The Vatican City – The Smallest Country in Europe

The Vatican City – The Smallest Country In Europe

The Vatican City – The Smallest Country In Europe

It might surprise you to learn that the smallest country in Europe is no bigger than 110 acres (0.2 square miles) with a population of just over 800 people. This is The Vatican City, a landlocked sovereign state which is located in Rome. This is the official smallest country in Europe, and is so small in fact that many of us would not think it was a country at all to look at.

The Vatican City – the smallest country in Europe – was established by the ‘Lateran Treaty’ in 1929 and is where the Pope resides. Despite being the smallest country in Europe, The Vatican City is nevertheless a popular tourist attraction and has many things to see and do. Of course many people will travel to see the Pope and it is a common pilgrimage as the centre of Catholicism. Meanwhile though, many others will travel to The Vatican City in order to admire St Peter’s Square and Basilica. The square also contains an Obelisk taken from Heliopolis, Egypt, as well as a fountain.

Exploring the Basilica is a highly interesting experience and there is a lot of fantastic architecture on display, while the interior is filled with statues and other items. It is possible also to travel to the top of the Basilica’s dome by heading up hundreds of stairs, which will afford you a fantastic view over all of the smallest country in Europe as well as wider Rome.

The Smallest Country In Europe

The Smallest Country In Europe

Another great thing to see when visiting The Vatican City, the smallest country in Europe, is the Vatican museum. This is a huge museum that has a vast range of religious paintings, statues and sculptures. It’s here that you can see the Sistine Chapel with Michaelangelo’s greatest works including the creation of Adam. A great way to make the most of your trip is to visit the museum in the evening (you can book online) which creates a more scenic and romantic experience.

For the next smallest country in Europe, you’ll need to visit Monaco – which is just 0.75 square miles across. This is closely followed by San Marion (24 square miles), Liechtenstein (62 square miles), Malta (122 square miles) and then Andorra (180 square miles).

Posted under Europe, Travel

This post was written by admin on May 28, 2011

Tags: ,

Visiting Poland in Europe

Visiting Poland In Europe

Visiting Poland In Europe

Visiting Poland in Europe is a really exciting taste of Eastern Europe with plenty to see and do. Poland is a country with a rich and interesting history, and which has a great culture and lots to do. If you hadn’t previously considered it as a great place to visit, then now is the time to put it on your list. Here we will look at just how to get the most of visiting Poland in Europe and just why it’s such a fantastic trip to embark on.

When you visit Poland you visit somewhere that has it’s own national identity and that is only just receiving a bit more tourism. As such you need to be prepared for everyone to speak Polish and to have to mumble your way through – it’s definitely worth taking a book of translations. This though is part of the fun, and as everyone is so friendly it really just adds to the adventure.  Poland in Europe is also one of the countries that thus far has not changed its currency to the Euro, and that means you’ll have to change your cash to Zloty before you head out there. The great news though about Poland in Europe is that things are very cheap, and you can get a full three course meal for the equivalent of around $7.

This cheap cost of living adds to the fact that Poland in Europe has one of the best nightlifes in Europe. Everything is cheap and everyone is friendly, and at the same time the venues are highly exciting and atmospheric. For the best night out in Poland in Europe, visit Krakow. Here all of the clubs are located underground and this makes it a completely unique experience.

There’s plenty else to do in Poland in Europe in too though, all of which will offer you an equally as exciting trip and whether you like scenery, history, tourist attractions or anything else there is plenty there for you. Some of the top sites in Poland in Europe are:

The Tatra Mountains: Visit Zakopane in order to experience the fantastic Tatra mountains which offer highly peaceful walks and some beautiful panoramic views. If you’re into skiing then this is the spot of Poland in Europe for you too.

Polish Fans

Polish Fans

Auschwitz: Auschwitz is the site of one of the most terrible atrocities in human history, and this makes it a highly important landmark to visit. There are also plenty of talks and tours that can help to fill you in on your history.

The Salt Mines: The salt mines are another big attraction for Poland in Europe, providing crystal-like salt sculptures that feel like you’re in a fantasy film. It’s also a rare chance to go so deep underground.

Warsaw: Finally, you can’t visit Poland in Europe without seeing it’s capital city and all it has to offer.

