Holiday Destinations in Europe
Vacation Ideas

It was a wood-fired sauna. And each afternoon we would light it and let the rocks that sat on top of the iron stove get good and hot before we ladled on water that we'd brought from the lake.

The feeling of the steam that's come up from the hot rocks and hit the ceiling creeping slowly down your back as you sit there, too hot to move or almost breath. It's one of the most relaxing and comforting feelings that I've ever had.

Combine it with periodic dips in the lake and the permanent daylight of a Finnish summer and you're soon in a half-awake, dreamlike state that you'll never forget.

Start your day at the Naschmarkt, a massive outdoor street market that has everything under the sun. Street entertainers, charismatic vendors, excellent food and great people watching make a visit to the Naschmarkt an unforgettable experience.

In the afternoon you will want to hop on the metro to visit the Schonbrunn Palace. Approaching the palace will take you back several centuries to a time of Castles and Knights. Not to fear though, the palace contains a stunning garden, an acoustic theatre, and a zoo for the little ones.

Last but far from least is an evening trip to St. Peter’s Church, arguably the most beautiful interior of any Church on earth. Thought not the biggest of the ancient Churches of Europe, it certainly makes up for it with its character. A true must see, you will thank me later.

Rome Italy

By Daniel from Chicago - In Italy, history, art, cuisine, and culture exist is fantastic harmony. After days and days of plowing through paperwork in Chicago, I spent a weekend in Rome. Few places embrace visitors with a sense of awe and familiarity - magnificent architecture, rich history, incredible food, and a culture that values the "good life" and tradition.

Exploring Rome is like time-travel. As you walk through narrow cobblestone streets, you pass sections of defensive wall and aqueducts that the Romans built. The layers of stone beneath your feet cover roads that the Romans walked over.

As a Chicago native, I'm used to big cities. But, in Rome, you cannot help but feel amazed walking toward the Arch of Constantine or the Palatine Hill. Wandering about the city, you'll come across restaurants that treat Italian cuisine as a high-art, and every single ingredient and cooking technique have purpose. After all, a lot of their recipes haven't changed in centuries because they're perfect. The flight back to Chicago made me wish I had more time to explore because Rome (and Italy as a whole) offers a lifetime's worth of vacation discoveries.

There is a lovely beach that can be used for a family to have a nice day out or for two lovers to have a nice romantic walk on the beach. After walking on the beach, you could have a nice meal looking out over the ocean. There are a wide variety of restaurants to choose from in this small town from quality seafood to traditional pubs.

Tourists can also enjoy a football match watching one of Wales tops clubs Rhyl F.C. playing. If you have access to a car, there are many great scenic areas just minutes outside of Rhyl. Finally, for the more historic tourists, there are many ancient castles that tourists can view. Some are in fantastic condition while others have seen better days but are still amazing to see.

I had been looking forward to seeing all the well known sights of Paris like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum and Notre Dame Cathedral and I wasn't disappointed. The weather was just perfect in June, neither too hot nor too cold, and was perfect for walking around this cosmopolitan city. Notre Dame was buzzing with people, cameras flashing and there was a lot of noise despite a Mass taking place in the middle of it all!

As I stood on the cobblestones outside this ancient place of worship I thought of what it must have been like for the people of Paris who lived here in the 12th century when the cathedral was being built. The noise going on around me was probably not that different from the sounds then – except for the honking car horns of course. French drivers are not the most patient.

Traveling by Metro was an experience. In any big city, the locals always seem to know where they are going and have no time for dawdlers so I had to make sure I bought my carnet de billets (book of 10 tickets) in advance to avoid holding up the business of the capital!

On one journey, a man jumped on the train with a microphone and a large box. He plugged in his microphone, pressed some buttons and proceeded to sing that famous Edith Piaf song, “Je ne regrette rien.”

Everyone joined in and I was sorry when I had to get off at the next stop! French cuisine, heartily recommended by Julia Child, was also on my “must try” list. It was a question of “so many restaurants, so little time” so I decided that instead of going to the Champs Elysee or the Rue de Rivoli, I would look out for eating establishments full of locals and not full of tourists.

Again, I was not disappointed. A particular highlight was finding Bouillon Chartier, near the Grands Boulevards in the 9th arrondissement. A former soup kitchen for the poor of Paris at the turn of the century, it is now the haunt of a huge cross-section of the population in the area.

The waiters were friendly and helpful and when you give them your order they write it down on the tablecloth in front of you. Service was quick and the food, while not haute cuisine, was simple but delicious. The bill is then calculated on the tablecloth and you can take it away as a souvenir.

I want to go to Paris again. There is just so much to do and see. It’s not called the City of Light for nothing! Paris is one of the great holiday destinations in Europe.

Return from Holiday Destinations in Europe to Best Places to Visit in Europe

Return from Holiday Destinations in Europe to 1001 Vacation Ideas Home