Europe
Regions & Countries-
Eastern Europe- Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Ukraine
Northern Europe- Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, England, Wales
Southern Europe- Albania, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Greece, Vatican City State, Italy, Rep of Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey
Western Europe- Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland
Eastern Europe- Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Ukraine
Northern Europe- Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, England, Wales
Southern Europe- Albania, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Greece, Vatican City State, Italy, Rep of Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey
Western Europe- Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland
Bucket List Choices-
The Northern Lights 'Aurora Borealis'
The northern lights of the Artic regions are one of nature’s greatest sights. Mysterious and wondrous swirls of colour that light up the night sky.
The lights are caused by the collision of particles from the sun with atmospheric gases that are driven towards the poles by the earth’s magnetic field. The Northern Lights are only visible in the Northern hemisphere but the lights do have a southern counterpart known as the 'Aurora Australis'.
The best places to go to spot this natural phenomenon are Iceland, northern Scandinavia, Canada or Alaska. The best time of year to go is from September to early April, although October to November and February to March are considered the optimum periods.
The strength of auroral activity runs in 11-year cycles and 2012/2013 falls into this peak time, "Solar Maximum", don't worry if you haven't managed a trip yet as it is also thought that the latter half of this year will be good viewing.
The lights are caused by the collision of particles from the sun with atmospheric gases that are driven towards the poles by the earth’s magnetic field. The Northern Lights are only visible in the Northern hemisphere but the lights do have a southern counterpart known as the 'Aurora Australis'.
The best places to go to spot this natural phenomenon are Iceland, northern Scandinavia, Canada or Alaska. The best time of year to go is from September to early April, although October to November and February to March are considered the optimum periods.
The strength of auroral activity runs in 11-year cycles and 2012/2013 falls into this peak time, "Solar Maximum", don't worry if you haven't managed a trip yet as it is also thought that the latter half of this year will be good viewing.
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Enjoy a train ride in style aboard the Orient Express- Journeys aboard the Orient Express have always conjoured images of luxury, glamour, mystery and romance. The original Orient Express passenger train service ran from 1883 to 2009. Now the Orient Express Hotel group run the Venice-Simplon Orient Express which uses original carriages on its trains. There are a number of different journeys and destinations you can enjoy onboard the legendary Orient Express, including the original journey from Paris to Istanbul and the Classic journey from London to Venice. There are also UK day trips available on the sister trains 'The British Pullman' and 'Northern Belle'.
Go skiing in the Alps- The Alps are a great mountain range in Europe. They span over France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Liechtenstein and Monaco. Mount Blanc is the highest point and this is in France. During the winter season (November/December- April) the area is very popular with skiiers, snowboarders and winter sports enthusiasts. There are many resorts and hundreds of hotels to chose from to meet your needs, preference, budget, and ability. Paris- Paris is the capital of France and is known as the city of romance. Whether you are there for a short city break or a longer holiday there are a few must do/see activities. Including a trip up the Eiffel Tower, a boat cruise along the Seine, watching a Moulin Rouge show, a visit to the Louvre Museum, a wonder round the magnificant gothic cathedral the Notre-Dame de Paris, and shopping along the Champs-Elysees. Visit the Jurassic Coast, on the Dorset and East Devon Coast- The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the coast of southern England. This unique site stretches for 95 miles and represents 185 million years of earths history as the rocks are from three geological time periods, the Triassic, Jurassic, and the Cretaceous. Explore the dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, coastal stacks and barrier beaches and see the famous landmarks including Durdle Door, Old Harry, Ladram Bay and Lulworth Cove. London- Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Westminster Abbey, St Pauls Cathedral, the River Thames, West End Theatres, Hyde Park, the O2, Camden, Borough Market, Covent Garden, Trifalgar Square, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, premier shopping, restaurants and bars, see all this and more when visiting Englands Capital City. Relax in the Blue Lagoon, Iceland- The Blue Lagoon is a unique geothermal spa in south west Iceland. Set in the Icelandic landscape relaxing in these steamy waters is one of the most popular and visited attractions in Iceland. Take a hot air balloon ride accross Cappadocia, Turkey- This area in Turkey is best known for its unique landscape. Amongst the valleys, canyons and hills you will see the unusual rock formations, created over many years by erosion, known as the 'Fairy Chimneys'. Also take time to explore the underground cities and houses carved into the rock. Explore the Czech Republic both in and outside of Prague- Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city boasts grand gothic architecture, Baroque cathedrals, romantic palaces and wonderful gardens. But there is more to see in this enchanting country. There are hundreds of castles and chateux to view and just about an hour outside of Prague you will find Karlstejn, a castle thought to be the finest in the Czech Republic. Rome, Italy- Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. Within Rome is the worlds smallest state, the Vatican. Rome is full of heritage and sights, and this makes it one of Europe's most famous and visited capitals. The major attractions include Fontana Di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), the Colosseum, St Peters Basilica, Spainish Steps, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Vatican museum. Scottish Highlands- The Highlands are a beautiful region full of history in Northern Scotland. Spanning from Argyll & the Isles and Perthshire right up to Sutherland and the islands of Orkney and Shetland. They cover an area that is not heavily populated due to the vast mountain ranges that doninate the landscape. Famous points of interest here include Ben Nevis, Loch Ness, Balmoral Castle and the Cairngorm National Park. The awe inspiring natural beauty of this region is not to be missed. Dublin and beyond, Ireland- From enjoying a pint at the Guiness Storehouse with the charming Dubliners, to the wild and remote coast of Connemara, from the historic Derry (UK City of Culture 2013) to the impressive Giants Causeway, this small country has a diverse range of sights, sounds and experiences. Venice- Venice is located in northeastern Italy. It is situated on the Venetian lagoon with over a hundred other small islands that are seperated by canals and linked by bridges. This charming city is one of a kind. As the worlds only pedestrian city it is easy to walk around, but as this city is so associated with the waterways and canals that surround it, it must also be viewed from them. A gondola is an expensive way to travel, but it is an icon of Venice. There are also water buses (vaporetto) and cheap ferries accross the Grand Canal (traghetto). |
Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast
Cappadocia, Turkey
The Colosseum, Rome
The Scottish Highlands
Venice, Italy
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