Florence
is known as ‘the jewel in the crown of Renaissance Italy', having been
the home of such distinguished artists as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo,
and Raphael. For several hundred years it has served as a centre of artistic
excellence. Within the city's limits, sprawled on either side of the river
Arno, the visitor can wander from the Cathedral to the famous Uffizi gallery.
The city is small but remarkably beautiful, and mostly pedestrianised. Walking
is the most pleasant way to visit most destinations and even those who are
in the city for business engagements will want to spend some time strolling
through the narrow Mediterranean-styled streets and piazzas.
The
one thing you cannot escape from in Rome, is history. This exciting metropolis
oozes with it. But neither will you escape the hectic vibrancy of the place
with its anarchic traffic, its noise, its piazzas, its fountains, its fabulous
restaurants and all the other idiosyncrasies that make Rome quite simply one
of the most remarkable cities in the world. Whether it's Etruscan tombs, Republican
meeting rooms, early-Christian churches, Renaissance palaces, Baroque basilicas,
the Vatican, or the great swathe of artefacts left by the Roman Empire; the
sense of history which Rome provides is all embracing.
It's
a bustling city in which a great deal of life takes place outdoors, people
mix; for instance, in the Piazzas around Parliament, you might see politicians
and journalists chatting with the man sweeping the streets, or pacing up and
down outside the bar in Via Uffici del Vicario avidly talking into their mobile
phones. Whether it's history, or humanity, Rome is quite simply a feast for
the eye.
Your
first sight of Venice will take your breath away, the stunning architecture,
an extensive network of lagoons on which the gondolas float and a palatable
mix of East and West. Once a land of inconceivable wealth and power today
the rich history and cultural past are still very noticeable. In the summer
months the heat can get unbearable making an out of season visit very advisable.
If you come during Spring or Autumn you will be able to make the most of your
stay. Similarly a winter break makes the city all the more romantic! Apart
from the obvious top attractions, exploring the less publicized labyrinth
of narrow streets and waterways will also not disappoint.
Amsterdam
is situated in the northwest of the Holland District within the Netherlands,
and is in close proximity to the North Sea. With its myriad of canals (165
to be precise) the city has developed into one of the world’s most
accessible and top tourist attractions. Amsterdam is largely split into
the geographic areas of north and south with the emphasis being placed on
the numerous ‘pleins’ for identification. As the city of Amsterdam
is so compact it has a unique feel to it, with all its different races and
religions living harmoniously together.
The City came to life in the thirteenth century when a small settlement
emerged at the Dam on the River Amstel, hence giving the city its name.
Despite a lot changing since the early days it still has a small town feel
with many of the current buildings, houses and architecture worthy of museum
status. The locals are very proud of their history and this is made apparent
by Amsterdam’s vast array of museums. The amazing architecture of
the Rijksmuseum (built in 1885) and the contrast of the modern Van Gogh
building take center stage on the Museum Plein.
Barcelona
has such a cultural atmosphere that it could well be described as a city of
museums, stuffed with historical artefacts, as well as amazing works of modern
art. However, that would be to deny the place its exciting upbeat energy,
its sophistication, its elegance and romance, especially since its pre-1992
Summer Olympics refurbishment. It is rapidly becoming one of Europe's most
'happening' cities to the extent that, if you only visit one city in Spain,
then make it Barcelona.
There's
the unique architecture of Antoni Gaudí, world-class museums like the
Museu Picasso and the Fundació Joan Miró. Then there's the Barri
Gotic, an intriguing old quarter with an excellent nightlife. You'll find
a buzz of activity and a constant stream of people promenading among hundreds
of cafés, bars and shopping areas like La Rambla, Playa de Sant Josep
Oriol and the Playa Reial. For six days of the week Barcelona is a shopper's
paradise, and if you're in town on a Sunday there's the performance of the
'sardana', a traditional Catalan dance performed just outside the cathedral.
The
Spanish capital Madrid is situated in the centre of the Iberian peninsula
at a lofty altitude more than 600 metres above sea level. It is one of the
great European cities with a wealth of treasures awaiting discovery in its
labyrinthine streets. By day, the city is a cultural centre, offering museums,
art galleries as well as a fascinating central old quarter dating back to
the Hapsburg Empire. By night it's a playground of lively activity with a
mass of discotheques, bars, and concert halls. Like many Mediterranean cities,
Madrid considers four in the morning to be a reasonable closing time for many
clubs and nightspots, so be prepared to party!
