Ken.G

Turkey is a country full of contrasts and surprises, it can surprise even the most experienced travelers. It is so attractive that some people only go there, not forgetting its beauty. When we cross the country's borders and obtain a tourist visa (its cost is 15 euro or 20 dollars), virtually unlimited possibilities will open up to us. Many kilometers of picturesque routes, breathtaking wonders of nature, as well as monuments from the ancient times of great civilizations are waiting to be explored.

South of Turkey

More than one city is described as the pearl of a given country. But what about a city that covers almost 2% of its country? A country that is so attractive and at the same time so tiny that it can be considered a treasure in its entirety. This is what Luxembourg is like, or rather the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Nestled between Germany, France and Belgium, the country tempts visitors with a wealth of attractions and their proximity. It's not far away here. The country's capital, Luxembourg, is the Grand Duke's residence, seat of parliament and government. It is also, next to Strasbourg and Brussels, one of the three community capitals of the European Union. It is situated on a high rock plateau surrounded on three sides by the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, and on the fourth side by a city park. Everyone who comes here will be delighted with the beautiful architecture of the city and great cuisine, especially the traditional hare stew and delicious trout or pike dishes. Not to be overlooked is the excellent white wine made in the Moselle valley.

Luxembourg

Happy to see them. Some may associate the name "Lofoten" with Lot's wife. Where does this comparison come from? It results not only from the similarity of sound - after all, Lot's wife froze from the impression looking at the burning Sodom. Tourists who visit the islands react the same with delight. In 2006, experts from National Geographic awarded Lofoten the third most beautiful islands in the world, and the view from Reine on the Kirkefjord was recognized as the most beautiful in Norway. This is a clear proof that the local landscapes can leave you speechless. One of the main attractions of the area is the polar day that lasts here from the end of May to mid-July. Not only is the lack of nights exotic for tourists, it also allows you to plan much longer trips. In addition to climbing the mountains and exploring islets, there are also several museums that showcase fishing and Viking history.

Norway - Lofoten

On the Baltic Sea, in the part of the country called Little Lithuania, there is a city that is the main port of Lithuania. This is Klaipėda, which, as befits a seaside city, offers tourists beautiful, sandy beaches. Nature lovers will also be delighted by the picturesque landscapes and unique nature of the nearby Regional Seaside Park. The city has a well-developed tourist infrastructure - there are many hotels and restaurants, as well as night clubs. There are also two yacht clubs at the guests' disposal, one of which is located in the very center of Klaipėda. Right next to it there is a cruise ship terminal offering cruises on the Baltic Sea.

Little Lithuania - Klaipeda

A country with a very exotic language has many attractions. One of the popular Hungarian cities is Győr, situated on the Raba and Danube, in the northwest of the country. It is also a resort with the first women's handball team in Hungary. The name "Győr" comes from the Avar language and means defense fortresses built on a circular plan. But what captivates visitors is the beautiful, baroque architecture of the monuments. An interesting fact about Győr is that the Town Hall (Városhaza) is not, as in most Hungarian centers, located in the center of the Old Town, but away from it - on a 19th-century square. The building is distinguished by a 58-meter tower topped with a clock.

Towards Hungary-Győr

There is a small city in Spanish Galicia. This is A Coruña, the capital of the province of the same name. The resort has a large fishing and trading port and is known for its well-developed fish and tobacco industries. He was also famous for the Torre de Hercules, Tower of Hercules. It is a lighthouse, which, according to preached legends, was built by the mythical strongman himself. Regardless of whether we believe these stories or not, it is worth seeing - it proudly crowns a small hill washed by waves. The tower was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

A Coruña in Spanish Galicia

That's right - although it may surprise you. In Portugal, we find one and only tiny ski resort, Serra da Estrela. Its highest peak, Torre, is 1993 m above sea level, and in winter crowds of Portuguese descend to the slopes. You can also ski here in summer, when skiers use the artificial slopes in Seia. The resort is located in the north-central part of the country, in the highest mountain range in Portugal. Skiing in Serra da Estrela is more of an addition, an attraction in itself than a tourist offer, after all, it cannot compete with the majesty and landscapes of the Alps. On the other hand, wouldn't it be great to boast about skiing in Portugal?.

Resort Serra da Estela - Portugal

It will be a slightly different story than usual. It will be a story about a journey along the border of two countries, along the Kupa, one of the cleanest rivers in Croatia, and at the same time about a place where visitors can rest in body and spirit, i.e. one of the oldest spas in Europe - Dolenjske Toplice in Slovenia. So let's get started. Kupa, also known as Kolpa, is the main outlet of the Sava River. One of its sections is the border between Croatia and south-eastern Slovenia. The river flows among wonderful landscapes, and the most beautiful of them belong to the Kolpa Landscape Park (Krajinski Park Kolpa). The park stretches within the Crnomelj district, its main attraction is undoubtedly the river itself with its picturesque, vast valley, in some part even forming a canyon with high cliffs on both banks.

Dolenjske Toplice - Slovenia

When it snows outside and frost draws fancy patterns on the glass, many of us dream of going to a place where we can expose our face to the sun, walk on loose sand and swim in the warm sea. And for many of us, hot Spain comes to mind. And where can it be the warmest? In a region that is, colloquially speaking, just a stone's throw from Africa. In other words, in Andalusia. The southernmost Spanish center is Tarifa, from which the lights of the African city of Tangier can be seen at night. After all, they are only 30 km apart.

Tarifa

The second largest city in Slovakia and the heart of the Eastern Carpathian region is now a rapidly growing center. Košice, because we are talking about them, in 2013 will be the European capital of culture. The symbol of the city is the Sculpture of the Marathon Runner - the International Peace Marathon is held in Košice every year. The city is situated on the Hornád River, at the junction of the Košice Basin and the Spišské Ore Mountains, and is extremely attractive for tourists. It has a beautifully renovated old town with 460 historic buildings - the Old Town of Košice is the largest urban historical zone in Slovakia. A large part of them is concentrated on the most beautiful promenade in the country, Hlavna Street. It is worth devoting a few words to her.

Slovak Kosice

There are many excellent spas in Europe that offer treatment for all types of diseases. But not all of them can boast of the beauty of the architecture of buildings, as Karlovy Vary can. The resort is located in the valley of the Teplá River in West Bohemia, on elevations ranging from 370 to 644 m above sea level. Some fantasy lovers may associate it with the Tolkien city of the elves - Rivendell. The terrace buildings of the spa come from the 19th century, the earlier one was burnt down (twice, in 1604 and in 1759). Tourists are especially delighted with the buildings of the post office, the theater and some of the sanatoriums - they have been restored, preserving the ornamentation and asymmetry of the Art Nouveau style. Two local promenades (Stara and Nová Louka) are also beautiful.

Karlovy Vary

Antwerp, on the Scheldt River, is Europe's second largest seaport after Rotterdam. But that's not the only reason why the Maritime Museum (Nationaal Scheepvaartmuseum) was created here, where today we can see models of ships from different historical periods. The museum is located by the river, in the 12th-century Steen Fortress. Antwerp is an important research center (there are two universities here) and also the birthplace of Rubens. The city devotes a lot of attention to nurturing the master's memory. His works can be admired in the huge Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunstem). In addition to the works of Rubens himself, there are also paintings by Hals, van Dyck, Breughel and other artists.