European Capitals

About the destination: Madrid has a rhythm all its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. If the illuminated shop windows along the Gran Vía, and the unyielding elegance of Paseo de la Castellana are overwhelming, retreat to Old Madrid. Its maze of side streets south of Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol are what make the real Madrid. Spend half a day in the Prado Museum, then sit to rest on the steps leading down to the lake in lush Retiro Park. The city begins to come alive as soon as the sun sets. Madrid claims to have the highest number of bars per person of any European city. Madrid is bustling with cultural events all year round. After a concert, play or film, you can choose from literally hundreds of tapas bars and an endless array of nightspots. Madrid successfully blends its cosmopolitan sophistication with its most treasured local traditions, the result is fascinating to explore.

About the destination: Paris, located on the river Seine, is the capital and biggest city in France. It's one of the most iconic cities in the world and is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic cities, so much so that it's been nicknamed the City of Love. Paris offers historical sights, monuments, a pleasant atmosphere, lovely cafés, parks and museums to satisfy any traveller. A large part of this City of Light, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to some of the greatest old buildings in the world such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles, the Moulin Rouge or the Hotel des Invalides. There's no end to the list of things you have to see in this city, but the Louvre, one of the finest museums in the world of art and culture, should not be missed. Paris remains hugely influential in the realms of art and design and is home to some of the most impressive modern buildings such as La Défense, the Centre Pompidou, the Arab World Institute or the Stade de France. Paris is a city of immense vitality and beauty and it's an amazing and fascinating destination. With its history and architectural heritage, Paris is the city everyone wants to see.

About the destination: Of all the European capitals, London resonates most profoundly in the minds of travellers. We soak up London before we even realise it exists and when we finally approach the city, it doesn't let us down. There are the red double-deckers, the bobbies and stoic guards at Buckingham, Westminster Abbey, and the chimes of Big Ben, sounding familiar, as we've heard them before. We see these things with a sense of satisfaction. Yet there's plenty to surprise. London isn't quaint. London isn't a museum, though you could spend all your time hopping from one to the next. It's a bustling, urban sprawl, with traffic jams, shops, and a remarkable international population. Visit the many monuments with nearly a millennium's worth of history, from Chaucer's grave to the pub where the captain of the Mayflower had a pint to Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s most snapped sights. But don’t overlook modern London, with its intensely active theatres, international cuisine, political protests, the latest in music and fashion, punks and peers, and everyone in between. In 1777, writer Samuel Johnson said when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, and the phrase still rings true. There's something different to experience every day in London.

About the destination: Capital city of Germany, Berlin is one of the most exciting and historic places in Germany and in Europe. No other German city has more "visible" history to offer, despite all the scars of WW2 and the division during Cold War times. No other German city has such a rich cultural life. Berlin's architecture is quite varied. It is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the city centre, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra-modern glass and steel structures at Potsdamer Platz. Because of its tumultuous history, Berlin remains a city with many distinctive neighbourhoods. Berlin has so many faces. It is attractive, cosmopolitan, multicultural and multiethnic city with very friendly locals and lots to do and see.

About the destination: Modern and old, past and present go hand in hand, all the time. Whether you're in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be ready to step into the world’s largest open air museum. Rome will charm you and it will hardly leave you unmoved. It will surprise you, as it has so much to offer to any visitor, and its beauty has merely been slightly obscured by the passage of time. Rome is one of the world's most photogenic cities - not surprising when you remember what's here - The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter's Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum... Whether you spend your time sightseeing, or lounging in cafés watching the world go by, it will be your turn to star in your very own Roman Holiday. If you can plan to stay for as long as a week, you won't run out of things to do and you'll still feel like you're leaving too soon.

About the destination: Athens gets its name from the goddess of wisdom Athena, who is honoured by the magnificent Acropolis, which towers over the modern, cosmopolitan city that Athens is today. Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world and it is the birthplace of western philosophy, democracy and theatre. To this day, the Greek capital remains a major global centre of culture, with its historic centre, iconic classical sites and museums brimming with artefacts from ancient Greece. The Acropolis, topped by the emblematic Parthenon, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cars have been banned from the historic centre, which has become the most striking pedestrian promenade in Europe. In this archaeological park, visitors will see the contrasting nature of this ancient metropolis, with the opportunity to visit the New Acropolis Museum, a high-tech modern structure with light and airy exhibition spaces, as well as the National Archaeological Museum, the largest archaeological museum in Greece, built in the 19th century and dedicated to ancient Greek art. The Acropolis and Mount Lycavittos, the city’s highest points, are used as landmarks as they can be seen from most places in the Plaka, the old historical neighbourhood. The Plaka is under the Acropolis and stretches almost to Syntagma, home of the Greek Parliament. For a taste of the hedonistic Athenian lifestyle, one should visit Monastiraki, where locals go to eat, drink and socialise. The night belongs to Psirri, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its bars, live music venues and lively nightclubs. Southeast of the city centre, a glorious stretch of coast offers dreamy views over the shimmering blue Aegean Sea. Surely few European capitals can boast sandy beaches and clean water for swimming within such easy reach. Athens therefore offers the best of both worlds – a fantastic city break as well as a lazy beach holiday. Athenians are surprisingly friendly and outgoing and their enthusiasm for life’s pleasurable pursuits is so infectious that even the most reserved traveller will take time out for endless coffees and evening strolls, dine out until late and enjoy the city’s nightlife, long after the rest of Europe has gone to bed.