Big Trip

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom or the U.K.) is a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe.

The Union comprises four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It occupies all of the island of Great Britain, the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland and most of the remaining British Isles. It counts Ireland, France, Belgium and Netherlands as its nearest neighbors. The Isle of Man and the various Channel Islands are "crown dependencies," linked to the United Kingdom by various ties and mutual obligations but not part of it (or of the European Union). Gibraltar is a British territory within the E.U., with its own autonomous government.

The U.K. today is a diverse patchwork of native and immigrant cultures, possessing a fascinating history and dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential in the wider world. Although Britannia no longer rules the waves, the U.K. is still a popular destination for many travellers. The capital city of the United Kingdom (and the largest city) is London.

London is the capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, and is the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in southeast England, London is historically one of the great world cities and remains a global capital of politics, culture, fashion, trade and finance. London will serve as the host city for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

London boasts a vast number of attractions for the traveler. Among the most famous are Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster (including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament) in Westminster. Shoppers can head to Portobello Road, which claims to be the world’s largest antiques market, for antiques, souvenirs and other knick-knacks or simply a walk through time.

London has a large variety of shows from fringe to Broadway-like musicals and productions. The West End district is where you’ll find the last type, with famous imported Broadway shows and some very good local productions.

The Netherlands is a country in Western Europe facing the North Sea and the United Kingdom, and bordered on land by Germany and Belgium. The people, language and culture of the Netherlands are referred to as “Dutch.” The Netherlands is administratively divided into 12 provinces (provincies). The western part (Holland) is the most industrialized and about half of the population lives in and around this area.

The Netherlands is popularly known for its windmills, cheese, clogs, delftware and Gouda pottery, dikes, tulips, bicycles and social tolerance. A Parliamentary democracy, the country is also known for its somewhat liberal policies toward drugs, prostitution and gay rights.

The Netherlands has many cities and towns of interest to travelers. Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands with impressive architecture, lovely canals and great shopping. 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. Other notable places include Almere, Delft, Haarlem, The Hague and Rotterdam.

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

Germany (or Deutschland in the home language) is a country in Central Europe and a founding member of the European Union. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Germany has numerous cities of interest to tourists. The top seven urban travel destinations are: Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. Due to its size and location in central Europe, Germany boasts a large variety of different landscapes. In general, the country's climate is mild and humid. Forests are a dominant natural feature in Germany, and these are very important to the country’s culture and folklore. Germany’s top natural tourist destinations include: the Baltic Sea Coast, the Rhine Valley, the Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps.

Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has borders with France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Germany to the north. Switzerland is known for its polite and efficient people, and the crisp, clean beauty of the landscape.

Switzerland is renowned  for its awe-inspiring mountains (Alps in the south, Jura in the northwest) but also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 15,203 feet while Lake Maggiore (on the Italian border) is only 640 feet above sea level. The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude. Switzerland has cold, cloudy, precipitation-laden winters and warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.

Besides the magnificent landscapes, mild climate and quaint, clean cities and towns, Switzerland is known for its neutrality in world affairs. It is considered an extremely safe and pleasant place to travel.

Poland is a central European country, known both for its grand cities and natural beauty. From its Baltic Sea coastline to its mountanous interior, Poland has a wealth of activities for every traveler.

Warsaw, Poland’s capital, is well known for its monuments. Visit the Old Town, rebuilt after World War II, to view Gothic churches, the Royal Castle, St. John’s Cathedral and the old city ramparts. Krakow holds an ancient church, St. Adalbert’s, from the 10th century—just one of a wealth of beautiful buildings from different architectural periods. The cosmopolitan city of Gdansk lures artists the world over.

Outdoors enthusiasts will enjoy Poland’s 23 national parks, which cover everything from mountain ranges and highlands to lakes, rivers, and the Baltic coastline. The country’s focus on environmental protection has aided in preserving an area of the European primeval forest, known as the Bialowieska Forest.

Israel (Hebrew: Yisra'el), officially the State of Israel (Hebrew: Medinat Yisra'el), is a country in Southwest Asia located on the southeastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It has borders with Lebanon in the north, Syria and Jordan in the east and Egypt on the southwest, and contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area. The West Bank and Gaza Strip, which are partially administrated by the Palestinian National Authority, are also adjacent. With a population of about 7.2 million, the majority of whom are Jews, Israel is the world's only Jewish state. It is also home to Arab Muslims, Christians and Druze, as well as other religious and ethnic minority groups. Jerusalem is the nation's capital, seat of government and largest city.

Text courtesy of Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel

Welcome to Greece—birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games and major theater genres. Visitors to the Mediterranean marvel at the ruins of Ancient Greece, such as the Parthenon, and trek across Europe’s most mountainous, hilly region to view elaborate monasteries and Mount Olympus.

From the ancient civilizations of the Minoans and Myceneans and the wars that formed the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Greece expanded, as did its reputation as a major cultural center for the development of modern theater techniques like tragedy and drama. A recent member of the European Union, Greece increased its international profile by hosting the 2004 Olympic Games in its capital city, Athens.

Bask in the glow of the Mediterranean sun during the area’s hot, dry summers or get your feet wet during its moist winters. Stop by the island of Mykonos, one of Europe’s most-visited areas, thanks to its unique architecture. Trace the roots of Greek Orthodoxy with a visit to a monastery, such as the Agia Triada that James Bond made famous.

Finally, you can Go Greek without stamping letters on your derriere.

Italy (Italia) is a large country in Southern Europe. It is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites anywhere—art and monuments abound throughout the country. Italy is also famous worldwide for its cuisine, fashion, wine, luxury sports cars and motorcycles; as well as for its beautiful coasts, lakes and mountains (the Alps and Apennines).

Italy has a number of world-famous cities, among them Rome, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Turin, Venice and Verona. All are spectacular in their own right. Other popular destinations around Italy include Tuscany, the islands of Capri and Sicily, Vatican City and the Italian Alps.

Spain is a diverse country in Mediterranean Europe, sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands off the African coast. It shares land borders with Portugal, France, Andorra, the British colony of Gibraltar and Morocco. With an area of about 314,000 square miles, Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe (behind France).

Spain is a country with an extremely rich cultural and historical background, due in large part to the fact that—at various points in its history—it was ruled by three separate cultural and religious groups: Muslims (Moors), Jews and Christians. Spain also boasts a beautiful and varied landscape, full of mountains, beaches and vineyards. Spain’s cities are world-famous, and include the thriving capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona, Pamplona with its annual bull-running, and the city where flamenco flourishes, Sevilla (which also boasts the world’s largest gothic cathedral). Historic Granada, home to the Alhambra, and Córdoba, home to La Mezquita, are also popular travel destinations.

With wonderful food, wine (and sherry) and some of Europe’s most vibrant festivals—including Las Fallas in Valencia, Carnaval in Cadiz (the oldest city in Western Europe) and La Feria de Abril in Sevilla—there is never a dull moment in Spain.

France is a country located in Western Europe. France borders Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy to the southeast and Spain to the southwest across the Pyrenees mountain range. (The small country of Andorra lies between France and Spain.) The Mediterranean Sea lies to the south of France, with the Principality of Monaco forming a small enclave. To the west, France boasts a long Atlantic Ocean coastline; while to the north is the English Channel, across which lies France's final neighbor, England.

France is the world's most popular tourist destination (78 million visitors in 2006), with dozens of major tourist attractions, including Paris, Côte d'Azur (the French Riviera), the Castles of Loire Valley, Brittany and Mont Saint Michel. It is also famous for its beautiful Atlantic beaches and winter sport resorts in the Alps. France is further renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion.