Discount Euro Travel

Archaeologists are still excavating for so many years now a series of temples that are said to be older than Egypt's Pyramids. In different locations in Germany and Austria, big monuments were unearthed and identified. With such evidences found, historians were able to describe the civilization, and also the customs and traditions of the people who lived there during those times.

Many historians and archaeologists believed that in locating the Stone Age temples, the history of Europe in prehistoric time has been altered. Along with the said unearthed temples, other historic mysteries were discovered. Complex monuments were said to be used only for a few generations, and the sacred central area was observed to be exactly compatible in size. Also, the complex was noticeably built with ditched and palisades. Historians believed that such do not seem to be built for the purpose of defense. Rather the ditched and the palisades were created to keep the peasant citizen from viewing the rituals that took place in the sacred central area.

Furthermore, archaeologists from the said project said that the excavations in Dresden have showed a degree of enourmous sophistication and vision practiced by the early communities of Europe.

Salzburg is fast becoming a popular tourist destination not only for Europeans but Americans as well. It is located near the Salzach river and just beneath the rocky hills of Monchsberg. Being the birthplace of Mozart, the famous composer, Salzberg has earned a reputation especially to those who love history. This small city has retained mush of its old beauty, in fact it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site because it plays an important role to the history of the country and its people.

Apart from its historical sights like baroque buildings and old museums, the people of Salzberg are proud of their culture. Events such as festivals were established to commemorate their love for culture and the arts. An example of which is the Salzburg Dult which takes place every year. This year the event will take place on June 3 – 11, 2006. It is a country fair which will showcase everyone's favorite amusements from ghost rides to carousel. But it won't be complete without traditional music on the background. Another is the Whitsun Baroque Festival which will commemorate Mozart's 250th birthday this year. The festival will be held on June 2 – June 5 2006. All roads lead to Salzburg for an exciting cultural journey.

Probably one of the most breathtaking places to visit in England is the Bath City. A trip destination best seen during the day, Bath's exceptionality is attributed to the hot springs that are exclusive in the United Kingdom area. This enchanting city is built in the mouth of a dead volcano and is also considered a spa city.

Bath City's main attraction is its remarkable architecture. Celebrated architect John Wood, during the eighteen century laid the groundwork for a new Georgian city that was built of honey-colored stones. The effect was that Bath City has a warm and relaxed feel to it. You should also go see the Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park and the Sydney Gardens, which is the oldest park in the city. The city is also home to a lot of museums, among them the Victoria Art Gallery.

Bath is located just in the southwestern part of England and has a population of roughly 100,000. If you still can't get of Europe through Bath, you can also visit its surrounding countryside which also offers tourist attractions like the Stonehenge and the Cotswold. London is also about an hour and a quarter worth of travel by train and Bristol in only fifteen minutes way.

Erlangen is a German town popularly known for some of the best universities in Germany and home to Siemens. But if there was one thing, you and I should know (and every beer lover should know too) that it's a fact the Erlangen is where the Bergkirchweih is celebrated. Every year, since 1755, over a million people flock to this Bavarian town to meet with old friends and families to sample a mug or two of beer and party the night away at the town square. People can get bloated with all the food served in stalls scattered everywhere. If you're done with the beer, why not try visiting Erlangen's famous castles and baroque churches for a change.

Beer festivals are very common in Germany. Munich has its Oktoberfest while Straubing has its Gäubodenvolksfest. What makes this Erlangen event extraordinary? Well, some testimonials would say that it is better than Oktoberfest. Probably because the old Bavarian tradition has been retained. And considering the fact that there are lesser foreign tourists who come here than in Munich. The one in Erlangen will be celebrated this June 1-12. Erlangen can be access by train or a short journey by car from the town of Nuremberg.

Migration has never been a problem for Spain but when it is done through illegal means than that could be serious. Over 500 hundred Africans boarded on a boat were intercepted by Spanish police this week. The migrants were attempting to dock at Canary Islands but they're plans were busted. Illegal settlers to the country have been a commonplace in Spain prompting the government to use satellites and other monitoring equipments. But not this huge and it only happened in one day.

Because of the proximity of the Canary Islands to northwest Africa, African destitutes are trying all their luck to settle in Europe for a better life. Boarding in small boats, these migrants some of them women including minors come from sub-Saharan parts of Africa. For this year only, Spain had received over 6,900 Africans, a very significant increase from last year's which is totaling at 4,751 Africans. And it seems that among all the other European countries, Spain has been the target of these estranged Africans. Spanish ambassadors are set to journey to the countries where these migrants originated to settle and iron things out in the hopes that their respective governments can control the illegal migration.

