Saturday, April 11, 2009

Backpacking to Europe

Well, this is for a long-term planning. Me and my friend have to save our money just to backpack to Europe. Many countries will be our destination, so as a reference, I give you information about the country and its tourism place.


Netherlands-Amsterdam


Source : http://www.iexplore.com

The Netherlands today has dispelled all images of it being an archaic land of clogs and windmills, with its string of exciting cities, including the cosmopolitan capital, Amsterdam – one of Europe’s great cities. Elsewhere, Arnhem, Eindhoven, The Hague, Utrecht and the especially buzzing Rotterdam all boast their own charms.


Away from the cities, the idyllic land of windmills and tulips does still exist in the bucolic splendor of the countryside, as do a number of coastal towns and resorts, many with fine beaches and similarly interesting heritages to The Netherlands’ bigger historical cities.







Luxembourg-Luxembourg City


Source : http://www.luxembourg.co.uk


It is an attractive country with a green and picturesque landscape of rolling hills and valleys, and many closely packed historical sites. Visitors will also discover forests, vineyards and striking sandstone rock formations here. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg shares borders to the north and west with Belgium, to the south with France and to the east with Germany. One-third of the country is made up of the hills and forests of the Ardennes, while the rest is wooded farmland. In the southeast is the rich wine-growing valley of Moselle. The capital, Luxembourg-Ville, is built on a rock overlooking the Alzette and Petrusse valleys.


Belgium-Brugges, Brussels, Antwerp


Source : http://www.iexplore.com

The anachronistic images of ‘boring Belgium’ have been well and truly banished over the last decade as the country promotes its key destinations, along with a string of new attractions. Belgium always had a lot more going for it than the faceless political and bureaucratic buildings that litter its capital, Brussels, with a string of engaging cities in Bruges, Ghent, Liège - and Brussels itself - that offer impressive architecture, lively nightlife, first-rate cuisine and numerous other attractions for visitors. Then there is reinvented Antwerp, now a hotbed of fashion and modern design, and the more bucolic charms of the chocolate box beauty of the mountainous Ardennes region to the east, as well as the sweeping sand of the coastline resorts of the western seaboard.


England-London


Source : http://www.mapsofworld.com

England’s eventful history and scenic diversity render it one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations. It reserves journeys to rolling green hillsides, national parks and to many sophisticated cities. Tourists get to visit castles, palaces and stately homes. The beautiful gardens in Plymouth and Bath are fascinating. The Stonehenge, an ancient stone monument is about 4,000 years old and is a must visit spot for all tourists to England. You must take tour to London, where you get to see famous city landmarks such as Big Ben, Harrods, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle.


Scotland-Edinburgh, Glasgow


Source : http://www.iexplore.com

Scotland is famous primarily for its spectacular scenery, but it also offers a rich historical and cultural heritage, together with a wide range of activities. Scotland’s landscape is as varied as it is beautiful. Rugged peaks sweep down to breathtaking lochs, glistening in remote glens like Glen Affric near Inverness and Loch Trool in Galloway. A straggling coastline, with white sandy beaches, sheltered bays and rocky cliffs, looks out to the remote islands in the Atlantic. To the south, the rolling hills of the Borders, lush lowland pastures and extensive woodlands present a softer beauty.


Ireland-Dublin, Galway, Wicklow Bay


Source : http://www.travelinireland.com/

Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and the twentieth largest in the world. Within its more than 80,000 square kilometers of land are vast lands of scenic views and historic value. This great diversity of land is the perfect backdrop for Ireland’s amazing tourist destinations. Also known as the Emerald Isle for its lush vegetation, the island is divided into two separate nations. In the upper part of the island is Northern Ireland, a constituent nation of the United Kingdom.

