Category: Western Europe

Western Europe is the region of Europe that is made up with the most Western countries. Although the concept of Western and Eastern Europe has been around for millennia. It was the advent of the cold war that clearly divided Europe into West and East. The countries that make up western Europe are The United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and all the associated principalities and sovereign cities in-between. A good map of Western Europe

Map of Ireland

Ireland is no doubt one of Europe’s most famous countries. It is like an art book with magnificent photos and snaps. You never get tired of feeding your eyes with the beautiful places throughout the cities and towns in Ireland. The capital city of Ireland is Dublin where diverse people from around the world live. Any tourist will have an easy time in Dublin as the official language here and the rest of the entire country is English. The city has a good transport and communication network and is one of the best maintained cities in the entire continent of Europe.

An extensive Travel insurance is one of the key travel necessities you need to travel Ireland. With good travel insurance, you will be assured of a good holiday or vacation throughout your stay in Ireland. In case you lose your luggage or fall sick, the travel insurance will take good care of you. You can always find a good travel insurance through you travel agency or through your attorney who will advise you of the best travel insurance. There are also sites that offer free advice to tourists who wish to apply for travel insurance. The bottom line here is, a travel insurance gives you confidence that you are in safe hands should anything unplanned event occur.

There are more than enough tourist attractions throughout Ireland. With a map of Ireland, you will be all set to go. The trinity college is one of them. It is a college established years ago and some of the world’s renowned scholars and professors studied here. Then there is the national gallery of Ireland where art lovers will certainly feel at home. The gallery has magnificent artistic works and inventions which are only exclusive to Ireland only. The phoenix park is a must visit to any nature lover visiting Ireland. It is the only place nature lovers can see for themselves what Ireland can offer in terms of flora and fauna. The list is endless so you can consult your travel agency for more information about Ireland tourist attractions.

The weather in Ireland is friendly and no doubt anyone will fall in love with the weather conditions here. The country experiences the four common seasons like any other country in the map of Europe. The common seasons being summer, autumn, winter and spring. Spring is the best season for anyone to visit Ireland as the temperatures are cool and almost everything else is cool. Winters are normally wet and damp with sometimes very low temperatures. The summer season is also a good season to visit Ireland. There is sunshine to enjoy with little or no showers in the afternoons.

Before leaving the country, take time to walk around the city and chat with the locals. You will note interesting things about them that other Europe and do not have or never show at all. Nearly all Irish men and women have a passion for their country that other Europeans do not have. They love their culture and language more than anything else.

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 England

When planning a vacation to England, research is vital and good idea is to have a reliable and accurate travel map of England, the are not only useful but truly invaluable . England has a long established tourism industry, mainly based on it’s long a rich heritage. You will need a good tourist map, when discovering it’s wonders. Some obvious destinations are the town of Bath (a lovely Roman town), the obligatory Stonehenge, Salisbury plains and it’s wonderful prehistoric sites, the lakes district, York and Cambridge.

Make sure you get Travel Insurance. A vacation without travel insurance is just not worth it. The peace of mind you get, knowing that if your luggage gets lost or a flight gets cancelled you are covered by a good insurance policy that will get you into a hotel and replace the luggage you have lost. Although England is considered almost the centre of the civilised world, you can never be sure what will happen. Always be prepared.

Here are some facts about England
England is part of the UK. Other countries in the UK are Scotland and Northern Island. It is situated in the West of Europe and only bordered by Ireland. The Seas and oceans that border England are : Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, English Channel and the Irish Sea. The land mass is 130,395 km/squared and a population of approximately 50.3 million people. The capital city is London and the political system is a constitutional monarchy. The official language is obviously English

When visiting London a tour of all the political establishments is a must do. There are double decker bus rides that take you passed all these places and many other non political monuments and historical landmarks.

If you are interested in travel Europe then make sure you investigate all the cheapest options as thoroughly as possible.

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 France

France has one of the strongest tourism industries in Europe. Travelling around France has become one of those must do travel experiences. The south of France although expensive, has some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. Cheap tickets are available on rail and with most airlines these days, so you can really make your travel dollar/euro work for you. Group travel is especially welcomed in France and its tourist industry has a long history of catering for this kind of travel.

