For centuries <b>Italy</b> has drawn foreign visitors - mostly for its architectural, artistic, and scenic splendors. Italy can truly be all things to all people. From the passion and excitement of noisy urban crowds to the quiet, rural idyll where the traditional life can be experienced. Italy's great cities are replete with rich attractions and culture alongside some of the most pristine beaches and spectacular mountains in the world.

<b>Spain</b> is one of the most popular countries in the world for tourists, and the experiences you can have while on vacation here can be just as varied as you are. The best way to experience Spanish life today is to visit one of its largest cities, such as Madrid, the country`s capital; Barcelona, its second city; and provincial capitals such as Seville and Valencia. Andalucia, the epicenter of Moorish rule in Spain, is known for its beautiful landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alhambra. The north of the country features such varying experiences as Catholic pilgrimages in Galicia, skiing in the Pyrenees, and immersing yourself in the culture of the gorgeous Basque Country. For beach vacations, Spain is tops, from the Costa del Sol to the Balearic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca to the Canary Islands.

Ireland, `the Emerald Isle`, offers some of the most beautiful landscapes and views in the entire world, from castles in ruins in verdant valleys to rocky cliffsides overlooking the Atlantic. It is a country that is fiercely proud of its native language and culture, and venturing outside the major cities, you will be able to view a more rural experience. This is most popularly achieved by driving the 111-mile Ring of Kerry in the western part of the country, or visiting the charming Gaeltacht where Irish is only spoken. But definitely do not discount the cities, home to charm, history, and great landmarks, such as the cosmpolitan capital of Dublin, and large cities such as Limerick and Cork.

<b>Greece</b> is THE land of ancient sites and architectural treasures: the Acropolis in Athens, the amphitheater of Epidaurus, the reconstructed palace at Knossos, the belly button of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos, and frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete. But don't expect a visit there to be a sober study of the ancient world, the Greek propensity for partying dates back to Dionysus. Then there are 1400 islands to explore. Greece is much more than what you were taught at school or the predictable summer image of glorious sunsets and sandy beaches.

<b>France</b> remains one of the worlds most talked-about and written-about destinations. Whether the romance of Paris sweeps you off your feet or you fall gently for the relaxed life of Provence, France is a place for lovers, and will leave you spellbound. Paris is undoubtedly one of the world's great cities, with enough monuments, museums, restaurants, theatres and shows to last a lifetime. The northern provinces of Normandy and Brittany are steeped in history while the Loire Valley is world famous for its châteaux. And there is more to explore.

<b>Germany</b>'s landscape is straight from the Fairy tales: castles, deep dark forests and mythical rivers. The German landscapes are extraordinarily diverse, with graceful big-city appeal, small picture-postcard towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a wealth of art and culture, and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts of forest, delightful castles and fine wine and beer. From Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire to the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, no other nation has molded Europe the way Germany has - for better or worse.

Thousands of years of history are on full display in vibrant <b>Portugal</b>, fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in western Europe. Each region of Portugal offers something unique to the traveler, like unparalleled beaches and resorts in the Algarve; rolling plains that lead to mountains in the Alentejo; delicious food and drink in the Minho and the Douro River Valley; and of course the country`s bustling capital, Lisbon, which boasts the best of everything that Portugal has to offer, from restaurants to historical landmarks.

A vacation to the isle of Britain would be incomplete without stopping in Scotland. Edinburgh and Glasgow are some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the United Kingdom, set in an urban landscape with many historic buildings dating from the Victorian era and even earlier, impressive considering Scotland was not spared from the Blitz of World War II. Further afield, rivers flow through beautiful valleys that reach the peaks of the Highlands, an area with its own authentic cultural traditions. Whether you are in mainland Scotland or on one of the offshore islands, this nation offers so many charming experiences for the traveler, from fairytale castles to abbeys in ruins to picturesque villages.

<b>Switzerland</b> is a pristine country of lakes, mountains and forests. The best known of the continent`s mountain ranges, the Alpine chain, runs through most of Switzerland and provides the majority of the country`s magnificent natural sights. In the summer, towns such as Interlaken become green mountain centers for walking and mountaineering, and there are few places more naturally beautiful in the whole of Europe. Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Lucerne are models of Swiss efficiency, offering a wealth of perfectly serene history. Less busy are the lakeside resorts, including fashionable Montreux on Lake Geneva.

Apart from Russia, no other country can stake such a proud claim to bridging `the East and the West` like <b>Turkey</b>, which sits astride two continents. It is called the `Cradle of Civilization`, where there are more Roman archaeological sites than in all of Italy, and more ancient Greek ruins available for viewing by the public than in Greece. The history from the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and finally the modern Turkish nation are all on display here, and the Turkish vacation experience can encompass everything from being in the hustle and bustle of a metropolis, to attending a whirling dervish dance ceremony, to sunning yourself on the country`s beautiful shores, to climbing mountains and skiing at top resorts, to enjoying an iconic hot-air balloon ride over the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.