Places to see in Belfast include: Belfast City Hall, Botanic Gardens, Queen’s University, Shankill and Falls Roads, Stormont Estate, Harland & Wolff shipyard, Belfast Castle, Belfast Wheel, St. Anne’s Cathedral, and the Ulster Museum. While in the city of Armagh are places like: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Trian, Palace Stables Heritage Centre, Armagh County Museum, Navan Fort, andArmagh Planetarium. The city of Derry, in county Londonderry is also one of the busier cities of Northern Ireland. Famous for its 17th century walls, Derry also has some exciting tourist attractions: Tower Museum, Guildhall, St. Columb’s Cathedral, St. Eugene’s Cathedral and St. Augustine’s Chapel. After Belfast and Derry, the third largest town in Northern Ireland is Bangor, considered as the wealthiest town of the nation. In their marina (the biggest in Ireland) is thePickie Fun Park. Other tourist spots to see here are: the McKee Clock, Bangor Castle, Bangor Abbey, and the coastal walkway to Helens Bay.


Germany-Berlin, Munich, Hamburg


Source : http://www.germany-tourism.de

Experience new things, have fun and relax.Vibrant cities with amazing architecture, fabulous shopping and pulsating nightlife. Enchanting medieval villages and traditional wine villages with friendly festivals and regional specialities. Picturesque countryside which is perfect for walking or simply relaxing in. Castles, palaces and abbeys that are the epitome of German romanticism. Fun & sport, wellness & relaxation. A land of a thousand possibilities. The country has now firmly shaken off the shadows of its 20th century past, regained a sense of national pride, and breathed a sigh of relief at its new-found ability to express its distinctive national character again.

Germany's natural landscapes offer a wealth of options for an unforgettable holiday: long sandy beaches on the coasts and lake shores, enchanting lowland plains, extensive ranges of hills and the high peaks of the Alps. Whether you choose leisurely exploration, a spa or wellness break, or a sports activity on land, on water or in the air, you'll be amazed at what Germany has to offer.


France-Paris, Bordeaux, Nice


Source : http://www.justfrance.org/

France is the most visited country in the world. It has everything that you could ever want to see on your holidays: a great city like Paris, good beaches, more monuments than any other country, lovely nature, incredible mountain scenery. Paris, the city of light and its surroundings are one of the most visited areas. Paris is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. West of France is turned towards the Atlantic Coast. In the north Normandy & Brittany have rolling hills, sandy beaches and quiet little harbour towns.


The eastern part of France consists of the Alsace, Lorraine, Franche Comté and Burgundy regions. The landscape has rolling hills and many beautiful cities, such as Metz, Strasbourg, Nancy and Dijon. This region produces many famous wines, including magnificent pinot noirs and chardonnays valued the world over, as well as the famous "Yellow wine" from the Jura mountain vineyard. The Center of France is in many ways the most quiet part of France. But the great treasure of this region is the Loire valley , with many great castles and beautiful towns. Chartres with its famous cathedral and Tours rate among the most beautiful French cities. The Alps are great for skiing in winter and hiking in summer.

The South with its lovely nature, good food, roman ruins and of course the Riviera draws a lot of visitors every year. Towns like Orange, and Arles but also big cities like Marseille and Toulon are must sees. The Provence is dotted with pleasant small villages. In the South west of France the Dordogne is one of the most quintessential French regions. The valley is so pretty, the towns are so cute and the food is so good, that it is hard to believe that the people who live here go somewhere else for their holidays. The Languedoc has its own language and culture. In the south of the Languedoc you find the Pyrenees, a great mountain range separating France from Spain, where you can hike and ski. The towns of Toulouse and Montpellier are nice and the medieval town of Carcassone is a top destination.


Italy-Milan, Venice, Cinque Terre (Manarola), Rome, Florence, Isle of Capri


Source : http://www.justitaly.org/

Italy is a beautiful country but is one of those countries which you probably have some questions and preconceptions, before your coming to this special country. A place of olive oil, pasta, wine, mafia and sunshine, roman ruins and renaissance palaces, Italy has a lot to give its tourists. Italy is a country full of interesting things for the casual tourist and the educated tourist, it has deep Roman Catholic roots. In the north, next to the Alps and the landscapes of the Po river, many cultural gems and highly developed industrial cities fascinate. In this exciting country the people live the "la vita Italiana".


