Tyler's 40th Birthday EUROPEAN SPECTACULAR

The capital city of Belgium, Brussels also serves as the administrative center of the European Union. With its beautiful squares and parks, medieval streets, notable monuments, and active cultural life, the city is a historic treasure.

Brussels is a mix of French and Flemish culture, and while French and Dutch are the official languages, English is spoken by many residents as well. The city’s different architectural styles include art nouveau and art deco houses to Gothic cathedrals. And a journey to Africa isn’t far away in Matonge, the African quarter of Brussels.

The heart of the city is the Grand-Place, a market square consisting of 17th century buildings. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Brussels is a city for shopping, café culture, great restaurants and heavenly chocolate. You just may have to bring an extra bag to carry all your new treasures home!

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, full of impressive architecture, lovely canals that criss-cross the city, great shopping and friendly people (who nearly all speak English). There is something for every traveler’s taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.

The city is known for its historic port, the sprawling Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the beautiful concentric canals, and the red-light district (De Wallen) and its liberal coffee shops (which sell cannabis). Other attractions include the Van Gogh Museum, the old Heineken Brewery and NEMO, the largest science center in the Netherlands.

During the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam was one of the most important ports in the world, and it became the leading center for finance and diamonds.

The city was founded in the late 12th century as a small fishing village, and has grown to become the largest city in the Netherlands with a population comprised of 177 different nationalities, which makes Amsterdam the most multicultural city in the world.

Text courtesy of Wikipedia and Wikitravel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam; http://wikitravel.org/en/Amsterdam

The Red-Light district, or De Wallen as it is called in Dutch, is one of Amsterdam's oldest neighborhoods (and specializing in the world's oldest profession). Although walking around the red light district can feel a bit voyeuristic, it is proof of Amsterdam's liberality and social tolerance and merits a quick tour. The area, which operates at all hours, is its most vibrant at night, when both customers and tourists come out to walk the streets. Red lights line the windows facing the canal, where women stand in order to advertise to their clientèle. (Note: it is illegal to take pictures or video of the windows.) The streets surrounding the Red-Light district also offer shopping and theatres, as well as a museum devoted to erotica.

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany's largest federal state (by area). Munich is notable for its architecture and culture, and its annual Oktoberfest beer celebration is world-famous.

However, Munich citizens don't want their city to be known only for its beer, and point out that the Bavarian kings helped Munich become a major center of arts and science in the 19th century. Munich still remains one of Germany's best destinations for art, and has been home to many famous writers, artists, architects and musicians.

Munich is one of Germany's top tourist destinations, owing much to its location. It is within easy driving distance of the Alps, the Czech Republic, Italy and the Mediterranean, Austria and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. Add to its benefits beautiful architecture, (especially Baroque and Rococo), green countryside, the second-largest university in Germany, top-notch museums and the greatest beer culture on the planet, and Munich becomes a city not to be missed.

More than just a company museum! Located next to the enormous BMW Tower (built in 1970-73) which dominates Munich's northern skyline with its characteristic four-cylindrical shape, this museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the different eras of motorized transport. Opened in 1966, the museum also serves to illustrate the unrivaled success story of the BMW concern. The permanent exhibition Zeithorizonte is on display since 1991. BMW lovers, come indulge!

Prague, the stunning capital city of the Czech Republic, has become a gem of European tourism. The modern city still retains its medieval city center, complete with cobblestone streets and twisting, narrow alleyways where you’ll find a mix of hip and traditional bars and pubs. One of the city’s most famous landmarks is Prague Castle and Hradcany; originally constructed in the 9th century, it’s the world’s largest ancient castle. Prague’s world-renowned arts scene features a wealth of fine museums including the magnificent National Museum. And don’t forget to check out Prague’s lively music scene; it won’t be hard to find—jazz clubs and year-round festivals are plentiful. 

Regarded by many as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Budapest (the “Paris of the East” and the “Queen of the Danube”) is fast becoming one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, attracting approximately 20 million visitors per year.

