Things to Do in Europe

One of the best known theaters in the world, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, traces its history back to 1776. This was when Empress Catherine the Great granted Prince Pyotr Urusov the privilege of maintaining theater performances of all kinds for a period of 10 years. The current Bolshoi building opened on the coronation day of Tsar Alexander II in 1856, and featured a six-tier auditorium decorated in crimson and gold that could seat up to 2,300 people.

The Bolshoi recently re-opened in October 2011 after being closed for a six-year renovation project. The reconstruction and refurbishment of the theater’s main stage employed over 3,000 specialists at the theater each day, as well as an additional 1,000 in restoration workshops outside of the theater. The project not only restored the historical appearance of the theater, inside and out, but it also restored its legendary acoustics while adding state-of-the-art machinery and stage equipment.

Today, the theater once again offers a full repertoire of operas and ballets such as La Traviata, Carmen, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. Those wishing to catch a performance at the Bolshoi are advised to purchase tickets several weeks in advance as most tend to sell out.

Spread over an incredible 2,400 acres (that's around 3 times the size of New York's famous Central Park), the public park of Bois de Vincennes (Vicennes Wood) has been offering Parisians welcome respite from the urban bustle since the 12th century. Originally designed by Baron Haussman as a royal hunting ground for Louis VII, the collection of lakes and woodlands also form part of the grounds of the 14th-century Chateau de Vincennes.

Earning the nickname of the 'Lungs of Paris,' the park offers a seemingly endless stretch of greenery on the cusp of the city, with a vast network of walking, cycling and horseback riding trails spanning over 32km, as well as a number of attractions. Popular highlights include the Daumesnil Lake, where you can take a scenic boat trip out to the two islets; the Bois de Vicennes Buddist Temple, with its pretty wooden pavilion and towering Buddha statue; and the Lac des Minimes, where a footbridge leads out to the island restaurant. At the East End of the park, the idyllic Parc Floral is home to an impressive array of flowers and botanical gardens, with its central stage hosting summer plays and concerts; and the Parc Zoologique de Paris (Zoo de Vincennes) is a 38-acre enclosed zoo housing giraffes, giant pandas and monkeys among its sizable collection and featuring a large artificial hill that offers great views over the park.

The town that we know today as Taormina is in an area in which there has been a settlement of some kind since the 8th century B.C.E. - but in the town itself one of the oldest neighborhoods is the Borgo Medievale, or medieval quarter.

Taormina’s historic core centers on the Borgo Medievale, with its picturesque cobblestone streets. The buildings themselves have been beautifully preserved, giving the whole quarter a postcard look. The main street in Taormina, Corso Umberto I, runs through the center of the medieval quarter from the Piazza IX Aprile to the Piazza del Duomo.

You can begin your tour of the medieval quarter from the Piazza IX Aprile and going through the arch in the 12th century clock tower. The tower was actually almost completely destroyed in the 17th century, and when it was rebuilt the clock was added. The tower serves as something of a gateway to the Borgo Medievale, most of which dates from the 15th century.

Today, Taormina’s Borgo Medievale is a great place to wander aimlessly to explore the pretty streets and buildings, shop in the souvenir stores and boutiques, and stop for a bite to eat in one of the cafes or restaurants.

Dr. Gunther von Hagens is a controversial German scientist who invented a new method for preserving human tissue called Plastination and has subsequently made his fortune exploiting it. His acclaimed, but somewhat macabre, exhibitions have travelled the world ceaselessly for the last 20 years and in that time have been visited by more than 40 million people. Today Von Hagens has set up six floors of permanent home in the former American Express building in Amsterdam’s city center; currently on show is Body Worlds: The Happiness Project, which is designed to highlight the beneficial effect of happiness and exercise on the human body. Display are not always for the faint-hearted, as they include human corpses stripped of their skins or in various states of dissection, some hale and hearty, some neatly sliced to illustrate disease – the smoker’s lungs would make anyone give up on the spot – as well as fetuses, but nevertheless the exhibition has proved so popular that time slots are required when booking.

The quiet town of Bohinj is a favorite destination for winter amateurs, with its ample opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and ice skating. Located in the Julian Alps, stunning views are abound, and the natural attractions are the valley's biggest appeal. 

In the summer, swimming, rafting, rock-climbing, hiking, fishing, and horseback-riding are the primary forms of entertainment, along with a thrilling opportunity for cave exploration. 

Bohinj also offers the occasion to pamper yourself: its health and wellness spas are considered to be some of the best in Slovenia, and after a long day of physical exertion, relaxation will be well deserved.

Opened in 2008 in the historic Chatrons district of Bordeaux, the Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum is a must for anyone interested in learning more about the history of the wine trade in France from the Middles Ages to the present day.

The name Bordeaux most commonly passes our lips when we are talking about French wine, but the city of Bordeaux has more to offer than just its famous grapevines. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as Port of the Moon, filled with stunning historic architecture largely unchanged for over two centuries.

There are over 350 buildings and monuments listed as Historic in the city and in the past decades a major project has been undertaken to clean the facades and put in a tram-service with no overhead wires to mar the beauty of the city.

Greeting arriving ships to the port is a one kilometer stretch of gracious historic palaces which line the quay built in the 17th and 18th century - even back then Bordeaux was keen to make a good first impression on visitors and it continues to do so today.

How to Get to Bordeaux

This is a river port which lies 60 miles (90 km) inland from the Bay of Biscay. Ships travel up the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne River for about six hours before heading under a suspension bridge and round a bend to reveal the city of Bordeaux in all its 18th century magnificence. Ships dock alongside the quay, right in the heart of the city. To reach the historic city all you need to do is cross the road.

One Day in Bordeaux

If you have only one day in Bordeaux you will need to choose between wine and architecture. If you choose wine there are many excursions outside town to respected vineyards such as Medoc and Chateau Mouton Rothschild and pretty wine towns such as Saint-Emilion. If your preference is for architecture - and perhaps shopping and dining - Bordeaux is a wonderful city to explore on foot, or on the new improved tram system.

The opera house Opera National de Bordeaux is the cultural heart of the city and an elaborate building in itself as well as host to world-class music. Place Parlement is filled with outdoor cafes for people watching, and St Andre Cathedral is a lovely 17th-century church. Place de la Bourse (Place Royale) is a pinnacle of the style of the city and is wonderfully lit up at night. And of course there are many places you can taste, learn about and buy wine from the local region.

Port Information

The language spoken is French but Bordeaux has many visitors so English is spoken in many shops and restaurants, although the French may be reluctant to use it. The currency is the Euro. Be aware that the river is tidal so the gangway may change angle quite dramatically over the hours as the waters rise and fall with the tide. These tides are also the reason the river is murky.

Bologna’s beating heart is Piazza Maggiore, in the city’s old center. A classic example of Renaissance town planning, it is one of the most graceful public squares in Italy.

The pedestrianised square is surrounded by the Basilica di San Petronio, the Palazzo Communale (city hall), palatial public buildings and Bologna’s trademark covered walkways ringed by arches.

Sit at an outdoor cafe to enjoy people watching in the sunshine during the day, and visit in the early evening to see the beautifully floodlit Fountain of Neptune, sculpted in 1566.

The Bonerowski Palace is a luxury hotel in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town. Dating back to the 13th century, it was then significantly renovated in the 19th century, at which time the entire building was raised up to three floors and a new staircase was added.