Summer

If you love the sun then this is the ideal time of year to head off to continental Europe. Any country in Europe is beautiful during summer time. The main problem with travelling at this time of year is that the prices tend to be at their highest level. You can get around this by looking for last minute deals or by checking out self-catering holidays. If you choose to go self-catering then the money you save by cooking in your accommodation might be enough for you to make more of your time there and enjoy an unforgettable trip.

Sunset in Sicily, Italy / Photo by admin

Winter

There is a lot to be said for getting away during the coldest months of the year. For a start, if you head off from the north of Europe to the southern part then you will feel a pleasant rise in the temperature once you get there. Apart from that you can usually get hold of cheaper European holidays in winter. Finally, this is a great time for anyone who is interested in seeing some traditional Christmas markets, going skiing or taking lovely strolls around snowy streets while wrapped up in warm clothes.

Spring

The warm weather comes early in places like the Mediterranean coast, so if you want to avoid the really high temperatures and the big crowds then this can be a fantastic time to head to somewhere like Spain or Italy. Prices are often reasonable during the spring season and it is an especially good time to go camping. If you have a look at a specialist site like Keycamp then you will see the variety of things you can in and around a campsite at this time of year.

Autumn

This is when the summer usually starts to die out in places like the UK, but the sun tends to still be shining brightly in more the southerly countries of Europe.  A smart move can be to soak up some sun at home during the summer and then go abroad to places like Berny Riviere in France, Lake Garda in Italy or Catalonia region in Spain to enjoy even more of the good weather when autumn comes knocking. If you hate the thought of the cold weather starting to bite again then this can be a clever way to extend your summer a little bit longer.

Which European country would you really want to go to and on which season would it be best to go there? Share your thoughts!

The post A European Holiday Can Cheer You Up During Any Season appeared first on Europe Explored.

Bray-Dunes, France by aimee daniells

A visit to the North Sea

While the southern beaches are great for those that like to enjoy the sun, do not neglect the North Sea from your route. Here, the weather is not as hot as on the French Riviera, so you can enjoy walking on the shores without fear of getting burned. During the nights, the temperature can get quite cold, so it is best to pack some warmer clothes with your luggage.

Some of the nicest resorts on the north coast are Zuydcoote and Bray-Dunes.

Visiting the English Channel

For families that love the quaint and the quiet part of France, there is no better place to embark on a vacation than the English Channel. Etretat is one of family friendly resorts that you can find in this area, especially known for the white cliffs and the white sand beaches that can be found nearby. Honfleur is a resort ideal for visiting historical places, as the local port and house are filled with history.

Other great family resorts along the English Channel are Perros-Guirrec, Berck on Sea and Granville.

Taking your family on the Atlantic Coast

When you want a bit of action and hotter weather, you can take your family with you on the Atlantic Coast of France. Some of the best known resorts here is Biarritz, a place where celebrities often meet. However, if you do not like the hustle and bustle of the trendiest resorts, you have plenty of others to choose from. Les Sables d’Olonne is famous for its beaches and for its boats.

Biarritz, France by Emmanuel Dyan

La Trinite-sur-Mer and La Baule are also great picturesque resorts where you can take your family.

A trip to the Mediterranean Coast

A great thing about France is that it can offer all kinds of weather, due to its spread from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Here the water is warmer and the weather is sweeter, which makes children really enjoy the many water activities that can be performed in the area.

Great family resorts on the Mediterranean Coast include Valras and Collioure.

Paris

If the beach and its attractions are not enough to complete a great vacation to France, there is always Paris. You cannot go wrong if you take your family on a trip to the famous capital. While seen as a trendy destination, Paris can also be very children friendly, with its Cite des Sciences (with a whole department dedicated exclusively to kids), and Centre Pompidou, with its Galerie des Enfants. The famous French deserts will definitely have your children beg you to stay more.

I am Nadine Myrick from Pass Certification; it gives 100% guaranteed success in your IT Certification Preparation exam. Let’s take benefit of CCDA Certification Preparation Exams material efficiently and get guaranteed success. Check out free demo of all certifications Exam.

The post A Travel Guide to Top Family Resorts in France appeared first on Europe Explored.

Paphos Mediterranean Coast / Anton S.

Ancient History of Cyprus

Humans have lived on Cyprus since the stone age, keeping animals such as cows, goats, and pigs for their milk and meat. The modern city of Lanarca stands on the site of an ancient bronze age city, Kition. Many of Kition’s treasures, including giant pithoi jars and beautifully decorated pottery, are preserved in the Lanarca District Archaelogical Museum. An ancient text describing the Assyrians’ rule over the Cypriots, who were forced to pay steep taxes to their conquerors, was found in this region in 1845. After the Assyrians left in 669 BCE, Cyprus enjoyed just one century of independence before being taken over by first the Egyptians and then the Persians. The Greek king Alexander the Great liberated the island from Persian rule in 325 BCE.