Like Germany you can find a tourist destination to cater for any taste. If you are planning a vacation that takes in natural wonders like mountain, forests, beaches and fields. Then nearly every region can cater for this. If you want history and culture, then every region can cater for this, especially Burgundy, Normandy and Brittany. Each region has its own culinary delights and specialities, you will find Wines, cheeses, hams, seafood, sausages and restaurants that are putting all the local delicacies on their menu’s. So a food buff touring France could spend years and not have tasted the wonders of every region.

There are few towns in the world more history rich and cosmopolitan as Paris. The capital of France has its own wonders for travellers to explore. History is everywhere in Paris, you can’t get away from it. Notre Dame, the Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triomphe are but a few sites to visit. Every era has left its mark on Paris. From the days of the Romans through Napoleonic times to modern day. Paris has absorbed it all and is a town willing to steep itself in it’s past but also looking to the future. Whether you want to take in the tourist sites or whther you want to while taway the hours in paris’ thousands of cafe’s or whether you want to shop your heart out. Paris has it all. There are direct flights to Paris from almost any major city in the USA, Europe or for that matter almost anywhere in the world. A map of France is a must have when travelling around counry side as it can get a little confusing

Always remember to take out travel insurance, it is one of the last things we think about when travelling. However a good travel insurance policy is the best investment you can make. Make sure you read and understand what you are being covered for, as all insurance policies are definitely not equal.

Here are some facts about France
Official name is the French Republic. It is situated in central Europe. Bordered by the countries : Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Germany. The Seas that border it are : the North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscal and Mediterranean Sea. The land mass is 547,030 km/squared and a population of approximately 61.7 million people. The capital city is Paris. Frances political system is a Unitary semi-presidential republic and the official language is French.

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

Map of Andorra

There are no words that can describe Andorra. It is simply nature.s best friend and Europe fully agrees with this fact. It is a small country in Europe located among the Pyrenees Mountains. A brief look into the map of Andorra may make you think the small country has nothing to offer. But wait till you get there, then you realize you are literally in paradise on earth. The country’s mountainous terrain is a perfect feature for extreme sport lovers.

Before flying off to travel Andorra, take time to find cheap flights and other travel essentials like a good travel insurance policy. Cheap flights are available mostly during winter when tourists are not flying to Andorra in numbers, simply because of the cold weather. Alternatively you can have cheap flights to Andorra during one of the promotional offers that mainly come in festive seasons. As of the travel insurance, confirm with your travel agency and have them advice you on the best travel insurance policies.

Andorra experiences wet, damp and cold winters and hot dry summers. It has an estimated population of 83,888 as of 2009.Andorra is the sixth smallest country in Europe and its capital city is known as Andorra La Vella,meaning Andorra of the valley. The main revenue earner of Andorra is the tourism industry which receives more than 10.2 million tourists a year.

There are interesting facts about Andorra that attract tourists to the country each year. First, Andorra.s capital, Andorra La Vella,is the highest city in Europe, standing at a remarkable elevation of 1023 meters above the sea level. Also, Andorra has the second highest human life expectancy in the world that is,82 years at birth.

Any ski loving tourist will tell you that Andorra is the best place on earth to ski. But there are other tourist attractions in Andorra as well. Eglesia de sant Esteve where you can see the Romanesque style is a must see for any tourist visiting AndorraLa Vella. It is the central place of the city so with a map of Andorra with you or even without,you will easily find the place. The winter festival held every year is another big tourist attraction. There is also the Pic de Coma Pedrosa which is the highest peak of the region and stands at 2942 meters above the sea level. Tourists can also visit museums,theaters,art galleries,parks and zoos where they can have quiet time enjoying themselves.

Your travel agency will organize everything for you. This includes a guest house or a motel, most of which are affordable and are located in the outskirts of the city. Check with your agent and confirm if it will cater for any cheap flights back home. This is very important as some agencies sometimes cause tourists inconveniences during departure time.

Finally, sum up your stay in Andorra by socializing with the city dwellers. They are friendly people with a warm heart and some form of unexplained passion for their country. Alternatively, you can drive around the city just sightseeing or even visiting gift shops to buy souvenirs. You might even be tempted to stay for more days you had not planned.