At the Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle), in southeastern Germany

 There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds. --Gilbert K. Chesterton

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(near Füssen, in southeastern Germany,in the Bavarian Alps) Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle), which translates to "New Swan Stone" castle, is not only one of the most famous castles in Germany, but arguably in the world. Appearing through the mountaintops like a mirage, Schloss Neuschwanstein was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. King Ludwig II planned this fairy-tale pile himself, with the help of a stage designer rather than an architect. He envisioned it as a stage on which to recreate the world of Germanic mythology, inspired by the operatic works of his friend Richard Wagner. The most impressive room is the Sängersaal (Minstrels’ Hall), whose frescos depict scenes from the opera Tannhäuser.

+ Built as a medieval castle, work started in 1869 and, like so many of Ludwig’s grand schemes, was never finished. For all the sums spent on it, the king spent just over 170 days in residence. Completed sections include Ludwig’s bedroom, dominated by a huge Gothic-style bed crowned with icarved cathedral-like spires; an artificial grotto (another allusion to Tannhäuser); and the Byzantine-style Thronsaal (Throne Room) with a mosaic floor containing over two million stones. The painting opposite the (throneless) throne platform depicts another castle dreamed up by Ludwig that was never built . (For a great view of Neuschwanstein and the plains beyond, walk 10 minutes up to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge), shown here, which spans the spectacular Pöllat Gorge over a waterfall above the castle. (It’s said Ludwig enjoyed coming up here after dark to watch the candlelight radiating from the Sängersaal.)

+ The castle’s throne room, which still did not contain a throne at the time of Louis’s death, is modeled after a Byzantine basilica; stars decorate its blue vaulted ceiling, which is supported by red porphyry columns. Louis was a patron of Richard Wagner, and paintings throughout the castle depict the legends that inspired the composer: the life of Parsifal in the Singers’ Hall; the Tannhäuser saga in the study; and Lohengrin in the great parlour. Despite remaining unfinished, Neuschwanstein Castle became one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe, receiving about 1.3 million visitors each year. It also served as inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

+ Neuschwanstein was built in a time when castles were no longer necessary as strongholds, and, despite its romanticized design, Louis required it to have the newest technological comforts. structure is complete with a walled courtyard, and an indoor garden. Neuschwanstein is equipped with running water, flush toilets and hot water in the kitchen and baths, and has a central heating system. The dining room is serviced by an elevator from the kitchen three stories below. Louis also ensured the castle was connected to telephone lines, though very few people had phones then.

In the seaport city of Barcelona, capital of the Catalonia autonomous region, in northeast Spain

 Barcelona is a seaside city with boundless culture, fabled architecture and a world-classdining scene.

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(in the capital of the Catalonia autonomous region, in northeast Spain) The seaport city of Barcelona, Spain’s largest port and second largest city (after Madrid), is the country’s principal industrial and commercial center, as well as a major cultural and educational center. It was allegdly founded in the 3rd century BCE by the Carthaginians or the Phoenicians, and it was later ruled by the Romans and Visigoths. It was captured by the Moors around 715 CE, but it was retaken by the Franks under Charlemagne in 801 and made the capital of the Spanish March (Catalonia). After Catalonia united with Aragon in 1137, Barcelona became a flourishing commercial center and the rival of Italian ports. In the 19th century it was a cauldron for radical social movements and Catalan separatism. It was the loyalist capital in 1937–39 during the Spanish Civil War; its capture by Francisco Franco brought the collapse of Catalan resistance and Catalonia’s reintegration into Spain. Modern Barcelona is known for its handsome architecture, including buildings by Antoni Gaudí.

+ When it comes to history, art, and architecture, Barcelona delivers. There is Gaudí’s iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, the Picasso Museum, and the Gothic Quarter. Yet, look beyond the landmarks and busy mercados (markets) and you will notice how nature steals the show (the city is literally surrounded by it.) On one side there are gorgeous sandy beaches that give the neighboring Balearic Islands a run for their money, and on the other, the Serra de Collserola mountains, home to Parc de Collserola (one of the biggest city parks in the world}. It may be the reason bike culture is big here: Numerous bike lanes make it easy to get around the Catalan capital. Spend a low-key afternoon cruising the revamped La Rambla (you will want to walk your bike once you hit the pedestrian-only drag) and stop for tapas and sangria.

+ Barcelona is famous for its Modernista architecture, including the iconic buildings of Antoni Gaudí. His masterpiece is the mighty cathedral La Sagrada Família (depicted here), which remains a work in progress close to a century after its creator’s death. It’s a bizarre combination of crazy and classic Gothic touches intersect with eccentric experimental flourishes and improbable angles. Even half completed, it is a modern-day wonder.Of course, there is much more to the Catalonian capital than its most famous church. Barcelona heaves with restaurants, art museums, and history-steeped neighborhoods ⁠(not to mention its incredible beaches).

+ The city borders on the municipalities of Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Sant Adrià de Besòs to the north; the Mediterranean Sea to the east; El Prat de Llobregat and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat to the south; and Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, Esplugues de Llobregat, Sant Cugat del Vallès, and Montcada i Reixac to the west.

