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Rome is also called the „Eternal city“ and belongs to one of the most romantic cities in the world. It has been the centre of power, culture and religion which is world-known for its palaces, millennium-old churches and basilicas, grand romantic ruins, opulent monuments, ornate statues and graceful fountains. It is one of the most visited, famous and beautiful capitals in Europe. At present it has growing nightlife and it has been a shopping heaven that is regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world.

The best way to reach Rome is by train. The main station is close to the historic centre. However, there are several outlying stations as well. It is also possible to come by bus or plane and use the public transport as Rome has an extensive bus and metro system. In case you plan to take a taxi, check the Rome Taxi Tips to avoid being overcharged.

Rome is often associated with the smallest state; the Vatican which is is only 0.44 square kilometres large and has a population of nearly one thousand which is headed by the Pope. Its centre is the magnificent St. Peter´s Basilica where the Pope recites the Angelus prayers every Sunday. This basilica is a must for anybody coming to Rome. However, remember to dress properly as it is not allowed to wear short skirts, shorts or sleeveless dresses inside. The state also includes splendid Vatican Museums. You are recommended to book online before your visit as there might be long queues which might require a great deal of energy and patience. However, Vatican Museum complex is the largest art collections in the world. There are many paintings, books, frescoes, and Greek, Etruscan and Roman statues. One of the most famous sights is the Sistine Chapel which was named after Pope Sixtus IV. The twelve paintings on the left represent scenes from the life of Jesus Christ while the left side of the chapel shows scenes from the life of Moses. The most famous fresco is the Chapel of the Last Judgment which was the perfect work done by Michelangelo.

Tourists are recommended to buy Roma Pass which is a special tourist-cultural card which enables them to use benefits like various discounts or services and make it easier and cheaper to enjoy Rome. In case you need any information during your tour there are Tourist Information Points almost everywhere.

Beside being the capital of Poland Warsaw is also one of the most amazing cities which are full of amazing contrasts and surprises. This city is a place where you can relax and feel right being at home. Warsaw can be discovered in many ways. On foot, by bicycle, by car … Everyone will find fun here. You can go on a tour of historic sites, the Chopin trail or you can attend concerts and festivals.

It is also a green city as a really big area is comprised of fields, parks, green squares and lush gardens. Some of the parks are historical but some of them are examples of modern gardens which are perfect for Warsaw residents as well as visitors. One of the most popular parks is the Laziensky Park which was constructed between 1774-1784 and it was also the favoured residence of the Polish royalty. It is actually a mixture of a traditional French garden and classical English park.

During the summer you can go sailing around the Palace pond in a gondola, feeding carps or watching peacocks wandering about the grounds. Do not miss to see one of the most popular monuments, the Fryderyk Chopin Monuments. There are free concerts between May and September which show works of the world’s best composers. If you want to see Warsaw from the great height, there are many places which were constructed specially just to admire the view. One of them is the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science, tower of the Warsaw Rising Museum or one of the city’s man-made hills.

This city is exceptional also because of the fact this city has made a lot of changes to become in compliance with the EU regulations and has adapted the city for disabled tourists. The information for them is really clear, you just follow pictograms.

There are many things to see in Florence. There are some of Italy´s best museums, beautiful cathedrals and churches as well as interesting streets and squares with elegant buildings and shops.

Piazza della Signoria is the top attraction among the most important squares. It is Florence´s primary meeting place for locals as well as tourists. Concerts, fairs and rallies are held here during the whole year. The piazza gets its name from the towering Palazzo Vecchio whose original name is Palazzo della Signoria. The square is decorated by some of the most famous Florentine artists. Almost all of them are copies, the originals have been moved indoors. The most famous of the piazza´s sculptures is a copy of Michelangelo´s David which stands watch outside the Palazzo Vecchio. The other sculpture which is a must to see are two statues by Giambologna, the statue of Grand Duke Cosimo I and Rape of a Sabine, and Cellini´s Perseus and Medusa.

