Map of Lithuania

Lithuania is known to be a country with colorful history. Located at the eastern part of Europe, the country has successfully shoved between the Russian pillar and Nazi post; stunning the world, having won its independence from Soviet Union.

Geography

The map of Lithuania shows that it is located on the coast of Baltic Sea. It is divided into four regions: the highlands which is located in the northeast and central part of the country; the lowlands in the west, southeast and the southwest.

Vilnius is the capital city which is located in the south western part of the country.

People

The people in Lithuania are called Lithuanians although there are other races like Polish and Russians who has permanently moved to the country. Their dialects are Russian, Polish and other unspecified languages but the majority speaks Lithuanian which is the official dialect in the country. Their religion also varies, most of them are Roman Catholic, others are Russian Orthodox, and some are Protestants and other unknown religions.

The Weather and Climate in Lithuania

If you want to travel Lithuania, the best time to go is between the month of May and September, when the temperature during daytime ranges from 70s Fahrenheit or 20-25 degree Celsius and the nights usually ranges from 40 to 60 degree Fahrenheit or 4 to 15 degree Celsius. During the month of January and February are the coldest months in the country

The are modes of transportations around Lithuania:

  • Land transportations includes buses, Car and motorcycle and train
    • Bus – There are international bus companies like Eurolines and Ecolines which has offices in Vilnius and some other main cities in the country. There are couples of buses that go to many European cities every week including German cities and London with a daily bus going to Berlin.
    • Car and Motorcycle – If you come from the South, you’ll wait for about 30minutes to an hour at the two Polish border crossings.
    • Train – The city of Vilnius is connected by regular direct trains going to Moscow, Kaliningrad, St Petersburg, Warsaw and Minsk.
  • Boat – Klaipeda is the major port for all international ferries that bounds for Lithuania.
  • Air – Kaunas is the destination for cheap flights but most tourist do not linger there for long and hops in a car rental, taxi or bus immediately to go all the way to Vilnius which is 1 hour drive away.

Top 3 Travel Destinations in Lithuania

Lithuania has numbers of tourist’s destinations any traveller would not dare to miss. These are the top 3 travel destinations in Lithuania: The Zarasi Region – The place is popular for its exquisite forests and lakes impressing every visitor with the rareness, flamboyance and diversity of its nature. Bending and twisting rivers, blue lake patches scattered all around with peaceful woods which makes it the main attraction of the region.
The Nemunas River Delta Regional Park- This spot is located in the south-west of the country; an award-winning attraction being able to protect its natural wonders. This was formed after massive glaciers have melted after the Ice Age.
Plateliai – The place is in the north-west of Lithuania and has been awarded for its excellence in maintaining its intangible heritage.
Overall, the country is the best destination for nature lovers. When you are up to a European cruise or holiday travel, go straight to Lithuania and get ready for an ultimate nature experience. No wonder why they call it Europe’s best kept secret.

Map of Latvia

Completely different from its past soviet image, the modern day Latvia is refreshingly breathtaking and a must visit to any serious traveller. It is a European country whose capital is Riga. Latvia is a former member of the USSR but unless told you will hardly notice that fact. It has an estimated population of over 2,353,854 as of July 1999. The main languages spoken in Latvia are Lettish, Ukrainian and Russian. Only a few people speak English as their second language.

Transport within the country is not tricky with rail and road transport being the most common means in all the cities of Latvia. You can easily get around with a map of Latvia. There are several car rental agencies in all the cities at affordable rates. Other car rental services are available online while others are not. Getting a good car rental for your vacation or holiday is not that hard as some travel agencies provide free information about the best car rental services in Latvia.

The weather in Latvia changes according to the four main seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring. Winters in Latvia can be extremely cold so if you are planning to visit Latvia during winter, make sure you carry heavy clothing to beat the cold. Summers are normally cool with little or no showers at all. The best time to travel Latvia is during spring when everything is cool and calm. Due to high number of tourists flying in during summer, cheap flight tickets may be a bit high so it is advisable to fly in during winter or spring when you can easily get cheap flight tickets

There are numerous tourist attraction in Riga and other small towns and cities. A good example is the town of Sigulda which has a population of about 10000 people. It is near the capital city, Riga and is commonly known by Latvians as the winter capital of Latvia. The town experiences cool and damp weather conditions throughout the year as it is on altitude. Its warmest months are July and august which are the most appropriate months to visit the town.

For nature and animal lovers, Gauja national park is a must visit. Here you will enjoy the best time of your life thanks to the rich flora and fauna features the national park offers. The park is ideal for hiking, bird watching and nature walks. It is open throughout the year with only a few times when proper management of the park needs to be done. Different tour agents charge different rates for a trip around the park. Alternatively you can consult a car rental service and visit the park by yourself.

There are other cool places to visit outside the town and more information about such places can be found at the Latvian tourism board official website. To sum up your visit in Latvia take a walk around the city and socialize with Latvians. You will realize they are all passionate about their country and are receptive than most other nationals across the entire continent of Europe.