Venice and Verona are the most famous tourist attractions in the north-east of Italy, maybe you can think about romantic love affairs here. The people can discover easily the beautiful landscapes of Italy, Verona province may be the more fascinating. Many persons say that the north-west of italy is a paradise for every culinary interested traveler. For the people who adore the wine, Piemonte is related with Barolo and Barbaresco, the most famous wines made out of the Nebbiolo grape. Turin is the capital of Piemonte, this city provides more than just a starting point to visit these wine regions. Lots of tourist attractions like museums, modern art, music and book fairs make of this city, one of the notable Italian cities concerning cultural life.


Greece-Athens, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios


Source : http://www.iexplore.com

Often cited as the birthplace of European civilization, Greece offers a heady mix of ancient archaeological sites, chic design hotels, rustic tavernas, family-orientated seaside resorts and hedonistic dance clubs. Ancient Greece reached its zenith in the fifth century BC when Athens became the cultural and artistic center of the Mediterranean, producing magnificent works of architecture, sculpture, drama and literature. There is no denying that the historical and cultural heritage of Greece continues to resonate throughout the modern Western world - in its literature, art, philosophy and politics. In fact, many travelers come here specifically to explore Greece's ancient wonders, from Athens' Parthenon and Delphi's Temple of Apollo, to the ruins of the Minóan city of Knossós on Crete.

Scattered throughout the calm blue waters of the Aegean and the Ionian are Greece's 1,400 islands - each with its own special story. The serenity of islands like Kefalonia and Amorgos contrasts with the hedonistic party islands such as Mykonos and Páros. Those interested in architecture should visit the medieval fortified towns of Rhodes and Corfu (both UNESCO World Heritage sites), and the whitewashed cubic houses of Thira and Oia on Santorini, typical of the Cyclades.



Spain-San Sebastian, Barcelona, Alicante, Seville


Source : http://www.justspain.org/

Spain is more than bullfights, flamenco dancers and crowded beaches. It's a spectacular and diverse country, the north resembling the rolling, green hills of Ireland and the south giving you a taste of Moroccan landscapes and architecture. Its tremendous history is reflected in its prehistoric cave paintings, Moorish palaces, crumbling castles, Roman ruins, Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals as well as some very distinctive modern architecture. The uniqueness of Spain lies in the separate kingdoms which made up the original Spanish nation. These regions remain diverse in their language, culture, cuisine and art. They include: Andalucía, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla León, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra and Valencia. Areas of interest are not limited to each region.


Switzerland-Interlaken, Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich


Source : http://www.iexplore.com

Small, mountainous and wealthy, with a population of just 7.5 million, Switzerland is renowned for its enviable quality of life in a country that ticks along like clockwork. Its products are sought after the world over, from its delicious cheese and chocolate to luxurious watches whose timekeeping is as sharp as a Swiss Army Knife, another popular export from this sophisticated Alpine nation.



Switzerland is not only a place for professionals, though. As a stylish tourist destination it offers such top ski resorts as Zermatt, Verbier and celebrity-studded St Moritz, while the white peaks of mountains set against blue skies make a wonderful backdrop for summertime hiking. The ancient capital of Berne provides superb opportunities for sightseeing, shopping and traditional folk entertainment while the largest city, Zürich leads the way in arts, design and nightlife, from opera and world-class theater to stylish bars and nightclubs.


Czech. Republic-Prague


Source : http://www.iexplore.com

A historic jewel hidden away at the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic packs a lot of punch for such a small country. No bigger than Scotland or South Carolina, it’s crammed with fairytale castles, medieval towns, elegant spa resorts and scenic national parks. And on top of all that, it’s the birthplace of the world’s finest beer.

Almost everyone who visits the Czech Republic goes to Prague, with its imposing castle, great museums and galleries, jazz clubs and concerts and other attractions. Many day trips are possible from here, including the spa resort of Karlovy Vary, the historic towns of Mělník and Kutná Hora, and castles like Karlštejn and Konopiště.


3 comments:

MonkAre said...

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Elly Kusnadi said...

did ye see the picture in Ireland part???

that is cliff of moher,, where westlife - my love video clip taken place in ^^

Hihihi :p

thx anyway for posting this,, kinda clue for me not to stop dreaming..

Ahaaayy.... EUROPE...WE'RE COMING... ^^

Unknown said...

i've travelled to some places, and I decided that europe and indonesia is the real best part of the world..!!! yippieeee