Cyprus and the Greek and Roman Empires

Cypriot culture flourished during the Hellenistic period of Greek rule. A temple to the Greek goddess of love and fertility, Aphrodite, was built just outside the city of Paphos on the south-west coast of the island. This sacred site still attracts many visitors every year, who come to learn about Greek mythology and browse through ancient artifacts in the nearby Palaipafos Museum. In 58 BCE, Cyprus changed hands once again to become part of the Roman Empire. During its time under Roman rule, Christianity became widespread in Cyprus, as evidenced by the large number of churches on the island. The painted churches of Troodos are fantastic examples of the architecture of the Byzantine period, which followed the break-up of the Roman empire.

St Lazarus Church in Larnaca / Martin Belam

Cyprus as a British Protectorate

Britain’s first interaction with Cyprus occurred in 1191, when Richard the Lion Heart landed at Limassol during a storm. After conquering the island, Richard held his wedding to Queen Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol castle. This is the only British royal wedding to have taken place outside of England. Cyprus returned to British control in 1878. Under the protection of the British empire, peace and prosperity reigned in Cyprus – until some groups of Cypriots began demanding independence for their nation, which was finally granted in 1960.

A Divided Nation

A conflict with invading Turkish forces in 1974 resulted in a still-disputed nation in the northern part of the island. Visitors to the capital city of Nicosia can see the border, known as the Green Line, that separates the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from the rest of the island. Nicosia is a fantastic place to visit to experience the island’s long history, since many of the cultures that have ruled Cyprus are represented here. Visitors wandering through old Nicosia will see Ottoman mosques, Venetian city walls, and Roman architecture. A trip to the Byzantine Museum is a must for anyone interested in learning about the island’s culture and religion during this period.

Article brought to you by medwelcome

View The Island of Cyprus and It’s Dramatic History in a larger map

The post The Island of Cyprus and Its Dramatic History appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by jim crossley

Spanish sighs and France’s finest

Spain’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant city, Barcelona is awash with art, culture, sport and music. Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary cathedral that is still being built today, is just one of the enduring symbols of this amazing city. Its other great cathedral is the Nou Camp, the home of Barcelona FC. Hop on one of the city’s tour buses to soak up as much of Barcelona as possible so you can make the most of any stop here.

Considered by many as the jewel of the Med, Palma de Mallorca is a stunning fusion of Roman, Spanish, Catalan, Moorish and contemporary culture. Its mighty cathedral dominates the city centre where cool bars and top-class restaurants are filled nightly with the rich, the famous and the ordinary holidaymaker. Its narrow, cobbled streets are a treat, particularly for shopaholics.

The romantic allure of the French Riviera remains undimmed after decades at the top of every celebrity’s holiday wish list. Nice has stunning beaches and shopping to die for but is also a cultural oasis, too – second only to Paris in the number of museums and art galleries it has. Make time for a stroll and a refreshment on the Promenade des Anglais.

The celeb count is always high in Cannes, too, particularly during its world-famous film festival in May. This once sleepy fishing village is now one of the most glamorous spots in the world and you simply have to perch at a street café by the marina to people watch. Explore the winding streets of the old town and enjoy a spectacular view from the castle ruins at the top.

Africa meets Europe in dazzling fashion in Marseille where the sights and sounds of that continent mingle with French natives, creating a tantalising mix just like the seafood that’s mixed to make this city’s famous fish broth, bouillabaisse. Explore Roman ruins and wander through markets selling local produce and more exotic sights, smells and sounds of North and West Africa.

La dolce vita

Mere words cannot adequately describe Rome, the Eternal City. It’s probably easier simply to list some of its outstanding attractions and give you a hint of why you must make the most of every single moment in this extraordinary place. St Peter’s Square and the Vatican, the Coliseum and Circus Maximus, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps – history is literally around every corner. They say all roads lead to Rome. Make sure you’re on one.

The tiny island of Capri, off the west coast of Italy near Naples, is four square miles of stunning beauty. Take the funicular from the Marina Grande to the main town and enjoy the best Italian coffee at a café while people watching. Capri is renowned for its sky-high prices but sometimes you simply have to splash out!

The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is quite simply art, culture and architectural heaven. Its museums and art galleries are world class, particularly the Galleria degli Uffiz, which is so busy you’ll need to book in advance. Don’t miss the Duomo di Firenze, the city’s enormous cathedral – climb Giotto’s Tower next door for the best view of the cathedral dome.