Posted under Europe, Travel

This post was written by admin on May 15, 2011

Tags:

Reasons to Visit Europe

Reasons To Visit Europe

Reasons To Visit Europe

If you’ve been thinking of visiting Europe then there are plenty of reasons you might have been considering it and if you haven’t gone already then there are a whole host of reasons why you should make visiting soon one of your top priorities. Here we will look at some reasons to visit Europe and what the continent has to offer.

 

Varied

 

First of all, Europe offers great variation meaning that no matter what it is that you want to see, you can get it in Europe. Snowy mountains? Why not check out Zakopane or the Swiss Alps. Historical cities? Athens or Rome are there for you. Warm beaches? Portugal or Spain. There’s also a vast range of cultures and people in Turkey act completely differently to people in Romania for instance meaning you can experience lots of ways of life by visiting the continent.

 

Famous

 

Much of Europe is renowned across the rest of the world and this is one of the great reasons to visit Europe too, so that you can experience first hand some of the sites and sounds that you will have encountered in the media and read about in books – the Eiffel Tower, The Vatican City and many other wonders.

 

Tourism-Friendly

 

Europe is also very tourist-friendly and this is one of the big reasons to visit Europe. Because it’s used to generating income from tourism, many of the resorts bend over backwards to accommodate holiday makers. This is particularly true of holiday spots in Greece, Spain and Turkey, but it’s also the case in many of the cities with the famous historical landmarks. You can also try a vast range of foods out in Europe and here’s one of the most varied and delicious continents there is for cuisine.

 

Historical

 

If you’re interested at all in history then you should find there are countless reasons to visit Europe – whether it’s to see the Coliseum, to see Big Ben, or to see Mt Olympus. This is a region rich with history and there’s never a shortage of stories and tales for each place. And the great news? There’s more history happening all the time…

Why Europe, you ask ?

Why Europe, you ask ?

 

Practical

 

As we’ve mentioned already there are a vast range of cultures, climates and scenery when you visit Europe. However while this makes a great adventure, things aren’t so different as to make life very difficult for travelers and you’ll still find many English speakers as well as lots of familiar chains and services. This isn’t like trekking to Africa or heading to the North Pole, this is all the excitement but with all the creature comforts you’re used to still available which is one of the most common reasons to visit Europe.

Posted under Europe, Travel

This post was written by admin on May 3, 2011

Tags:

Choosing European Airlines

Choosing European Airlines

Choosing European Airlines

If you are flying to or within Europe then you will of course require to book a flight with one of several European airlines. The European airlines you select will then dictate many things about your journey – the duration, the cost, the food available, the entertainment and much more – and so choosing the European airlines you are going to use is an important way to make sure you find the service that will best suit your needs. The flight is the first and last part of your holiday – it is what will set the mood for the rest of your stay on the continent and it is the last thing that will stick in your mind once you’re back.

To select your European airlines often you will use either a travel agents, or an online holiday website like Expedia. From here you will select your destination and your dates and the hotel and you will be given some package deals to select from as a result. These package deals will include the European airlines and this is one of the things that will effect the price.

One tip to remember is that you shouldn’t yet book your holiday at this point – as in some cases booking the elements of your holiday separately can actually be less expensive than going for a package deal – or get it for the same price but with better European airlines. Look up ‘cheap flights to…’ and include your destination by searching in Google and then look at the European airlines there. It may be that some European airlines keep their costs down by not going on websites like Expedia that take a commission.

Now once you have all of the information you will need to choose the best European airlines for you. Of course if you have a set budget then this might limit your choice a little, but otherwise you can pick between a cheap flight or a more luxurious one. Cheap European airlines include things like FlyBe, Alitalia and Ryan Air, while the more luxurious options include European airlines like Virgin Atlantic. While FlyBe will offer just the very basics, Virgin will offer things like a large selection of films, free comfort bags and more leg space. Also it is important to bear in mind that with some European airlines you might risk paying hidden costs – things like check-in fees or higher baggage fees; so read the small print and find out exactly what you are paying for. At the same time – even among the cheaper European airlines some are more comfortable than others (Alitalia is far superior to RyanAir for instance) so it’s a good idea to read the reviews online first.