A an adventurous trip always fill the void in every weary traveler. But a trip with an empty stomach is no fun at all. Especially when you're lost in Braga, Portugal. Braga is touted as Portugal's Rome because of the concentration of religious architecture in the region. Braga is a very conservative city but the food isn't. Because hefty servings of food (especially fish) are offered in most restaurants and cafes in this busy commercial district.

Next stop -- Lisbon, Portugal's capital. Fish is the primary commodity in the country no wonder it is one of the staple dishes there. But mind you, Lisboas consider soup as their main dish. I ordered the sopa de marisco, which is commonly offered in most menus. Its main ingredient is shellfish. Main dishes are served with wine (good buffer for 'fish-bloat'). Another tasty dish is the Calderaida which is stewed fish. And a host of other fish-based dishes. Pastries in Portugal are worth trying too. Although I don't have the nerve to take in a lot of sweets because I'm watching my diet. My day ended with partying in a nightclub called "Cosmos." I must admit, I had no problems with the price. The drinks are very cheap. After a few booze, I headed back to my hotel on a taxi and slept waiting for yet another day of adventure.

The best jet setter I know wakes up in a completely strange place, alone, but not lonely. His experiences during his journey forever remain in the chambers of his mind. But before I end up rhyming my words here, let me get to the meaty part of my blog. It's not very often that I come home from a place in high-spirits, I usually end up dead-tired, jet-lagged and all. But my very recent trip to Las Palmas, Spain gave me the confidence that vacation need not tire you out.

The island of Las Palmas is a wonderful inclusion to anyone's itinerary. Especially if you head to the island's capital Las Palmas de Gran Cranaria. Set in a magnificent scenery of pristine beaches and amazing cityscape, the northeastern part of the island offers not just the taste of Caribbean-Spanish style. It promises to be the ultimate travel getaway for weary travelers. And so there I was checking in at the premier Playa Meloneras Palace Hotel on Meloneras Beach. The view from my room is absolutely breathtaking. Although, I stayed there for only three days, I did a lot of swimming, swimming, swimming. No wonder I got really burned skin when I boarded for home.

You've heard of the all-familiar catchphrase "Doing as the Romans do, right? Now if you put that into the context of hot water-bathing in Budapest, Hungary's capital, would you be glad they've invented that catchphrase at all? I've been in that familiar situation three months ago when I went to Budapest for a five-day vacation. And to tell you frankly, I never wanted to try it out in the first place.

Imagine your buttocks exposed for all the word to see, bathing with some locals that you barely even know, even old locals at that. Now I know why Budapest males hardly get arthritis. Just kidding, but with public baths like these (there are dozens of them everywhere), the way to handle the situation is to hop into the pool pretend like no one's ever noticed you and relax just like how the locals do over thousands of years.

Budapest, is touted as the Spa City, is located within a network of hot and cold mineral springs. It's a good thing to visit one or two of these public bath houses to reward your aching body after a long journey on foot. But if you are the conservative type than an exciting outdoor activity will do.

Marriage is celebrated in many ways and traditional matrimonies are practiced differently in various countries around the globe. Just like any other marriage rites in Europe, traditional marriage in Scotland is usually celebrated in three parts - Pre-Marriage; Marriage; and the Post-Marriage stage. The Pre-Marriage part is when two separate parties are held for the bride and groom. For the bride, the mother holds an event for the "show of presents" which in fact, is similar to what is usually called as "bridal shower". On the other hand, the groom is taken out for "stag night" with his friends. The party may consist of weird practical jokes on the groom.

Moreover, the marriage part is the matrimony itself, wherein the bride and groom will be joined as husband and wife by the priest outside the church. Right after the joining, the priest will lead the couple inside the church, along with the witnesses, for a Latin mass. Finally, the reception is the Post-Marriage, that is expected to last all night. It is celebrated with dancing and will end by means of the guests forming a circle and sing "Auld Lang Syne". Hence, marriages may differ or may be similar in meaning and the way it is practiced. However, one things is sure: it is by no means an act of being united to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

A recent survey done by ADT, a security firm and Jill Dando Institute of Crime in University College London, tells us that the Britons are seen by their fellow Europeans as the most misbehaved in all of Europe. The survey result is said to be due to the excessive drinking among the Brits especially with the young. Seventy-six per cent of those respondents from different European countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Spain and Netherlands gave the same response saying the Brits have a "big to moderate" social behavioral problem.

