Athens was named after Athena the goddess of wisdom. Scented with mythology, Athens is a sociable city enlivened by outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets, parks, gardens and urban eccentrics. Almost every house and apartment has a balcony bulging with geraniums, and many of the city's streets and squares are fringed with orange trees. Even though you've probably come here to see the "glory that was Greece," perhaps best symbolized by the Parthenon and the superb statues and vases in the National Archaeological Museum, your best moments may come sitting at a small cafe, sipping a tiny cup of the sweet coffee.

The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is the political, cultural and economic centre of the country. It is a picturesque city situated on both banks of the Danube. Bratislava Castle dominates the town, around the castle you find a couple of interesting museums, such as the Museum of Jewish Culture and the Municipal Museum. Opposite is the Blue House, which houses the Exhibition of Arts and Crafts. Other noteworthy sights are: St. Martin's Cathedral, Bratislava's Town hall, the beautiful Slovak National Theatre.

Budapest looks its most beautiful at dawn, yet it is also spectacularly appealing at night. Even more exceptional is the perfect contrast between the right and left banks. Buda is built upon hills, the feet of two of them - Castle Hill and Gellért Hill - almost stand in the water. Facing it is Pest, as flat as a pancake. This is a vibrant city: it throbs with life morning, noon and night; visitors arriving from other countries get the feeling that something interesting is happening round every corner. Budapest is a remarkable and wholly unpretentious place.

Situated at the intersection of the cultures of the east and the west, the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana maintains the hospitality of a small town and also possesses the characteristics of a metropolis. It is a city of culture, home to many theatres, museums and galleries and it also boasts one of the oldest philharmonic academy in the world. More than 10,000 cultural events take place here: top quality musical, theatre and fine arts performers as well as alternative and avant-garde performers. Don't miss the National Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art.

Paris assaults the senses, demanding to be seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelled. Gaze impressive monuments and savor its gourmet pastiche of cheese, chocolate, wine and seafood. Paris is a city of vast perspectives and intimate streets, of formal espaces verts (green open spaces) and of quiet squares. Paris is relatively small as capitals go, with distances between many of its major sights and museums invariably walkable. Unforgettable walks exhibiting the best of Paris: stroll down the Champs-Elysees for the chic grand boulevard experience and Rue Cler for a more intimate snapshot of Parisian living.

Rows of steeples stacked on onion domes pierce the sky, earning Prague the name "The City of a Hundred Spires". Prague has stood the test of time: 1,000 years of art and architecture have collided with power politics and religious conflicts. New shops and restaurants have opened, expanding the city's culinary reach far beyond tradition. The arts and theater are thriving in the "new" Prague. The arts of the new era possess a distinctive Czech flavor. All of this frenetic activity plays well against a stunning backdrop of towering churches and centuries-old bridges and alleyways.