The
city of Edinburgh is often voted as ' the best place to live in Britain'.
Dramatic contours, long surviving buildings, breathtaking views, green hills,
wide water and a manageable sized city centre have encouraged a truly cosmopolitan
population that has produced a diverse cultural identity. The city is a
thrilling place! Culminating in August's festival it offers year-round,
sophisticated entertainment in hundreds of small performance venues. The
castle, King Arthur's seat and a labyrinth of tunnels and dungeons provide
similar excitement for history buffs whilst those simply looking for a place
to shop in fine style will not be disappointed either. There is a constant,
inexplicable air of romance within this ancient city that entices visitors
to return to this beautiful place time and again.
'London,
thou art the flower of cities all!'. This quote from the poem, simply titled
'London' was written by an unknown fifteenth-century poet whose sentiment
has survived in the hearts of many across half a millennium. London means
different things to different people: a thriving business community, the theatre
capital of Europe, an artistic Utopia, a bustling market place, a fantastic
shopping centre, an architectural tapestry, an open history book and home
to millions of people who love the cultural cornucopia. London is all of these
things and within the space of a short 'tube' train journey some of England's
most beautiful parkland invites the city-weary traveller to muse among the
greenery, once enjoyed by the late great poets.
Geneva
is set on the shore of Lake Léman between the Alps and the Jura Mountains.
In the past, Geneva acted as the crossroads of occidental Europe; today it
is the politically important home of the United Nations. In this ‘city
in the countryside', cobbled streets, sophisticated shops and the famous 'jet
d'eau' fountain are contrasted with breathtaking scenery and snow-capped mountains.
It is a cultural and sporting centre with many museums, galleries and sports
facilities. It also has a great business reputation and hosts a variety of
conferences and events.
Zürich
is the new Berlin. No hesitation, no competition. This formerly staid banking
capital has experienced such a creative explosion in recent years, and such
a mushrooming of trendy bars, restaurants and shops, it resembles Berlin's
salad days of the mid-eighties and early nineties.
Like most of Switzerland's cities, Zürich runs on minute-perfect time.
That doesn't mean it's predictable: it did, after all, spawn Dadaism, which
goes to show that even cities starched up to the eyebrows with order and
privilege have some surprises up their sleeves.
Chocolate bars will battle gold bars for your attention, the town boasts
free bicycle loans, and a varied cycle of festivals keeps the people hopping.
Visitors can explore galleries, the pedestrian streets of the old town and
Zürich's lakeside setting.
Waterside
walks, sea bordered parks and attractive bridges linking the city to nearby
islands have justly earned Helsinki the title ‘Daughter of the Baltic'.
Its stunning architecture ranges from graceful neo-classical to twentieth-century
Finnish Modernism. High on a rocky cliff stands the Russian Orthodox cathedral
with golden onion domes, whilst a modernist Lutheran church is carved out
of the solid rock below.
The
market square bustles with life as people visit cafés and open-air
markets selling fresh flowers, fruit, vegetables and handicrafts. Boat trips
offer a more relaxing experience and a short walk to the nearby Suomenlinna,
a former island fortress, provides the opportunity to stroll around beautiful
parks and fascinating museums.
Visitors
to Lisbon often remark on the instant attractiveness of Portugal's first city.
Built on the terraced sides of low, steep hills overlooking the harbour, the
combination of wide tree-lined avenues, large public gardens and handsome
squares demonstrates a thoughtful desire to provide a relaxed and informal
setting with an easy going pace for business and pleasure. The narrow crooked
charm of the Alfama quarter survived the terrible earthquakes of the eighteenth
century, so visitors can now step back in time and experience the cobbled
lanes and flea markets of this traditional fishing community.
Elsewhere,
wooden trams judder up incredible gradients and shoe shiners, local crafts,
magnificent churches and the beautiful old cafés in the Baixa blend
comfortably with inspired modern development. The outstanding Museu Calouste
Gulbenkian, Portugal's showpiece museum, boasts one of the finest collections
of ancient world and European artefacts. It is also home to a significant
collection of paintings, including works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Ghirlandaio's
unmissable "Portrait of a Young Woman".