Even the Brits themselves think that their social behavior is really a big deal giving a 95% response blaming the way home and schools instill discipline. What could this survey result mean? Could it signify that the institutions which should be responsible in the first place to instill proper behavior in public are the ones who lack responsibility? Is there a breakdown in discipline in the British society? Does the country need more stringent punishment for offenders? Or is there a need to revise the moral structure in society altogether? We only know that the answer lies in the Britons themselves.

Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII became Queen of England in 1558 giving birth to 45-year reign. During the Elizabethan period, England hes gained ,much of its power and influence in the Western world not only in terms of politics but also whit cultural achievements with the proliferation of Shakespearean literature and English renaissance art.

Her reign as Queen of a powerful state was very much appreciated by many who considered her fit to rule as monarch. She was not only educated but he was very adroit with political affairs that no one wants to intercede with her strategies. She has moved the country to stability and made other countries fear its strength. And she did all this without a King by her side as she never got married.

The last few years of her reign, Elizabeth I did not have an easy time as rebellions and internal conflicts managed to get in the way. But because she was very able as a Queen she got out of the trap and took firm control of the country's affairs. Her rule ended with her death in 1603. next in throne was her cousin King James I.

What's a vacation in Europe without a luxury accommodation in some of the finest hotels in the continent. It may sound some freaking rich person is uttering this words but hey you need to treat yourself once in a while, right? Life is short as they say, you'll never know when will your time be so might as well spend like there's no tomorrow.

If you're in Rome, then you might want to try Hotel Scalinata di Spagna and the Albergo del Sole al Pantheon; just be ready to shell out 180 Euros for a night stay. Both this luxurious hotels offer nothing but pure elegance starting from the hotel's lobby to your bedroom shower. Not to mention you have a glimpse of the beautiful Roman landscape at night or in the morning, and that's completely free.

If that doesn't impress you or your bank account then here's something that will. With a whopping 350 Euros a night, you're sure to get the treatment only deserving for the rich and the famous. The InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam in Netherlands holds the title as the most beautiful hotel in the country. Located near the Amstel river, this hotel was built far back in 1867 and has over 111 ritzy suites that cater to the tired and weary traveler that you are.

Being the jet-setter that I am, I always look forward for the time of the year when I have to leave home and travel to a foreign place to spark up my otherwise boring daily routine. This year I'm planning to fly to Tallin, one of the beautiful cities of Estonia. For many of you who may have heard Estonia for the first time (and Tallin as well), here is a brief description of the country.

Estonia is found in the Baltic region and known for its 1,000 magnificent islands. Because of it's sheer land mass, many point out that it's a small country when it's not. Estonia is even larger than Belgium, Denmark, and Holland. But despite that fact, Estonians are proud of their heritage. It's a member nation of EU but it still has it's own identity apart from the other member countries.

Tallin showcases both the old and the modern. Cobble-stoned streets are a commonplace, and so are the numerous museums that give the city dwellers a place to reminisce their past. It's no wonder Tallin is considered one of the largest and best preserved old cities in Europe. A good starting point to journey through Tallin's history is the Town Hall Square which is 800 years old. Also, the 700-year-old street of Rataskaevu, the oldest in Tallin, blows you into nostalgia. There's a lot more to do in Tallin than just sightseeing. Tallin, here I come!

Kissing is an ordinary activity in the everyday lives of Europeans. No barrier is ever too great for people to kiss each other even distance, racial differences, religion, or skin color. It has turned kissing into a major phenomenon and not just a local custom. But every country in Europe has their own kissing style and decorums.

In France, kissing has actually been considered as a course of life. In the cities of Paris and Brittany, people are very used to multiple kisses as a mode of greeting. On the other hand, the one-kiss rule pervades in Belgium although people who are above ten years can kiss three times to show their respect. The Italians are not very fond of kissing since it is confined to families and very intimate friends and so is with the Germans.

However, the Britons may be too shy to get physical that's because they settle for a simple handshake as a mode of greeting. Although kissing may be restricted in some way, people from all over the world find the joy of kissing not merely as a method of greeting but more as an expression of love and respect.

