Romantic Itineraries of the Old Continent
Europe is a great travel destination overall solely based on the proximity of everything and it would be a real shame not to take advantage of this remarkable gift of geography. While taking a stroll through the capital of any country it is quite possible, as it should, in a matter of hours to get to all the interesting places, visiting which will make any ordinary travel a true adventure.
Paris – Marseille
The unspoken capital of the lovers, Paris will flash the brightest lights only to those who come to the city to indulge in the joys of life. Do not think about how many sites you will have the time to visit, do not stand in a crowded line to get to the Eiffel Tower, do not make plans for the evening – just let the city pull you into the abyss of street cafes, little wine and cheese shops and magnetic showcases at the Champs Elysees.
It will only take you a couple of hours to realize that the true happiness is not in looking at the chimeras in the Notre Dame cathedral (although you shouldn’t probably skip it either), but to lazily sip coffee in a small square located in the old district or listen to the artists talk about Chagall and Van Gogh in Montmartre.
To make leaving Paris a little easier, get some famous roasted chestnuts – just enough to kill three hours in a high-speed train on the way to Marseille.
Marseille instantly stuns a visitor with the energy of a major port, but the real attraction here is the cuisine. The best herbs of Provence, fresh seafood and fragrant olive oil – all these ingredients are put into true culinary masterpieces in the coastal kitchens. Do not miss out on trying the famous Marseille fish soup bouillabaisse.
Brussels – Bruges
Making Brussels the business capital of Europe played a cruel joke with the city: nowadays it is primarily perceived as a place of the EU headquarters rather than a tourist attraction. Regrettably, there is some truth in it – the historical part of town is pretty much gone, making way for office buildings, but a thoughtful tourist will definitely find impressive things in Brussels besides architecture.
For example, you can be inspired by the fact that the city is a home to some very unexpected things – praline, French fries, waffles and even comic books. But although comic books can be found in any other city, you will be hard pressed to find waffles as delicious as they are in Brussels.
The city is also trying to claim the title of beer capital of the world: it seems like all the adult population is crazy about trying to come up with new varieties of beer – for example, with the taste of berries or with a citrus scent. Such a variety of beverages will not leave you bored, however if you are seeking for more intellectual type of entertainment, a short train trip to Bruges will be in order.
The guidebooks, proclaiming it “Little Venice” are not telling the whole story. The stone town that was erected on the shores of manmade canals, Bruges was once a major seaport, but eventually lost the strategic importance. At first, the tourists will revere the surrounding antiquity, but once gotten used to it, they without any thrills climb the Belfry tower to observe Bruges from above.
Oslo – Bergen
The first thing that strikes a traveler in Norway is frighteningly high standards of living, and as a consequence, sky – high prices for the most innocuous products and services. But all the thoughts about the budget pale in comparison to the fantastic beauty of this country. Compared to other European capitals, Oslo may seem a bit stringent, but there is some fire to this city. The real pulse is best felt on the waterfront – the life of the Norwegians for centuries has been closely connected with the sea, so the harbor has historically served as a center of social life, commerce and entertainment.
Walking along the shore you can grab a fresh roll with the legendary salmon stuffing, look at some freshly caught shrimp or sample herrings, cooked in a thousand ways.
But do not linger in Oslo for too long – Bergen, the second largest and the most beautiful city in the country is waiting for you.
Do not substitute the seven hour train ride for a faster flight: Oslo – Bergen railway route is among the top ten most beautiful in the world. Perhaps this is the only train in the world where no one is trying to guess crossword puzzles: all the passengers are busy observing waterfalls, glaciers, herds of sheep and wild deer.
In a little while you will reach Bergen – Norway’s former capital and now the country’s main gateway to the fjords. Cruise offers that promise an unforgettable journey by sea should not distract you from the main tourist highlights of Bergen – the medieval waterfront with brightly colored wooden houses – it is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Edinburg – Inverness
Having gone through the trouble of getting there, you will be rewarded with a vacation in one of the most interesting parts of the world, characterized by the treacherous weather (temperatures in Scotland, even in summer months, do not exceed 20C), rich history (it is very easy to stumble upon a castle or an ancient fortress), and natural treasures (like the famous Loch Ness).
Three days is usually plenty to explore the Old Town, check out the local pubs etc, then get a bus or train ticket and head to the north – to the city of Inverness.
The town is noteworthy by itself – with numerous castles turned hotels and picturesque parks, but the main lure of the area is located not far from Inverness – Loch Ness, the murky waters of which have tickled the imagination of tourists for years. A must visit is a local museum – numerous photos and videos in the exhibition are supposed to show the tourists what science cannot yet prove.
