SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
A WORLD OF LUXURY... FOR THOSE WITH DISCERNING TASTE
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. From its canals to world-famous museums and historical sights, it is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe.
Amsterdam is also a city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city - rich culture, lively nightlife, international restaurants, and excellent transport - but is quiet, and largely thanks to its extensive canals, has a little road traffic. In this city your destination is never far away, but try going on bike for an authentic local experience.
The biggest attraction in Amsterdam is the amazing array of over 75 museums. Alongside the majestic golden age paintings, you'll find exciting modern art, press, film, theatre, science, biology or photography museums. Also some interesting exhibits like the Heineken Experience, houseboat, erotic, cannabis or torture museums.
A trip to Holland just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a windmill. Believe it or not, there are 8 stunning windmills in at the heart of the city just waiting to be admired.
The number of canals has led this city to become known as “The Venice of the North”. And thus, Amsterdam tourism trip is not complete without a boat cruise on these well-known attractions in Amsterdam.
ATHENS
Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilisation acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.
The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. Beyond Athens, down the Attica peninsula, are more spectacular antiquities, such as the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion and the site of Ancient Eleusis, as well as very good beaches, such as those near historical Marathon.
BARCELONA
Barcelona – the capital of the Catalan region - offers a wide range of original leisure options that encourage you to visit time and time again. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and famous for the legend that is Gaudí and his Art Nouveau architecture, Barcelona is one of Europe’s trendiest cities.
It’s a hub of new trends in the world of culture, fashion and cuisine. It combines the creativity of its artists and designers with respect and care for local traditions. The charm and slower pace of the old town, the avant-garde vibe of more modern neighbourhoods, and the fast pace of one of the world’s most visited cities coexist in Barcelona.
Barcelona is a showcase for the latest in fashion. Strolling around its streets you can discover a world of options for a day of shopping. From glamour and major brands in iconic stores set in emblematic buildings, such as the Paseo de Gracia or Avinguda Diagonal, to alternative and innovative design in areas such as the Born district. Barcelona is also brimming with traditional shops and you can visit century-old stores and ateliers that will surprise you with their attention to detail.
The Mediterranean character and streets full of ambience also set the trend in Barcelona. The possibilities are almost endless, ranging from popular options such as a stroll down Las Ramblas or traditional markets such as La Boquería, to relaxing moments on the city beaches or the many pavement cafés in the old town.
BERLIN
Berlin also has a lot to offer for shopaholics, lovers of luxury, foodies, cyclists, and sports fans. Let yourself be inspired.
When people think of Berlin, the first thing that probably comes to mind is its most famous landmark – the Brandenburg Gate. A symbol of division for decades, the monument has always been at the heart of a major city bursting with ideas, inspiration, art, culture and creativity. Wonderful residential areas, sophisticated galleries and the Kurfürstendamm – the very definition of an exclusive shopping street – can all be found in the west of the city. And the nightlife is not to be missed, either.
There is a very chilled vibe to both the Alexanderplatz square and the Hackesche Höfe within the central Mitte district. The Hackesche Höfe complex is the largest series of enclosed courtyards in Germany, where visitors will find a multicultural mixture of art galleries, cinemas, theatres and cabaret, pubs, restaurants and bars, nice little boutiques and flagship stores.
The progressive spirit of optimism that engulfed the reunified city was – and still is – astounding. Art began to take over streets, the walls of buildings and even entire districts. Artists have even appropriated the remains of the Berlin Wall, a section of which now goes by the name of the East Side Gallery and has become an illustrated encyclopedia of street art. Berlin is a unique experience!
www.visitberlin.de
BRUSSELS
As the headquarters to the European Union and NATO, this metropolis is often referred to as The Capital of Europe. While certainly international, it offers more than governmental buildings to uphold this well-earned title. It is the ultimate European city with a mosaic of languages and cultures paving a way for a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene. With over 80 museums, the King’s Palace and a wealth of history, culture is equally accessible.
Impossible to miss is the Grand Place, which was built as a merchants' market in the 13th century. Smack in the city centre, it plays host to numerous festivals and concerts year round and is also where you can discover the tiny Manneken-Pis, the somewhat peculiar symbol of the city. Towering over surrounding buildings, it can serve as a compass during your exploration of the city; be sure to indulge in chocolate at the Sablon.
COPENHAGEN
Copenhagen is a true food mecca and has something for every taste, whether you're an indulgent epicurean with special interests or simply like to eat well. Copenhagen has gained international fame in recent years as a major foodie capital. At the moment, two of the world's top 5 best restaurants are located in Copenhagen. They are the Michelin-starred restaurants noma (2* and four-time world's best restaurant) and Geranium (3* and run by one of the world's best chefs, Rasmus Kofoed), respectively.
All capitals have their classic sights - the things you just have to see and do - and Copenhagen is no different. Copenhagen's most iconic attractions and experiences, from Nyhavn TMerchant Harbour) to the world-famous Tivoli Gardens, their international shopping district Strøget, the Queen’s palace at Amalienborg, the Little Mermaid, or even Christiania – the social experiment village founded in the 1970s.
www.visitdenmark.com
FLORENCE
Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation”.
www.italia.it
GENEVA
Welcome to Geneva!
