subject: Hunt For Weekend Cross-country European Vacations And Research On Renowned Scandinavian Restaurants [print this page] European Vacations to Romantic Venice European Vacations to Romantic Venice
Nicknamed the "City of Canals", the "City of Water", and the "City of Bridges", Venice is a popular getaway destination for European vacations. The beauty of Venice is world renowned; it is made up of 117 little islands set on the Venetian Lagoon extending from the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. Begin your tour of the city by visiting a handful of its numerous museums. The Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, the National Library of St. Mark named after the patron saint of Venice, showcases one of the most valuable collections of rare printed texts in the world. The museum gallery of Gallerie dellAccademia displays art pieces from ancient times up to the 18th century. Fans of Picasso, Dali and other American modernists and Italian futurists in the cubism, surrealism and abstract expressionism genres will surely love the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Roam through the picturesque St. Marks Square and Palazzo Ducale, and make a quick visit to the beautiful Doges Palace. Walk along the Rialto Bridge with your loved one; the romantic atmosphere can be the perfect setting for a long-awaited proposal.
European Vacations to London
All European vacations must include a stop at the great city of London. Even non-Catholics will appreciate St. Paul's Cathedral, a famous London icon designed by Sir Christopher Wren that was built in 1708. Guests are always in awe of the beautiful mosaics on the walls. On to the London financial district, you will be able to see the Bank of England and the Mansion House where the Lord Mayor resides. No visit to the British capital is complete without seeing the Tower of London. An old medieval fortress, it is nearly 1,000 years old and has also been used as a royal palace, a mint, a prison and a zoo. Marvel at the Crown Jewels -- Her Majesty's most important pieces include the Kohi-i-Noor and the Cullinan diamonds. Sign up for an enjoyable afternoon cruise along the Thames River and spot a number of attractions from the water. As soon as you get off, travel along the river banks and take a ride on one of the gondolas of the London Eye, which used to be the highest Ferris wheel in the world at 135 meters.
Festive European Vacations in Barcelona
Start your European vacations in Barcelona with a bang!September marks the arrival of the Festes de la Merce. This festival used to be an intimate religious parade which has evolved into a weeklong celebration of Catalan culture. Watch awesome performances and exhibitions, mesmerizing fireworks displays along the shore, an air show on the seafront, and free concerts of genres from local music to hip hop. Kids are not left out, as activities targeted to different age groups are also available. Continue the celebrations with a taste of local cooking. A selection of mixed Catalan classics is offered at Cinc Sentits. Try the suckling pig with apple compote, or lamb cutlets with porcini dust, or Catalan float coca bread with foie gras, or slow-braised pork belly on gingerbread. Or live dangerously and order all four dishes!Just make sure you still have room for the maple quesada, apple sorbet or a cheese plate to be paired with their fine wines.
European Vacations to Pious Rome
Your European vacations would be richer and more meaningful with a visit to some of Romes most beautiful churches. Five patriarchal basilicas can be found in the city, with each one ceremonially assigned to one of the patriarchs. San Giovanni in Laterano, for St. John Lateran, the Pope, is the popes first church. It is Romes cathedral and was built in the Baroque style. Exquisite 5th century biblical mosaics, marble floors, spectacular ceilings and a bell tower are things you will see when you visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, for St. Mary Major, the Patriarch of Antioch. Located in the Vatican City, San Pietro in Vaticano was set aside for the Patriarch of Constantinople, St. Peter's Basilica. The church of the current pope, it is one of the largest and probably the most important Catholic church in the world. The vast interior features a lot of bronze, marble and gold paintings, including Michelangelo's Pieta. It is said that the Apostle Paul is buried in Rome's second largest church -- San Paolo fuori le Mura, for St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Patriarch of Alexandria.
