TRAVEL

DREAM TRIP : EUROPE PART I

Europe is a unique continent, which is not surrounded by water from all directions, and has an overland border with the neighbouring Asia. Physiographically, it occupies the northwestern part of the large landmass known as Eurasia and surrounded from the north by the Arctic Ocean, from the west by the Atlantic Ocean, from the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and from the southeast by the Black Sea.

Definition of correct border between two continents was a big question for geographers and politicians. Nowadays it is commonly delineated by the Ural Mountains in Russia, the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains.

Totally now Europe includes 51 independent states. Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are the transcontinental countries, partially located in both Europe and Asia. Armenia and Cyprus politically are considered European countries, though geographically they are located in the West Asia territory.

Europe's largest country is Russia (37% of total continent area) and the smallest one is Vatican City, which occupies only a small area in the center of Rome.

The most visited travel destination in this region is France with its capital Paris as the best place of interest, followed by Spain, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany.

But the specific Europian country i want to visit is United Kingdom and Italy

here are some interesting landmarks and beautiful places to visit in this two countries.Lets start with the UK.

Warwickshire

Delve into Tudor life at this interactive museum in England's most haunted building.

Spend the day at Ye Olde Tudor World, in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon and you’ll find yourself immersed in the horrible history of the Tudors.This award-winning museum brings the Tudor age to life in a series of entertaining, reconstructed sets and interactive features. Prepare to be transported back to the time when the Black Death was sweeping across England and Elizabeth I (Good Queen Bess) was Queen of the Tudor dynasty.What’s more, legend has it that the corridors of the 16th-century museum building are haunted – find out for yourself on a spooky, night-time ghost tour.

Northumberland

Alnwick Castle is the location used for Hogwarts Castle in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.’ It has been featured in other famous films as well, like ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.’ The castle is a lovely place for an afternoon stroll and offers wizardry and broomstick “flight” training, if you’re so inclined.

King’s Cross and St Pancras Stations, London, England

Both of these London train stations, which happen to be side by side, served as shooting location for the Harry Potter films. St Pancras was used for the exterior shots, even though King’s Cross was the station where Potter and his friends caught their train for Hogwarts. If you venture into King’s Cross station and wander over to platforms 9-11, you’ll find a sign that reads “Platform 9 3/4.” You can try and walk through it if you want, but you’ll probably just bump your head.

DREAM TRIP : EUROPE PART II

Italy is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. High art and monuments are to be found everywhere around the country. Its great cities of art, like Rome, Venice and Florence are world famous and have been attracting visitors for centuries. Besides its art treasures Italy also features beautiful coasts, alpine lakes and mountains. No wonder it is often nicknamed the Bel Paese (beautiful country).

Nicknamed the medieval Manhatten, San Gimignano is a village in Tuscany famous for its 14 stone towers. At the height of San Gimignano’s wealth and power, more than 70 towers were built to defend the town against enemy attacks. After the plague devastated the city in 1348, San Gimignano’s power faded, which kept enemies away and preserved many of the city’s medieval towers.

One of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, the Piazza del Campo is the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. The Palazzo Pubblico and its famous tower, as well as various palazzi signorili belonging to the wealthiest of Siena families surround the shell-shaped piazza. The twice-per-year horse-race, Palio di Siena, involves circling the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds.

On August 24, 79 AD, the volcano Vesuvius erupted, covering the nearby town Pompeii with ash and soil, and subsequently preserving the city in its state from that fateful day. Everything from jars and tables to paintings and people were frozen in time. Its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of people living two thousand years ago. Today Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy, with approximately 2,500,000 visitors every year.

Referred to as “The City of Water”, Venice is the crown jewel of water cities. Romantic gondolas, and Italian architecture along the Grand Canal helped earn this status. Stitched together with over 150 canals that have become central to its character, Venice has decayed since its heyday and has more tourists than residents, but with its romantic charm it remains one of the top tourist attractions in Italy.

The Colosseum in Rome is the largest and most famous amphitheater in the Roman world. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. The Colosseum was capable of holding some 50,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances. Spectators were protected from the rain and heat of the sun by sails called the “velarium”, that was attached around the top of the attic.