Il Duomo or the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore is the icon of the city and it is also one of the most recognizable symbols of Renaissance architecture. Inside it could be said, it is a vast space which contains only a few works of art. There are 44 stained glass windows which were designed by some famous Renaissance artists, such as Donatello and Paolo Uccello. For a small fee, you can also see the crypt which contains the archaeological remains of the ancient cathedral of Santa Reparata. A tour of the dome also allows visitors to walk around the outside of the dome with spectacular, panoramic views of Florence and Tuscan hills.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the top museums in Italy. All of the famous names from Italy´s rich artistic heritage, including Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Piero della Francesca, Caravaggio and Raphael are represented here. The gallery is in a long narrow building and it houses much of the private collection of the Florentine first family – the Medici. A visit here is one of the greatest pleasures when visiting Florence. Therefor you are advised to reserve tickets in advance, so you avoid long queues or disappointment.

Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace is a huge part on a hillside in the middle of Florence behind the Pitti Palace. You will find beautiful gardens and fountains where you can enjoy a great view of Florence from the Forte Belvedere.

The Campanile or Bell Tower is a part of the Duomo complex. Therefore it is also decorated in white, green, and pink marble. But where the Duomo is expansive, the Campanile is slender and symmetrical. You should know that there are 414 steps to the top of the Campanile and there is no elevator.

It is not a problem to decide where to stay in Florence especially walking through the centre. It is like every house, apartment block or palazzo is masquerading as a hotel or pension. However, finding a good rate can be something different. Mainly if you are checking out the tempting residenze d´epoca, upmarket B&B´s that can cost more than a luxury hotel.

Novecento is an attic apartment, a bit cramped, but the rooms are comfortable. There is a surprise for you, a wonderful rooftop terrace which is so close to Brunelleschi´s Duomo that you feel you could reach out and touch it.

Sani Tourist House is located in the heart of medieval Florence, just by the house where Dante lived where you can get a room at a very reasonable price. The owners do not serve breakfast, but you can get a voucher for the nearby Cantinetta dei Verrazzano, a historic wine bar.

Hotel Universo is a rarity in Florence. It is a bright, modern hotel with much more affordable prices. The concept running throughout the hotel is a vintage 1970´s sty, from the wallpaper to the furniture.

Hotel Relais II Cestello was a typical B&B which was changed into three – star hotel while prices remain reasonable. There is an ancient stone fireplace and wooden-beamed ceiling in the lobby which was doubled and now used as the breakfast salon.

Hotel Scoti is a maintained old-fashioned family-run pension. The prices have gone up recently, but it is worth to stay here, just to be able to use the charming communal sitting room decorate with quite incredible 17-th century frescoes.

Ciao hostel which used to be called Harmony Hostel is located in the centre of Florence. As the city centre is relatively small, it is possible to just walk everywhere. It is a great choice for backpackers, students and families. The hostel is a good, clean and cheap place for everyone who is not looking for a luxury accommodation.

There are many inexpensive places where you can eat, if you know where to look. If you want to avoid paying a lot, you should know that many places charge a higher charge for outdoor table service. Therefore locals eat inside, often at a place which is a kind of a cross between a restaurant and a bar or sandwich shop.
Trattoria Dante is the best place if you are looking for an enjoyable and tasty meal. It is always crowded, therefore be sure you book a table in advance. The striped macaroni and gnocchi are the two best personal favourites and take tiramisu as a dessert.
ZaZa is an American-friendly pizzeria which has a perfect outdoor patio for those warm Florence nights. The menu here has a wide selection of entrees.
Trattoria 13 Gobbi is a smaller restaurant which offers you an intimate and cosy setting to enjoy a meal especially if you are looking for true Florentine steak.
Acqua al Due is a place which understands the hardest part about eating out in Florence which is deciding what to order. You read the menu and you slowly begin to feel the pressure of choosing just one dish as the waiter comes to take your order. They offer you the ultimate solution – the assagio which is a taste of heaven. It is a series of small mouth-watering dishes of which the menu is changed from night to night. It is available for each course.
Florence is well-known for its gelato. The best one is Gelateria Santa Trinita which you can find in Piazza Frescobaldi. It serves all the classics but it is their original flavours that will completely change your life. Those ones which is a must to try: buontalenti al mascarpone.

