of course it can be quite expensive to do such a break, but saving some money for the inevitable amounts of fuel you’ll need and some accommodation, it will be entirely worth it if you enjoy your driving.

About the author: Sam writes for European Fuel Cards who offer businesses diesel fuel cards for refuelling in and across Europe. 

The post The Best Driving Roads in Europe appeared first on Best of European Union.

Trieste City Hall, Italy by Twice25 & Rinina25

Today, Trieste is a popular tourist destination. There are a number of monuments in the city which attracts thousands of visitors every single year. The most notable of these is the Roman amphitheater that can be found in Trieste. There are many other Roman Era monuments spread out throughout the city. There are also a number of churches, temples and synagogues in the city.

On a nearby hill you will find the San Giusto Castle. Today part of the castle is open to the public who wishes to see its collections. The castle today is a museum which houses a number of historical weapons. The area immediately surrounding the castle is the main fair grounds for Trieste and most of the fairs and festivals in the city occur around the San Giusto Castle.

There is also another castle in Trieste known as Miramare which was built in the early 19th century by Archduke Maximilian. Miramare Castle features many parks and gardens which were actually designed by the Archduke. You will find that there is a museum inside the castle which is a very popular destination. Not too far from the Miramare Castle you will find the International Center for Theoretical Physics. The area is known locally as Castle Park and is home to many of the city’s institutions for higher learning.

The post Trieste – wind city on the Italian borders appeared first on Best of European Union.