Balkan beauty

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik’s magnificent city walls and Old Town survived the Balkan conflict and today this Croatian city is one of the must-visit stops on any Mediterranean cruise. Walk the city walls and marvel at the mediaeval fortress; take the cable car to the top of Mount Srd for amazing views over the city and the sparkling Adriatic beyond; and wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town, shopping for bargains.

Greece’s capital, Athens is a sprawling metropolis where the monuments of Ancient Greece nestle alongside the trappings of modern life. The Acropolis and Parthenon remain proud symbols of Greece as the birthplace of modern civilisation, while the Monastiraki district is packed with cafes, restaurants, bars and shops.

Guest post provided by Bon Voyage one of the leading online suppliers of top quality Mediterranean cruises.

The post Mediterranean Ports to Ensure You’re Visiting when Booking a Cruise holiday appeared first on Europe Explored.

Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Barcelona, Spain by Ramon Llorensi

Barcelona is also Europe’s largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast and a home to one of Europe’s principal Mediterranean ports. Barcelona international airport handles approx. 30 million passengers every year.

Barcelona was the 12th-most-visited city in the world and 4th most visited in Europe after London, Paris and Rome. It is in addition the most popular tourist destination in Spain (receiving above 5 million tourists every year). Barcelona is the 4th richest city by GDP in the European Union (after London, Paris and Madrid).

Barcelona was probably founded by the Carthaginians and later became a Roman colony of Barcino. The city became famous mainly for its remarkable architecture, but Summer Olympic Games in 1992 promoted the city much more. The popularity and the huge attendance certainly also contributes to the fact that it lies at sea. A lot of people are coming here from nearby France.

Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain by WikiMapa

Most remarkable symbol of the city is the cathedral Sagrada Familia designed by the famous architect Antonio Gaudí. Its construction began in 1884 and is still not finished. Meanwhile Gaudí died in 1926 and the following construction is already not according to his original plan. The huge building with twelve towers became the most admired place of Barcelona. Construction is funded by donations and is progressing quite slowly. It is planned that could be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of the death of Antonio Gaudí. But whether it actually happens, it is not entirely certain.

But the cathedral is not the only signature of Gaudí in Barcelona. Among his other major works are the Park Güell with Gaudi Museum, the Palau Güell palace, quite controversial building La Pedrera (or Casa Milà) and Casa Batlló. Many of Gaudí’s work at the time of its inception, were considered ugly, but today, however, they are most popular sights of Barcelona. They are also registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List (some of them since 1984, but more were added later in 2005).

The city gave to the world and especially to itself yet another famous architect – Lluís Domenech i Montaner. In Barcelona he designed a building of Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, that was constructed between 1901 and 1930, and the Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) from 1905 – 1908. Both buildings have also been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997.

Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain by Alberto Carrasco Casado

But Barcelona does not offer only modern architecture. The city boasts plenty of Gothic monuments, and even has a Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), forming the basis of the Old Town. The area also contains the walls from Roman times or other non-gothic buildings. Walking through the old streets is really a great experience. Gothic Quarter is dominated by the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia.

In addition there is a huge variety of museums, galleries and cultural booths in Barcelona. There are many sports facilities, some of which hosted major sporting events (e.g. Olympic Games), two large football stadiums, or racing circuit for MotoGP World Championship and Formula I.

Barcelona is a live city at all (in terms of traffic intensity sometimes even too live…), full of culture, art and all sorts of activities.

Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral, Barcelona, Spain by Ferran Pestaña

Top sights to see in Barcelona

• Sagrada Família, the international symbol of Barcelona – still unfinished church
• Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau
• Park Güell
• Palau Güell
• Casa Milà
• Casa Vicens
• Casa Batlló
• Crypt in Colonia Güell
• The Cathedral of St. Eulalia
• Church of Santa Maria del Mar
• Gothic church of Santa Maria del Pi
• Church of Sant Pau del Camp
• Palau Reial Major
• The Columbus Monument
• Forum Building
• The Arc de Triomf, a triumphal arch built in 1888

The post Top sights to see in Barcelona – most visited city in Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo by admin

In 1987, the rock was declared a nature reserve and the smallest protected area in Europe, because it covers an area of ​​4,5 square kilometers. There is a number of endemic species of plant and animals such as sea gulls and falcons.

Peñón de Ifach is a distinct visual attraction on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a height of 332 metres.

View Penyal D’ifac in Spain in a larger map

The post Penyal D’ifac – the smallest protected area in Europe | Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.