Florence is one of the most beautiful historical towns in the world. It is filled with museums, palaces and churches. Florence is a treasure trove with so many things to see that a few days will not be enough. The town is well serviced by the railway network as many main European cities are directly connected to Florence via Eurocity and Euronight trains. There is also an airport which is small but well connected to the main historical centre of Florence which can be reached by taxi with a 15 minutes ride.
Florence is a perfect place for tourists as it offers such a variety of touristic experiences. When visiting this town, you will be influenced by a series of variables like time, personal taste and budget. You can enjoy classic tours that include the most touristic itineraries and the most visited attractions. Your other choice is non-conventional tours that will bring you to the hidden spots of Florence, places that only few people know about.
The best time to visit Florence is spring. At this time, it is relatively warm, but it is not as hot as usually in the summer. Moreover, you can more enjoy the town as it is less busy than during the rest of the warmer months. Summer is very hot and quite humid. Do not forget to bring a hat and visit regularly the stores or cafes to drink plenty of water when you get hot while doing your sightseeing. Summer is also the busiest season, so expect crowds, long queues, higher hotel rates and a lot of tourists. In case you want to visit Florence in summer, choose August as the locals go to the sea, so much of the city is empty. However, have in mind that some restaurants and shops will close for the month. Autumn is the best time for food and wine. There is nothing better than a glass of Chianti to warm you up at night. If you like holidays in winter, Florence offers you a fair amount of rain, but it is not so much cold.

Stockholm has already 750 year long history and rich cultural life. This city offers a wide selection of museums and attractions. Most of these attractions can be reached on foot, so you can easily experience many things in a really short time.
One of the most famous silhouettes of the city, is the City hall which is one of the country´s leading examples of national romanticism in architecture at the same time. It was built in 1923 with using eight million bricks. The 106 meter tall tower has the three crowns that is the Swedish national coat or arms. The City hall is open to the public only through guided tours which are held daily at certain hours and you can enjoy them in Swedish or English language. During the same time you can also climb up inside the tower and enjoy the fantastic view over the city.
The Royal Palace is one of the largest palaces in Europe. It is the official residence of His Majesty. It has more than 600 rooms. The Palace is open to the public and offers fine museums. The most of the palace was built in 18th century. You can visit the reception rooms; see the Queen´s silver throne and Halls of the Orders of Chivalry. It also contains the Armoury with royal costume and armour as well as coronation carriages and magnificent coaches from Royal Stable.
The Vasa Museum is the only preserved 17th century ship in the world, so it is a unique art treasure at the same time. More than 95 percent of the ship is original. The whole ship is 69 meters long decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures. It sank in 1628 in the middle of Stockholm during its maiden voyage.
Gamla Stan is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centres in Europe. It was founded in 1252. All of Gamla stan is like a living pedestrian- friendly museum which is full of sights, restaurants, attractions, cafés, bars and places where you can go shopping. The narrow cobbled winding streets are full of buildings in so many different shades of gold and give this place a really unique character. During the snowy winter days you feel it like being in a story book when you are here.

