Amsterdam to Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, boasts a captivating history that dates back to its 12th century beginnings as a modest fishing village. Over time, the city flourished into a bustling commercial center, and, by the 17th century, played a pivotal role in global trade. The establishment of the Dutch East India Company during the colonial era further fueled periods of prosperity, cultural blossoming, and architectural advancement. The city's charm has remained as vibrant as ever, offering modern-day tourists a dynamic and multicultural hub in a wonderful atmosphere, surrounded by a unique, impressive architectural maze.

Antwerp is the second most populous city in Belgium. In the 16C, Antwerp was noted for the wealth of its citizens ("Antwerpia nummis"); the houses of these wealthy merchants and manufacturers have been preserved throughout the city. Antwerp Zoo was founded in 1843, and is home to more than 6,000 animals (about 769 species). One of the oldest zoos in the world, it is renowned for its high level of research and conservation. Antwerp had an artistic reputation in the 17C, based on its school of painting, which included Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens, the two Teniers and many others. Antwerp is home to many interesting sites and museums.

Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact. The historic centre of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Many of its medieval buildings are notable, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire reaches 122.3m, making it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. The sculpture Madonna and Child, which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime. Bruges' most famous landmark is its 13th-century belfry, housing a municipal carillon comprising 48 bells. The city still employs a full-time carillonneur, who gives free concerts on a regular basis.

Stunning, magnificent Paris… here are just a few of the names used to describe the city: "The City of Lights", "The City of Love", "The City of Bridges", and "The City of Fashion." 

This small town is dominated by its massive castle and amazing forest, and is a popular weekend destination for Parisians.

This romantic town in the Picadry region proudly displays its Medieval heritage, architecture, monuments, and art.

Considered the capital of the Centre region, this city is excellent for lovers of history and quality dining.

This small town is famous for its magnificent attractions: Chantilly Castle and the vast park and forest that surround it.

Tours is a city in central France. It stands on the lower reaches of the river Loire. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and the Battle of Tours in 732. It is also the site of the Paris–Tours road bicycle race. Tours is famous for its original medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. Unique to the Old City are its preserved half-timbered buildings and la Place Plumereau, a square with busy pubs and restaurants, whose open-air tables fill the center of the square. The Boulevard Beranger crosses the Rue Nationale at the Place Jean-Jaures and is the location of weekly markets and fairs.

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in southwestern France. The city's titles are "La Perle d'Aquitaine" (The Pearl of Aquitaine), and "La Belle Endormie" (Sleeping Beauty) in reference to the old center which had black walls due to pollution. Nowadays, this is not the case. In fact, a part of the city, Le Port de La Lune, was almost completely renovated. Bordeaux is the city which has the highest number of preserved historical buildings in France, except for Paris. Bordeaux is the world's major wine industry capital. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.

This town, surrounded by vineyards, offers great wine, in addition to superb Medieval structures connected by charming narrow streets.

This lovely town located in Dordogne, features a Renaissance and Medieval district with interesting monuments.

Overlooking the Charente River, the "balcony of the southwest" is known for its French charm as well as an annual comics festival.

Toulouse is a city in southwestern France. It lies on the banks of the River Garonne. A city with unique architecture made of pinkish terracotta bricks, which earned it the nickname la Ville Rose ("the Pink City"), Toulouse counts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Canal du Midi (designated in 1996 and shared with other cities), and the Basilica of St. Sernin, the largest remaining Romanesque building in Europe. Its world-renowned university is one of the oldest in Europe (founded in 1229) and, with more than 103,000 students, is the fourth-largest university campus of France.

This town is not to be missed with its impressive and extremely well-preserved citadel, as well as its abundance of history.

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. The city in its entirety is listed as a World Heritage Site, along with its lagoon. It is also known for its several important artistic movements, especially the Renaissance period. Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world for its celebrated art and architecture. The city has an average of 50,000 tourists a day.

Immortalized in several Shakespearean plays, Verona lures travelers with its culture, rich history, and unforgettable atmosphere.

Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria and is considered a “must visit” city. The fact that it is not “the biggest” city is not important in this case - size doesn’t count! It is no wonder that UNESCO recognized the Alstadt (Old Town) as a World Heritage Site. Salzburg is situated on the banks of the Salzach river which is almost 300 km long. This precious town offers a wide range of tours with exciting experiences for the visitor.

Nuremberg was, according to the first documentary mention of the city in 1050, the location of a roman Imperial castle and is often referred to as having been the 'unofficial capital' of the Holy Roman Empire. Because of the city's relevance to the Holy Roman Empire and its position in the centre of Germany, the Nazi Party chose the city to be the site of huge Nazi Party conventions – the Nuremberg rallies. Between 1945 and 1946, German officials involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity were brought before an international tribunal in the Nuremberg Trials. Sites in Nuremberg include: Nuremberg Castle an Heilig-Geist-Spital, the largest hospital of the Middle Ages.

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

The Frankfurt Art Museum is housed at 63 Schaumiankai Street in 1815 and It offers a collection of European art over a span of about 700 years - from the beginning of the 14th century, through the Renaissance, Baroque, modernism to the present day.

The Frankfurt Botanical Garden was established in 1868 in an almost random way, a collection of about 200 exotic plants and that were in the courtyard of the castle of a duke in Wiesbaden who ran into financial difficulties and so was willing to sell them and thus they were purchased and moved here.

The area of Frankfurt Cathedral, named after St. Bartholomew, was used for religious worship for as long as 700 years before its foundation. Evidence of this has been found in remains from the late Merovingian period, from the end of the 7th century AD – proof of this is a plaque now on display in the Cathedral Museum, which was from the tomb of a girl, probably from a wealthy home.

Size doesn’t count and the proof is that the town attracts millions of tourists who come for so many reasons! Rüdesheim is a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in this area.  The town itself is charming and colorful with small streets meandering between half-timber houses with many decorated with wooden carvings, metal signs and a lot of greenery surrounding the area.

The Frankfurt Zoological Garden Zoo (German: Zoologischer Garten Der Stadt Frankfurt Am Main) is considered one of the oldest and largest in Europe, a green oasis in a gray city.

In 1804 a pharmacist named Peter Zaslzwedel built a summer cottage for himself on the outskirts of the city. Today, the Museum of Applied Arts Frankfurt (The Museum Angewandte Kunst), which is on Museum Street - Schaumainkai 17, stands in its place.

The postmodern museum building was designed by the Viennese architect Hans Hollein who won an open competition for the planning of the museum. It is located at Dinstrasse 10, on the banks of the River Main. To date it is composed of 3 different venues named MMK 1, 2, and 3. The MMK Zollamt (MMK3) is located in a building directly opposite the museum and the other venue (MMK2) opened within the Taunus Turm. 

Nobody can remain indifferent to the spectacular Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). This renowned Gothic architectural marvel is also a symbol of the city and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. As well, in Northern Europe it is seen as an important pilgrimage, as well as being one of the oldest. Its setting on the Rhine River adds to its status: a gateway to a unique city, bursting with a diversity of historical buildings, museums, churches, archeological sites, dynamic shopping areas, restaurants and redundant to say bars and beer houses. And of course, the renowned “Eau de Cologne”.