Iceland

Iceland is a country in Europe widely known for its beautiful glaciers and unmatched anywhere else in the world. It has an estimated population of over 300,000 people as of 2009. The language spoken in Iceland is Icelandic with a few other dialects in the small towns. Its capital city is known as Reykjavik and is much smaller in both population and size compared to other big European cities like Rome and Paris.

There are numerous places to spend your vacation or holiday but first you must grasp some travel facts before packing your bags. The best places for you to travel Iceland are found outside the cities where there are serene environments to be enjoyed throughout the day. If flying to Iceland for a short holiday, you can spend it anywhere as you will be there only for a short time. Always remember to have with you a good travel insurance cover as it is the only form of protection you can have away from home.

The main currency in Iceland is the kroner. You can always change your currency to the kroner from most local and international banks at competitive exchange rates. This is always important as most places accept payments only in the kroner. There are a few places where payments can be made in other major currencies but one should not rely on such places as things can change any minute.

Tourist destination are more than enough in Iceland and with a map of Iceland with you, you can get confused with where to start from. There are lakes, rivers, beautifulglaciers and awesome to look at waterfalls in different regions of the country. The longest water fall in Iceland is the Botnsa waterfall in Glymur falling at a remarkable height of 190 meters. The tallest mountain is Mount Hvannadalshnjúkurstanding at 2119 m. the largest glacier is the Vatnajökull glacier stretching 8300 km2 wide. These are just but a few tourist destination sites in Iceland. More information can be found at the Iceland tourism board.

Iceland experiences the four common seasons like any other European country. They are summer, autumn, winter and spring. Summers are generally cool and sunny with little or no showers at all. Winter on the other hand are very cold and can be extremely wet and damp sometimes. Spring is normally the best season to travel to Iceland as you can have the best time around with little or no fears of the weather.

If you do not enjoy sightseeing or travelling around the country, there are good theatres and museums in the city where you can have wonderful time by yourself and other theatre lovers. You can also go skiing or take a walk around the city and interact with the city dwellers. Some of them understand English and can converse pretty well with you in broken or perfect English. Language should be the least of your worries as most tour guides speak good English and can help you with the conversations. If you want to travel Europe then you can’t miss out Iceland as part of this experience.

Map of Finland

Finland. It is the home of Nokia, Santa Claus, and the only country in the world that broadcasts its news in Latin!… And it is better seeing the place than just reading about it! When you travel Finland, its wonderfully eclectic culture and biodiversity can fascinate even the most fastidious of travellers!

Finland is situated in the northern part of Europe, and a map of Finland will reveal the country to be richly blessed with lakes and other bodies of water with more than 180,000 lakes! It even houses Europe’s fourth largest lake, Saimaa. It’s a Nordic country and it is officially known as the Republic of Finland, and its long history reveals that this water- laden country used to a part of Sweden. The country is largely agrarian, and its forest is one of the major sources of income, hardly surprising, really, with approximately more than 70% of Finland covered in trees and shrubs! It’s a veritable wilderness that is as strong as the spirit of the country is represents! Despite of its forests and mirror- smooth waters, it’s a nation whose bustling capital is as technologically advanced as the rest of the world!

Going to Finland on a holiday or vacation will be worth all the time and effort; one can feel the serenity and revitalizing atmosphere so much that all the stresses and hassles of everything you have left behind on another country just drains away. Take a trip to Lemmenjoki National Park and Oulanka National Park and hike through their treks, you’ll really appreciate the beauty and power of nature in the imposing heights of the conifers and clarity of the lakes, you’ll even get to see Finland’s national Bird, the Whooper swan!

For those who simply cannot let go of the city nightlife and all its excitement, then Corona Bar & Ka?e Mockba might just be the place for you! It is located in the city centre and is run by two of the most unique film makers in the industry! It has pool tables, dens and plenty of beer. It’s a great way to unwind after that long trek in the woods. If you’re feeling spoiled and you have that extra cash to spend for an exceptional bar experience, the Arctic Ice bar can cater to you. It’s expensive, but rightfully so with everything, from tables, bar, chairs all carved from ice! Plus, you get to wear a nice fluffy parka to keep you warm while sipping at your drink.

For individuals who prefer a *quieter* night out in Finland, then travel to Telakka in Tampere, its theatre offers its patrons with an inventive menu, theatre performances, and a bohemian air that can let you cut loose without losing your poise…or your consciousness!

When you travel Finland in June, be sure to drop by Olavinlinna Castle which is considered as the most outstanding and remarkable castle in North of Europe! By this month, you may be fortunate to catch some opera stars rehearsing for the Savonlinna Opera Festival which is celebrated the whole month!

Map of Estonia

Estonia is one of those little known about European countries. Although tourism is not as strong in this nation as other more established European countries, it still has a healthy little holiday market. Estonia has sandy beaches, wooded countryside and well preserved old towns. On top of this is is great value for money. We are talking about summer here, however Estonia is a true winter wonderland. Skiing is now very established and so are most of the other winter sports. Add to this the cultural tourism you will experience and it will make for a great winter holiday, whether you are travelling alone or in a group.