Stockholm is one of the Swedish cultural, media, political and economic centres. The strategic position on 14 islands has always been important. The weather is mostly cold although the summer temperatures can be around 20-25°C. Besides being the Sweden´s capital, Stockholm is a home for many cultural institutions. There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites: The Royal Palace Drottningholm and the Skogskyrkogarden.
Stockholm can be easily reached by air. The biggest airport is the Stockholm-Arlanda airport. This airport has been accredited as the world´s most climate-friendly airport. However, the closest airport to the capital is the Stockholm-Bromma Airport. This one serves mostly the domestic flights. All the airports can be easily reached by airport busses or trains. Have in mind that the buses are cheaper while the trains are faster.
The capital of Sweden can be also reached by boat. You can be sure that sailing past many of the Stockholm archipelago´s islands is an unforgettable experience. There are a lot of harbours where your boat can be anchored when arriving.
Travelling by local ferries is then a fantastic way to experience the city which was built on islands. Ferries are used by the locals as well as tourists who want to take better look around.
Beside water around, Stockholm is a really green city. There are 26 city parks from which the most popular ones are: Hagaparken with forest, lakes and ponds, Ralambshovsparken with lakeside grass beach and fields, Vita Bergen with hilly picnic park and the huge Toyal National City Park, which is the world´s first national city park, that is known as the Ecopark where you can spot heron, roe deer and foxes, right in the city.
There are a lot of winter actions which can be done in winter here. The most popular spread is skating that is done on the frozen Norrviken Lake and the great lake Malaren which surrounds the cities’ islands. Much more impressive is to skate on the archipelago waters. Furthermore Nordic or cross country skiing is also a major activity done in parks and forests as well as frozen waters.

Eastern Europe is full of things to see and do – including visiting museums, churches and castles, taking nature walks or going on historical tours. Every country and city in Eastern Europe has sights that every visitor should see. Some are well-known and hard to miss. Others are off the beaten path.
Romance and history is what is there for you when you visit one of Eastern Europe´s castles or palaces. A lot of royal residences have now been renovated and turned into museums full of riches, art masterpieces and curiosities. In addition, most of them are hotels now which welcome visitors all over the year.
There are over 60 castle and palace hotels which are unique in locales or amenities and where you can enjoy stay surrounded by history, charm and old-world luxury. The most famous are: Paszkowka Palace Hotel, Reszel Castle Hotel, Dwor Oliwski Hotel Inn.
Hungarian Castle hotels – you can spend your vacation on vintner´s estate far from the noise and bustle of the city. You can enjoy outdoors by taking tours, go horse riding or going for a walk in a garden. The most famous are: Kastely Hotel Szirak or Hungary Castel Hotel Sasvar.
Similar kind of accommodation can be found in any of the countries in Eastern Europe. However, going for holiday is not only about accommodation. It is also about eating out. This can be one of the best experiences, mainly if you look for restaurants that serve traditional Eastern Europe cuisine.
Shopping is also important for some people because shopping for antiques or just picking up some souvenirs can be a really good way how to fill in your afternoon. On the other hand, if you do your shopping in markets, be mindful of your wallet or bag. Pickpockets are prevalent and practiced, so always make sure the strap of your bag or walk with your bag in front of your body.
Wherever you go in Eastern Europe, be sure you will have a holiday of your life-time which you will recommend to your friends.

St. Basil´s Cathedral is one of the most recognisable buildings in the whole Russia. It is situated in the south-east end on the Red Square. The building is a great mixture of western and eastern architecture. It is mostly known as St. Basil´s Cathedral, but the official name is “The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat”. The popular alternative is Basil the Blessed.
The Cathedral was ordered by Ivan the Terrible, but nothing is known about the builders, Barma and Postnik, except their names and some legends. Moreover architectural specialists still are unable to agree about the governing idea which is hidden behind the structure. The creators could pay homage to the churches of Jerusalem or building eight churches around a central ninth can represent the medieval symbol of the eight-pointed star. Although the towers and domes appear chaotic, there is symmetry and symbolism in its design. In addition, originally the Cathedral was all while to match the white-stone Kremlin. The most interesting chapel is the main one, which contains a 19th century baroque iconostasis.
During the time of Soviet Union there was a talk of demolishing the cathedral because it hindered Stalin´s plans for massed parades on the Red Square. In the end it was saved thanks to the courage of the architect Pyotr Baranovsky who refused categorically to demolish it and sent the Kremlin an extremely blunt telegram, so the Cathedral remains standing. However, Baranovsky was sentenced for five years in prison.
At present the Cathedral is a museum. A spiral staircase was discovered in the 1970s within one of the walls during restoration work. So, visitors take tour into the central church, but they can also walk along the narrow, winding gallery, covered in beautiful patterned paintwork.
The opening hours are daily from 11.00 to 17.00, but it is closed on Tuesdays.