Comprised of two very different cities, Buda on the west bank of the Danube River and Pest on the east bank, Budapest offers travelers a Viennese aura at roughly half the price. Still, it is unique in its own right. Hungarians are proud of what this ancient capital has to offer and its contributions to European culture, especially in the field of music—a language one doesn't need to speak to appreciate.

Today’s Budapest is by far the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city in Hungary. In 1987, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the cultural and architectural significance of the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue. Most of Budapest’s famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown Pest and along the riverside walkways.

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city and its cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosporus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both literally and figuratively.

Founded by Constantine the Great on the site of ancient Byzantium, Istanbul (then Constantinople) was the capital, successively, of the Eastern Roman Empire (324-476), the Byzantine Empire (476-1453) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). This almost unrivalled heritage, as well as its dynamic modern existence, makes Istanbul a fantastic destination for travelers of all stripes.

Most of Istanbul's sights are concentrated in the old city on the peninsula of Sultanahmet, to the west of the Bosporus. The foremost tourist attraction is the Hagia Sophia, originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Byzantine engineering, its huge dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. Other must-visit destinations include: Topkapi Palace, the imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries; Sultanahmet Mosque, the "Blue Mosque" that still functions today; the Basilica Cistern, a giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532; and the Hippodrome, the ancient center of Roman and Byzantine Constantinople.

While you're there, be sure to indulge in a visit to a hamam, or Turkish bath, and at least a few puffs of a narghile, or hookah.

Madrid is the capital of Spain and is located on the Manzanares River. The city is considered by many as the world center of bullfighting.

Aside from its famed bullfighting hosted at the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Madrid is known for its array of art museums such as Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Musem), which includes exhibits that display the city’s cultural and artistic heritage. Madrid is also famous for its architectural art, like the Palacio Real de Aranjuez, which houses a collection of medieval weapons and armor.

Other major tourist attractions include Puerta del Sol, the Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Colón. To purchase some traditional crafts or artwork, walk along the upscale shops on Gran Vía, which is one of the main shopping streets in Madrid. Or ride a Segway (personal transport device) past the chic restaurants and historical buildings along the streets of Madrid on a Madseg tour.

Located on the characteristic rock of Positano, the Best Western Hotel Pasitea is a perfect example of Mediterranean architecture with its masonry, lava stone and wrought iron furnishing. Completely renovated, the hotel has a typical terrace-structure, rooms with air-conditioning, satellite television and individual balconies overlooking the sea. All rooms face a marvelous seaside landscape and the suites have a sea-view Jacuzzi. The Best Western Hotel Pasitea also a very particular Wine Bar, where it is possible to have dinner, tasting the best products of the Italian gastronomy, taken by a qualified selection of national wines. The Bar service is open 24-hours and the hotel also has private parking, charge will apply.

Clinging to the cliff, this charming villa is well loved for its Italian charm, its homey restaurant, and its owners, the Cinque family. Rooms have high ceilings, bright fabrics, tile flooring, and sunny terraces or balconies overlooking the sea and coastline. Cars cannot drive to the doorway, but porters will ferry your luggage. It is only 300 steps down to the main beach. Additional Information: Children age 0 and under stay free in the room with parents and in existing bedding. Children age 1 to 12 pay 50 pct. Children over this age will be considered an adult.

Naples is the capital of the Campania region in Italy and the largest city in Southern Italy. It was founded between the 7th and 6th centuries BC by the Greeks and was named Neapolis, which means "new city." Because of its vast artistic heritage, the historic center of Naples was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Although Naples is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and rich in history and monuments, it is sometimes overlooked by mass tourism and is less visited than other Italian cities. There are, however, many tourist attractions within the city, including 448 historical churches.

Naples is the birthplace of pizza, home to the infamous Mount Vesuvius volcano and is an Italian musical hotspot. The territory of Naples (particularly the iconic sight of the gulf of Naples), coupled with its colorful folklore, make the city one of the most powerful symbolic images of Italy abroad.