Europes Airlines

Europes Airlines

Finally bear in mind that there are ways to make the journey more expensive or less expensive regardless of your European airlines. For instance getting a transfer flight that takes you via another destination will drastically reduce costs, while choosing to go business class will of course cost you a lot more. Take time and effort choosing your European airlines – it could just make or break your holiday.

Posted under Europe, Travel

This post was written by admin on April 20, 2011

Tags: ,

A Guide to Visiting England in Europe

A Guide to Visiting England in Europe

A Guide to Visiting England in Europe

There are many great countries to visit in Europe, and any of them offers a unique experience with lots to see and do. Here we’ll look at visiting England in Europe, and give you a quick guide to what it’s like, what to do, and what to expect.

Of course when you visit England in Europe you need to decide which part of the country you want to visit. Here there are lots of options, but your decision will drastically effect your experience. Of the many places to go in England in Europe, some popular options are Brighton, Bristol, Bournemouth, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Cornwall and of course London. Of these Brighton, Bristol and Bournemouth will give you an experience of seaside towns and you can expect slightly better weather and the chance to visit the beach. Meanwhile Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester are big industrial cities (honorable mention should also go to Birmingham), while London is the capital and boasts all of the most famous sites.

If you travel to England in Europe then you can expect to meet a lot of English people of course. While everyone is different regardless of their nationality, there are definitely national ‘traits’ and tendencies. Expect the English to be very quiet and reserved and generally polite, though there is also a big drinking and pub culture and the streets in the larger cities can become quite ‘rowdy’ at night meaning it’s not always entirely safe to walk through built up areas at pub closing time.

This pub culture however is a big part of visiting England in Europe and when you’re there you should definitely take the time to visit a pub, get a pub lunch, and to try some beer. The cuisine in England mostly comes from this and to try some of the local grub you should order yourself pie and chips, cottage pie, a roast dinner or a fry up. However because of the large number of immigrants in the larger cities you can also sample a lot of other cuisines while in England in Europe and Curry and Italian restaurants are very common.

Tips are not usually included in the bill bear in mind and it’s expected that you will tip then 10% of the overall price. You should also tip taxi drivers, but generally no other services. Remember that England still uses the British pound and not the Euro, and that one dollar is roughly equal to sixty pence.

There are lots of great things to see and do in England in Europe and these include the large sites in London such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column etc. There are also lots of other activities scattered around the country such as theme parks like Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, or other days out such as Longleat, The London Dungeons (highly recommended), or Splashdown. Hopefully this quick overview of visiting England in Europe should entice and prepare you for visiting, but be sure to do more research into the precise area you’ll be visiting in order to get the very best experience.

Posted under Europe, Travel

This post was written by admin on March 21, 2011

Tags: , ,

Getting the Most From Euro Disney

Euro Disney

Euro Disney

If you’re looking for family fun in Europe, then look no further than Euro Disney. Euro Disney is a theme park/resort in Paris that features hundreds of recognisable characters, elaborate animatronics, shops, restaurants, thrill rides, decorated streets, playgrounds and more for people of all ages to enjoy. For anyone choosing to visit Euro Disney a great day out is promised and in fact there’s enough to do to last several days if you decide to stay. Here we’ll look at how to get the most from your Euro Disney trip and to ensure that you don’t miss any of the major attractions.

When you visit Euro Disney, the first decision you need to make is whether you are going to stay in the resort and there are many themed hotels in the area if you choose to stay there. These are great fun for children, and for groups of young people to meet each other and mingle. At the same time by staying in the Euro Disney resort you will be able to get up early and be the first on all the rides and thus avoid some of the more devastating queues. However it is of course a significant amount of extra money and there are plenty of places to stay very cheaply that all offer shuttle buses to the park.

When you arrive there are two parks to choose from and it is recommended that you get tickets for both to get the most out of your stay (just one park will likely not provide you with more than a day’s worth of things to do). You will also need to face some of the aforementioned queues, so it’s imperative to decide which major rides you want to go on early on. The queues for these will be shorter in the morning and in the evening, so if you get the major ones like Space Mountain (now Space Mountain II), Aerosmith and the Tower of Terror out the way early on then you can tick them off your list and these are great worthwhile rides to check out (but maybe not suitable for youngsters). If you also get a queue jump you can avoid the queue by going away and coming back once the queue has died down.