The symbol of the world’s smallest metropolis is the ‘Jet d’eau’ – a fountain with a 140-metre-high water jet at the periphery of Lake Geneva. Most of the large hotels and many restaurants are situated on the right-hand shore of the lake. The old town, the heart of Geneva with the shopping and business quarter, holds sway over the left-hand shore. It is dominated by St. Peter’s Cathedral, however the actual centre of the old town is the Place du Bourg-de-Four, which is the oldest square in the city. Quays, lakeside promenades, countless parks, lively side streets in the old town and elegant shops invite guests to stroll. One of the best-maintained streets is the Grand-Rue, where Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born. The 'mouettes', a type of water taxi, enable crossings to be made from one lakeshore to the other, while larger vessels invite visitors to enjoy cruises on Lake Geneva.
Geneva is Switzerland’s most international city, as it is where the European seat of the UNO is based. Even the International Red Cross directs its humanitarian campaigns from here. Geneva is also a centre for culture and history, for trade fairs and exhibitions. The 'Horloge Fleuri', the large flower clock in the “Jardin Anglais” (English Garden), is a world-renowned symbol of the Geneva watch industry.
Culturally, this city on the westernmost fringe of Switzerland has much to offer. International artists perform in the Grand Théâtre and Geneva Opera House, and an extremely diverse range of museums such as the “Musée international de l'horlogerie”, a watch museum with a collection of jewellery watches and musical clocks, and the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which provides an insight into the work of these humanitarian organisations, invite city guests to visit them.
www.myswitzerland.com
ISTANBUL
The metropolitan city on the Bosphurous built on two continents is steeped in history. Located in the Marmara region the city is buzzing and alive with a varied mix of cultures to explore.
East and West, tradition and modernity. Through its history, Istanbul has always been a global center for trade, thanks to its unique location. One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar dates from the 15th century. Having more than 4000 shops, the Grand Covered Bazaar is visited by the tourists and the citizens regularly.
The most important historical shopping center of Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar, which has gates opening to many areas of the Historic Peninsula. First time visitors to the Grand Bazaar will be astounded by its splendour and size.
Istanbul entertains its visitors all day. The nightlife, both dining and going out has never been more abundant. Within a range from affordable to ultra-luxury, Istanbul offers world's best tastes and entertainment for its guests. Various alternatives are available such as concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and clubs that are located across the city and serve both in summer and in winter.
www.goturkey.com
LISBON
The coolest city in the world according to CNN - Lisbon, is a historical city full of stories to tell. Here the sun shines 290 days a year and the temperature rarely drops below 15 degrees celsius. A city where you feel safe wandering around day or night, where the cuisine is dedicated to creating over a thousand ways to cook the beloved bacalhau (salted cod), and where you’ll find hotels and restaurants to suit every taste, and requirement.
Discover Lisbon, a city full of authenticity where old customs and ancient history intermix with cultural entertainment and hi-tech innovation.
www.visitlisboa.com
MADRID
Spain’s capital is renowned for its famous museums, busy streets dotted with all kinds of shops, restaurants with world-class international cuisine and unbeatable nightlife.
Madrid is home to some of the most important museums in the world, such as the Prado, Reina Sofía or Thyssen.
Walking around Madrid means coming across iconic spots such as the stunning Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor with 400 years of history, the buzzing Puerta del Sol, the famous Gran Vía full of shops, or the four tallest towers in Spain. Each neighbourhood offers a different experience: La Latina is ideal for tapas, Las Letras has the perfect combination of literature and fine dining… But Madrid also means relaxing in enormous parks such as the Parque del Retiro, and other lesser-known but equally charming parks like El Capricho.
When it comes time to eat Madrid has two facets, both equally delicious. On the one hand, traditional bars where you can discover the old-fashioned, unpretentious atmosphere known as ‘castizo’, and why tapas are so much fun. On the other hand, avant-garde restaurants such as DiverXO and traditional markets converted into new gourmet spaces like San Miguel, which have become true temples of gastronomy.
Fashionistas will find all options: luxury stores on the Golden Mile, vintage establishments in areas such as Fuencarral, new designer markets like the Mercado de Motores, and craft shops and bookshops over 100 years old.
www.spain.info
MONTE CARLO
Monte Carlo - two words which evoke a magical dream world.
Known internationally as the playground of the rich and famous, Monaco is an independent state in the heart of Europe. An independent sovereign state located between the foot of the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean, the Principality of Monaco borders on several French villages.
Once in your life you have to visit Monaco. This mythic place, between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea will offer you dreams and reality.
Monaco Monte-Carlo provides many discoveries, a highly cultured place with its many museums, friendly welcome with some of the nicest hotels in the world, sumptuous gastronomy and its well-known restaurants and nightlife.
www.visitmonaco.com
MALTA
Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It's a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. It has numerous fortresses, megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 B.C.
www.visitmalta.com
PARIS
Located in the north of France on the river Seine, Paris has the well-deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities. France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture.
Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Sacre Couer, and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
PRAGUE
Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River.
Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it's known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colourful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly show. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints.
ROME
Rome is the capital city and a special commune of Italy as well as the capital of the Lazio region. The city has been a major human settlement for almost three millennia.
Rome was called the “Eternal City” by the ancient Romans because they believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing. Exploring the city centre by foot surrounded by glorious monuments and colossal remains takes you back in time to the “glory that was Rome”.
www.italia.it
VENICE
Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces.
The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs
www.italia.it
VIENNA
Vienna, Austria’s capital, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud.
Home to over 27 castles and more than 150 palaces, it’s no wonder that Vienna is renowned as one of Europe’s most beautiful and enchanting cities. With so much to see from the gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the magnificent baroque palace Schönbrunn, to the Museum of Fine Arts and modern architecture at the Museums Quartier, Vienna is steeped in history, culture and fine architecture, making it easy to put down the guide book and simply wander the beautiful streets.
www.wien.gv.at
WARSAW
