Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, one of the most peaceful and prosperous countries in the world. Although some may see the entire country as a little bit 'off the beaten path' Copenhagen is actually one of Europe's top tourist destinations, and the city is well-geared towards helping visitors get the most out of their trip.
Madrid has always been a hotbed of culture. Many are not aware that the name of the city has its roots in Moorish culture, or that its famous nighttime marchas are inspired by the gypsy and flamenco culture of Spain. Visiting the city, you will be surprised at just how many layers there really are to Madrid.
Barcelona is the capital of the nation-within-a-nation that is the Catalunya region, Spain. Unlike its more flamboyant and overt southern counterpart, Madrid, Barcelona has a distinctly understated and reserved charm. This quiet good taste is belied only by the surreal and breathtaking power of the Gaudi and Dali influences that pepper the city – oases of chaotic genius in a sea of delicate good manners.
Essen has – like so many German cities – seen an almost revolutionary turnaround from a grey, industrial blandness to a thriving commercial and cultural center. There are an abundance of attractions here, including casually mentioned works by Van Gogh at the Folkwang Museum, but one of the simplest, and most fun stops on the itinerary is to take a whirl around the yearly Essen On Ice public rink.
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Known as being one of the most beautiful baroque cities in Europe, Vienna is the capital and the largest city of Austria. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, the historical city is the cultural, political, and economical center of Austria and is visited by thousands of people each year.
Unlike its slightly friendlier sister city St Petersburg, Moscow is still very much the stronghold of political and military Russia. The most impressive sight in the city is Red Square. The name is not as many think, a reference to communism, but is instead a more poetic play on the double meaning of the Russian word for red, which can also mean 'beautiful'.
Visitors to today's Bucharest will miss out on the chaotic, and expensive, entertainment of figuring out the 'foreigners prices' and the 'locals prices.' This was a time when visitors were cheerfully fleeced for every possible penny – to the point where a foreign-born spouse of a Romanian was charged double for the same bed in the same hotel on the same night. Welcome to Bucharest, a city of contrasts.
Manchester is a broad mix of styles, some of them pretty contradictory. From the working-class, brawling city of soccer to the dance music revolution that created the modern version of the Summer of Love in 1989's warehouses to today's eclectic mix of arts, culture, dirty alleyways and soccer, Manchester is a place you simply have to visit once in a lifetime.
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Sicily sits at the center of the Mediterranean, seemingly kicked by the boot of Italy. The southeastern city of Siracusa at one time rivaled Athens in power, and still retains the slight aloofness that greatness brings. The exception to this is in December, when the whole island lets its hair down for the biggest religious holiday of the year: Santa Lucia day is for prayer, parties, and making best friends with strangers.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, the tiny country that is bordered by France, Germany and the Netherlands. Brussels is the powerhouse of political control in Europe and widely considered the unofficial capital of the European Union. It is also the capital of the world's chocolate-making industry.
Krakow has grown to become the second most important city in Poland, behind the capital Warsaw, largely thanks to the authorities' heavy investment in the tourism industry. While they have managed to shake the hordes of 'stag' groups, the attraction of low costs and a casual attitude to life is still drawing budget travelers.
If ever you have watched a movie that is set in the rolling hills, quaint villages and lush vineyards of Southern France and thought 'places like that don't really exist' then you have never been to Bordeaux. This is the capital city of the Girone department of France, in the region of Aquitaine, and is the perfect blend of authentic French living, English-speaking expatriates, modern conveniences and old-world tempo.
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