The reason you should get the majority of these out the way is that you don’t want to spend the day queueing or feeling like you’re ‘missing out’. If you see just a few early on or book yourself in to see them, you can enjoy the rest of Euro Disney at a more leisurely pace without pressure and this is a much more pleasant approach to take. Try walking around the Tree House, getting lunch or looking at the Dragon in the Castle and generally enjoy the atmosphere during the busiest hours. Then – when the park begins to close, you’ve find you can quickly run around and have second goes on many of the larger rides.

The secret to enjoying Euro Disney is not to let a few big rides rule the day or spend hours queueing, but rather to feel the fun of the place, to eat meals, to get lots of photos and to just admire the atmosphere.

Posted under Europe, Travel

This post was written by admin on March 1, 2011

Tags: , ,

Places to Visit in Europe

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Europe is a vast continent with many different countries to visit. Within these countries are hundreds of different cities, nature reserves, towns, villages, historical sites and natural formations making it incredibly difficult to know which places to visit in Europe when travelling there. Here we’ll try to narrow down some of the top places to visit in Europe so that you can get the most from your travels and be sure not to miss some of the true highlights of this fantastic continent. Some of these will be cities, some will be historical sites and some won’t fall into any of these categories – but all of them are fantastic experiences and some of the best places to visit in Europe.

Glacier in Austria: There are many glaciers in Austria, and these include the Dachstein glacier, Kitzsteinhorn glacier, Rettenbach glacier and Pasterze glacier among others. These are all great places to visit in Europe for the excitement on standing on a floor made of ice, the fantastic surrounding mountains, and the brilliant photo opportunities they provide.

Auschwitz: Auschwitz is the famous concentration in Poland. Not one of the nicest places to visit in Europe, but certainly one of the most historically significant places to visit in Europe and one that is incredibly mind boggling and famous the world over.

The Zakopane Mountains: The Tatra mountains in Zakopane are one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Europe and also one of the most accessible. Certainly one of of the places to visit in Europe that can offer the most fantastic vistas and amazing sense of scale.

Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik in Croatia is a fantastically colourful city, and looking down from the city gates at a view of the rooftops and coastline is one of those ‘wow’ moments that come very rarely.

Amsterdam: Amsterdam is one of the places in Europe that is known the world over – and for that reason alone it is a must-visit. At the same time though it’s also a great spot for stag and hen parties and famous for debauchery – as famous as it is infamous but also very modern and beautiful.

Meterora: Meteora in Greece is one of the best places to visit in Europe because it is one of the oddest places to visit in Europe features buildings perched on top of huge rocks, originally built by monks to bring them ‘closer to God’.

The Plitvice Lakes: The Plitvice Lakes in Croatia are some of the most beautiful and spectacular lakes in Europe making it one of the places to visit in Europe with the most natural beauty. It also features astonishing waterfalls and just about every colour possible.

Krakow: Krakow in Poland is a fantastic gothic city with a nightlife set mostly underground and many huge castles and churches.

Stone Henge: In Wiltshire, England, Stone Henge is a mysterious historical site and people travel from miles around to wonder about the why and the how of this famous stone structure.

Euro Disney: For family fun and something a bit more commercial, Euro Disney is one of the best places to visit in Europe and offers a vast range of things to do.

London: London is another one of the most famous places in Europe with lots of sites such as Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. It also offers fantastic shopping and many other attractions.

The Champ-Elysées: All of Paris is of course worth visiting, but from the Champ-Elysées you can see the Arc de Triumph, Cleopatra’s Needle, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower all from a single spot making it one of the best places to visit in Europe. At the same time the road itself is incredibly long, very famous and filled with the most upmarket restaurants, bars and shops. Crossing the road itself is something of an adventure…

The Vatican City: The Vatican City amazingly is actually a country and the smallest country in the World. This itself makes it one of the places to visit in Europe already, but at the same time it also offers an amazing view from the top of St Peter’s Basilica, the fantastic museum (visit it at night for more amazing atmosphere), and the beautiful St Peter’s Square.

Posted under Europe, Travel

This post was written by admin on February 21, 2011

Tags: , , ,