subject: Scour For Deluxe Cross-country European Vacations And Research On Valuable Museums And Things To Do [print this page] Discover Lisbon on European Vacations Discover Lisbon on European Vacations
One of the most popular destinations for travelers on European vacations is the city of Lisbon. Compared to other capital cities, Lisbon in Portugal is very small yet truly charming and beautiful. The shores of this port city are lined with mosaic-accented sidewalks, cobblestone streets, rolling hills and pastel-themed houses. Relax in the Art Nouveau cafes, or take a scenic ride on an antique wooden streetcar. Head up to Barrio Alto for breathtaking views of the city; you can get there via a 1902 street elevator -- the Elevator de Santa Justa -- that departs from Baixa. More spectacular scenes are to be admired on the viewing platform of the Padro dos Descobrimentos, a majestic 179-foot monument that memorializes the Age of Discoveries. After visiting the museum inside, head to the Belm Tower -- a four-storey, 100-foot 16th century tower built from lioz limestone, which played a considerable role in the Portuguese maritime achievements of that time.
Swiss Winter European Vacations
Enjoy the winter wonderland that is Switzerland on your European vacations!Atop the Matterhorn, the country's most popular landmark, you will be treated to spectacular views of mountain ranges and quaint villages covered with perfectly white snow. You can take part in a large range of snow activities available: cross-country skiing, tobogganing, horse sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowboarding, skating, and snowshoe trekking. Are all those not challenging enough for you?Experience a heart-pounding adrenaline rush by engaging in some extreme sports opportunities. Sign up for air boarding -- glide through air on a modern inflatable body board and steer by shifting your weight. Snow kiting is like having your own personal ski lift -- wear skis or a snowboard before you are attached to a kite that carries you through the wind. Only for the bold and adventurous!After an exhausting day of thrilling games, you can head to the heated pool of your hotel to soothe those aching muscles.
Enjoy a Barcelona Feast on European Vacations
European vacations to Barcelona are always a blast!The Festes de la Merce arrives in town in September. Through the years, this intimate religious parade has evolved into a weeklong party celebrating Catalan culture. Enjoy entertaining performances and exhibitions, free concerts by local musicians and hip hop artists, dazzling fireworks displays on the shore, and breathtaking air shows on the beachfront. Kids should be very busy too, with many activities targeted toward different age groups. A Barcelona fiesta is not complete without a taste of local cooking. Cinc Sentits offers a menu of mixed Catalan classics. 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. For a truly hefty feast, order all four dishes!Leave room for scrumptious desserts such as apple sorbet, maple quesada, or a plate of cheese paired with fine wine.
Book European Vacations to See Rome's Beautiful Churches
Your European vacations will not only be enjoyable but meaningful as well if you spend some time in Rome and see its beautiful churches. Visit the five patriarchal basilicas in the city, each one ceremonially assigned to one of the patriarchs. The first church of the popes is San Giovanni in Laterano, designated to Pope St. John Lateran. Designed in Baroque style, it is the cathedral of Rome. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, for St. Mary Major, the Patriarch of Antioch, has exquisite 5th century biblical mosaics, marble floors, spectacular ceilings and a bell tower. 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. Inside the large interior, you can see a lot of marble, bronze, and gold artwork, not the least of which is Michelangelo's Pieta. San Paolo fuori le Mura, St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Patriarch of Alexandria, is Romes second largest and is said to be the Apostle Paul's burial site.