Vatican City has such an amazing history as exemplified by the city's basilicas, museums, and palaces that anyone who visits the place is dexterously transported back to the time when papacy had begun. To Catholics around the world, Vatican City does not only mean the papal residence, but more importantly, it is the seat of Roman Catholicism.

It was Emperor Constantine who built Vatican's famous Basilica of St. Peter's in the 5th Century. Later, a papal palace was built near the St. Peter's under the papacy of Pope Symmachus. That was how it all started. But did you know that it was only after 1377 the the Popes started to reside in the city? Until the 14th Century, the papal residence is located in Avignon, France at the Lateran Palace.

The Vatican is not only popular for its grandiose churches and basilicas. The Vatican is also home to the world's most important museums such as Museo Pio-Clementino, Chiaramonti Museum and the Braccio Nuovo. All these three museums contain only the greatest and most expensive art collections. Toady, the Vatican plays a very important part in Catholicism. This is where important decisions are made that gravely affect not only religion, but also in the sphere of politics; science and medicine; and humanity as a whole.

The continent of Europe is considered the 6th largest continent with a total land area of 9,938,000 sq km. It covers about 6.7% of the total landmass of the Earth. It is geographically a division of a larger land mass called Eurasia. Although logically, Europe is not a continent but a subcontinent. Europe is composed 46 countries and dependencies. It has a total population of 727 million as of 2005.

Europe and Asia can be separated by the Ural Mountains, a long system of mountain ranges that run from north to south of the western part of Russia. Another boundary that separates Asia from Europe is the Emba River that flows down to the Caspian Sea, and also the mountains of Caucasus. The boundary also goes through the Black Sea, Bosporus, Marmara Sea and Dardanelles. The Europe-African Boundary is separated by the Mediterranean Sea.

As much as Europe is a peninsula of Eurasia, there are smaller peninsulas that are integrated into Europe. The larger ones are the "mainland Europe" and Scandinavian peninsula (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) . The Smaller ones are Iberia (Spain and Portugal), Italy, and the Balkans.

From a bird's eye view, the city's landscape is covered with stylish buildings, unique architectural ensemble, and of course the distinctly Belgian landmark, the Atomium. It was my first glimpse of Brussels, Belgium’s capital. This city is the best for tourists who simply want to experience not just Belgian chocolate, but the luxury and distinct character of any European city.

There are a lot of things that made my trip to Brussels extra special. It wasn't because I had a great seafood lunch at the L'Ane Vert, a local restaurant located at Rue Royale Ste Marie but because this city is a fusion of nothing but the best about northern culture. It was a 5-night vacation that I will forever cherish. Just the thought of the room at Hôtel Métropole where I stayed in makes me want to come back. The hotel was somewhat antique since it was built in the late 1900s; the lobby greeted me with enchanting Belgian crystal chandeliers lighting up the marble walls carved with Renaissance designs.

On my second day, I craved for Belgian chocolate so my guide took me to Pierre Marcolini to find some of the worlds most expensive pralines. It wasn't long when we headed to the Grand Place to do some ice skating. It's by far the best ice skating rink I’ve seen in my life. There were too many things that i enjoyed doing in Brussels. It was worth the money that I've spent.

This genius named Leonardo da Vinci may well be considered one because he was not only an artist; he was also an engineer, philosopher, architect, and mathematician. He also contributed a great deal to the study of astronomy and anatomy. Although he was born in the great Renaissance period, this man is well beyond his time.

Leonardo was born in Anciano, Italy in April of 1452. His father was a notary and her mother was the daughter of a penniless farmer but his parents did not marry only for the reason that her mother did not come from a wealthy family. Although the little Leonardo was never considered a legitimate son, he was integrated into the family of his father and his first wife since they did not have any children. Leonardo'’s family transferred to Vinci when he was still young. There, he went to school to study. At an early age, Leonardo displayed interest in the sciences. He moved to Florence when he was 14 and worked as an apprentice for a famous artist named Verrocchio. It was here where he nourished his creative mind in painting. It was shortly after his apprenticeship that he began assisting his mentor to do commissioned artworks. And the rest, as they say, is history

Da Vinci is famous for his paintings, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. He also was the first to have thought of the ideas like the helicopter, tank, calculator, etc. But because he was hindered by the backwardness of the technology in his time, most of his brilliant ideas were not feasible. Leonardo's life was a life worth lived. He not only shed light into the darkness but also inspired many with his art. He died in 1519 at Clos Luce, Italy.