However as always Travel Insurance is a must. Holidaying without travel insurance is just asking for trouble. Knowing that any eventuality will be covered by your insurance is a real load off you shoulders. Being able to book a hotel if your cheap flight is cancelled is a real bonus. Some parts of Estonia are still quite under developed and really do require good travel insurance if you are planning to go to these destinations.

In no way should you let this discourage you from travelling to these places, in fact they are some the most beautiful places imaginable, it is just better to take the necessary precautions. Be prepared for any eventuality and keep yourself covered for any circumstance.

Here are some facts about Estonia
Official name is the Republic of Estonia. It is situated in the Baltic Region of Northern Europe. Bordered by the countries : Latvia and the Russian Federation. The Seas that border it are : Gulf of Finland and Baltic Sea. The land mass is 45,228 km/squared and a population of approximately 1.34 million people. The capital city is Tallinn. Estonias political system is a Parliamentary republic and the official language is Estonian.

Map of Denmark

Denmark is a land of rich history, fascinating monarchy and magnificent terrain. When you travel Denmark, one cannot help but be enthralled with the menagerie of places and hot spots to go to! Going around the area with a map of Denmark in hand is a great method for selecting the best sites to go to by highlighting the areas you want to visit, and before doing so, you can check out the great travel spots on the web and ask around for the most interesting sites.

The country is Scandinavian and sits at the Northern portion of Europe. It sports a temperate climate, which means no extremes of temperature all year round. Although their autumn is their wettest season, so one would think twice about traveling to the country walking in soggy socks and shoes. The place is ranked as one of the countries with the lowest unemployment rates and with this, you can expect very happy people, in fact, Denmark is statistically one of the happiest countries in the world! It’s also home to so many world wonders like the Viking boat burials, the bog mummies, and magnificent castles that simply take your breath away! It’s like living the fairy-tale only it’s real! Spending your holiday and vacation here are well worth the trip!

Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital, it boasts of cafes and restaurants that serve you with Denmark’s finest cuisine. Their cuisine, like any other Nordic nation, their meals consist primarily of fish and meat. Foods will include rye bread sandwiches and the main food of the day called Frokost that features smoked eel and pickled herring. One can also enjoy Copenhagen’s cold roast beef or liver pate with bacon and mushrooms. If you’re out to taste the best of Denmark, then opt top go out in the evenings and enjoy their Middag, the largest meal for the day that’s made of meat with plenty of rich gravy with boiled potatoes, pasta or rice.

Aside form the food, Copenhagen can offer the tourist more exciting places to go to. Downtown Centrum is the “Historical Center” of Copenhagen and is filled with splendid church spires, excellent shopping options, and historic buildings. Vesterbro is one cool district which has transformed tremendously over the years. Christianshaven is a neighborhood known for its canals.

Another interesting fact about Copenhagen is that it is the leader in the Bright Green Environmental Movement in Denmark and was cited as the key Cleantech cluster by Clean Edge.

Denmark has also contributed greatly to the world in terms of fashion, architecture, and graphic design, their flawless craftsmanship are exhibited in Denmark’s castles, paintings, artifacts, and buildings!

Denmark’s rolling plains is also an irresistible invitation to nature lovers. Its ground has been renowned for its burial rites and historic bog people, mummies which have been preserved by the high acid levels of the bog. Denmark’s castles are a major tourist attraction, too. You can’t help but feel awed by the sheer size and magnificence of these architectural wonders.

Map of Belgium

Having three different national languages might make you think that travelling around Belgium would be difficult. Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact not knowing any of the languages will not hamper you. Most of the population has a good understanding of English. Beer is another thing Belgium is famous for and as a result the nightlife is incredible. You could spend your whole holiday just going from bar to bar and not get bored. They cater for every taste and the variety is astounding.

The bed and breakfast niche is covered well in Belgium and is highly recommended for those on a budget while travelling. With a mild climate similar to the netherlands, you could pretty much holiday any time of the year. One particular town that should be visited by all holiday makers is Bruge. It is considered the venice of the north and with its quaint canals and sea side living, it is a place to come and relax. Don’t forget to get yourself a good map of Belgium, to help you navigate around the country.

Three recommendations when travelling around Belgium are

  • Car rental, being such a small nation lends it perfectly to a driving holiday. This way you are in complete control of your destinations and you are never more than 5 hours away from Brussels.
  • The railways, belgium has an excellent railway network and is also a part of the Eurorail network. So travelling around Belgium by train is an easy option. Also it will be a nice and scenic way to enter and leave the country.
  • Travel Insurance, Always take out travel insurance. No matter where you go in Europe. Do this! It is always wise to have a good travel insurance policy up your sleave.

Remember there are cheap tickets available with airlines and eurorail being offered all the time. Times are tough and competition is fierce so make sure you haggle for the best price on travel you can possibly get.

Here are some facts about the Belgium
Official name is the Kingdom of Belgium. It is situated in North West Europe. Bordered by the countries : France and the Netherlands . It is bordered by the North Sea. The land mass is 30,528 km/squared and a population of approximately 10.8 million people. The capital city is Brussels The political system of the Belgium is a Federal parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy. The official languages are Dutch, French and German