Much of northern Spain belongs to Castile-Leon, an autonomous region surrounded by mountains. Architectural gems like the Romanesque stonework of Segovia's city walls, the Gothic Burgos Cathedral and the dramatic Baroque square in Salamanca are complemented by the area's natural beauty. Parque Natural de las Hoces del Rio Duraton is marked with deep gorges and shelters many birds of prey, while Parque Natural del Lago de Sanabria y alrededores contains the largest glacier lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula.
Distinctive architecture, sun-drenched resorts and eclectic small towns dot Andalusia, a dry, mountainous region of southern Spain that maintains echoes of its Moorish occupation. Spring and fall bring balmy temperatures, ideal for visiting Seville's cathedral, the world's largest Gothic structure, and the 1,200-year-old mosque in Córdoba. Romantics love Granada, home to the fortress of Alhambra and an inspiration to the late poet Federico García Lorca. Don't miss a dip in the sea along the Costa del Sol.
From sun-drenched archipelagos and bustling urban cities to snowcapped mountains and semi-arid deserts, Spain epitomizes geographical diversity. As the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, this vast country offers some of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes, as well as some of its tastiest cuisine.
Discover the best Cottages in Thuringia including Hainichhofe Premium Chalets, Hainichhofe Premiumchalets, Riverdam Hotel & Steakhouse, Villa Phonix, Werrapark Resort Ferienhausanlage Am Sommerberg.
Discover the best Cottages in Saxony-Anhalt including See- und Waldresort Grobern, Landpension-Kleeblatt, Alandblick, Pension Am Buhnenkopf, Gasthof & Pension Hause, Pension am Berg, Zur Eselwiese Sandau, Pension Haus Rodenstein.
Like catnip for culture lovers, Saxony beckons visitors to eastern Germany with museums, musical events and artisans. The state capital, Dresden, is home to the restored Frauenkirche church and the eye-popping Zwinger museum, both showcases of 18th-century Baroque architecture. Music reigns in Leipzig, where Bach and Mendelssohn's former residences are now museums. Visit Meissen for its wines and signature porcelain. Castles adorn the central Saxony landscape, inspiring hiking and cycling tours.
Romantic Rhineland-Palatinate is at the very heart of Riesling production in Germany, home to the largest wine regions in the country. The state is defined by lush vineyards, quaint medieval villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites, picturesque castles, volcanic lakes and wine-rich valleys. Its sylvan forests and rising mountains provide the perfect backdrop to a summer hike, bike ride or wine tasting adventure, while its cities and towns are alive with cultural activities and festivals.
The most populous (with 18 million people) and westernmost (bordering Belgium and the Netherlands) of Germany's federal states, North Rhine-Westphalia is one of Europe's most highly industrialized areas, with an impressive 30 cities of more than 100,000. Cologne is the district's biggest city, and the capital is Dusseldorf. Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, is also here. All three are part of the Rhine-Ruhr region of nearly 12 million people, one of Europe's biggest metropolitan areas.
Discover the best Cottages in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania including Ostsee-Gutshaus, ALLES PALETTI Karls Upcycling Hotel, Ferienwohnanlage Schwabe mit Schwimmbad, Ferienpark Fleether Muehle, Pension Fennert, Gasthof Blaues Haus, Gutshaus Lexow, Mecklenburger Hof, Waldsiedlung Waschsee.
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Known for its beer, sausages, Oktoberfest and lederhosen, Bavaria is Germany’s largest federal state and one of its most popular tourist destinations. It's also one of the most independent-minded regions. Home to cities like Munich (the capital) and Nuremberg, Bavaria is also cherished for its hilly countryside, where such gorgeous sites as Hohenschwangau Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle (the model for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland) and Linderhof and HerrenChiemsee Palaces can be found.
The third-largest of Germany’s 16 provinces both in terms of size and population, Baden-Wurttemberg in the country’s southwest borders both France and Switzerland and is home to the Black Forest, Heidelberg, Mannheim and Stuttgart. In many areas, residents speak Swabian (Schwäbisch) or Badisch, dialects so strong that speakers of standard German can find them difficult to understand. With over 40 million annual overnight stays, Baden-Wurttemberg is second only to Bavaria in terms of visitors.
From the fairy-tale castles and medieval villages of Bavaria to the Rhine Valley's UNESCO-listed landscapes and the storied monuments of Berlin, Germany has many faces. Steeped in history, cities like Cologne, Frankfurt, and Hamburg are also among the coolest cultural hubs in Europe.
Provence in southeastern France is divided into six departments and stretches from Orange to Nice. Many consider the Luberon in Vaucluse to be the "real Provence." Gently sloping vineyards and lavender fields are the backdrops that enthralled Cezanne, Van Gogh and Chagall. An excellent train network makes travel between cities easy. To explore villages, drive or catch a bus. Particular highlights include Palace of the Popes at Avignon, the Roman amphitheatre at Arles and the craft center of Les Baux.
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Wide beaches along the "Flower Coast" attract families and those commemorating the D-Day landings of 1944. Inland, cattle graze in rural idylls and pre-WWII buildings stand alongside modern architecture. Rent a car or take tours from Caen or Bayeux. The landscape around his home in Giverny inspired Monet's Water Lilies, and summer's profusion of blooms is quite lovely. Don't miss Rouen's old town and cathedral, Caen's cathedral, Bayeaux's tapestry and the ancient island-abbey of Mont-St-Michel.
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