In the city of Copenhagen, capital city of Denmark

 Copenhagen is the epitome of Scandi cool, modernist lamps light New Nordic tables, bridges buzz with cycling commuters and locals dive into pristine waterways.

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(in the capital city of Denmark) Copenhagen was once a Viking fishing settlement, but beyond the remains of a very old castle, museums dedicated to the famous raiders, and narrow streets between canals, you will find that Copenhagen is a modern city. Its colored houses of Nyhavn (shown here), Tivoli Gardens, and an old mermaid statue still draw lots of visitors.

+ Situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, it is separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the Øresund strait. The Øresund Bridge connects the two cities by both rail and road.

+ Originally a Viking fishing village established in the 10th century in the vicinity of what is now Gammel Strand, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the early 15th century. During the 16th century, the city served as the de facto capital of the Kalmar Union and the seat of the Union's monarchy, which governed most of the modern-day Nordic region as part of a Danish confederation with Sweden and Norway.

+ Copenhagen is now home to the University of Copenhagen(the oldest in Denmark}, the Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School, and the IT University of Copenhagen.

+ During the 16th century, the city served as the de facto capital of the Kalmar Union and the seat of the Union's monarchy that governed most of the modern-day Nordic region. The city prospered as the cultural and economic center of Scandinavia during the Renaissance, and by the 17th century, it had become a regional center of power, serving as the heart of the Danish government. During the 18th century, Copenhagen endured a plague outbreak and launched redevelopment efforts that included the building of the Frederiksstaden district and the establishment of institutions like the Royal Theater and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. In 1807, the city was bombarded by a British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars.

.+ After World War II, the development of housing and businesses were along railway routes from the city center. (The city's Metro serves central Copenhagen.)

+ Since the turn of the 21st century, Copenhagen has seen much urban and cultural development, as a result of considerable investment in its institutions and infrastructure. The city is now the cultural, economic, and governmental center of Denmark, and one of the major financial centers of Northern Europe; With its Stock Exchange, Copenhagen's economy has also developed rapidly in the service sector, Since the completion of the Øresund Bridge, Copenhagen has been integrated with the Swedish province of Scania and its largest city, Malmö, thus forming the Øresund Region. With bridges connecting its several districts, the city of Copenhagen is yet characterized by parks, promenades, and waterfronts. which are quite popular with its many tourists.

In the French Riviera (or Côte d'Azur), the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France

 Queen Victoria’s deathbed words included: “If only I were in Nice, I’d get better.”

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(in southeastern France on the Côte d’Azur of the Mediterranean Sea, near the Italian border) The city of Nicewas founded by Greeks (ca. 350 BCE; it was conquered by Romans in the 1st century CE and became a trading station. It was held by the counts of Provence in the 10th century. In 1388 it passed to the counts of Savoy. The city was ceded to France in 1860. (Sheltered by beautiful hills, Nice is the leading resort of the French Riviera.)

+ The deep blue waters of the Cote d’Azur are the dramatic backdrop for Nice, the cultural capital of the French Riviera, set on the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). Stroll, bike, or rollerblade the famous Promenade des Anglais, a palm-tree-lined, four-mile stretch that runs along the Mediterranean. A hike up Castle Hill offers up incredible panoramic views, while a walk through the pretty streets of Old Town delivers on cute cafés, a famed flower market, and busy brasseries serving delicious Provençal food. It’s easy to see why Nice was a haven for painters like Marc Chagall and Matisse, and if you need a break from Nice’s endless sun, you can visit local museums highlighting their work. .

+ Visitors tend to feel chipper here, strolling the Promenade des Anglais with unfiltered light spangling the Bay of Angels. For 200 years, it has created pictures for painters (Matisse, Chagall), a setting for sybarites and shadows for well-heeled decadence. It still does, while retaining its Latin soul in a Vieux Nice labyrinth pulsing with commerce.

Because of its beauty, its history, its architecture. and its natural spaces, the city of Nice made its entry into UNESCO in July 2021. Indeed, the capital of the Côte d’Azur has seen its name inscribed on the World Heritage List as “Riviera Winter Resort City,” which includes the Promenade des Anglais, also the tree-lined districts of Cimiez and Mont-Boron, the villas and hotels spread throughout its districts, the vegetation that is both local and exotic, as well as the urban planning and architecture that have shaped the city through two and a half centuries of tourist activity.. From palaces to baroque monuments, the Old Nice will give you its diversity and richness.
Sites to see: the Palais Lascaris, the Palais de Justice, the Palais des Rois Sardes, the Palais Communal Masséna, the former Senate, the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate (and the Chapelle de la Miséricorde) and, the municipal galleries.

+ Other places to see include sites of Cimiez, its arenas and its thermal baths. Also, Greek traces and vestiges of the Middle Ages, on the hill of the Castle and under the Garibaldi square. Stroll about the beautiful residences like the Château de l’Anglais and the Château de Valrose. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint-Nicolas with its icons, woodwork and exceptional frescoes. See also the Hotel Le Négresco (one of the ten best palaces in the world), Le Régina or Le Grand Hôtel.

In the Tuscany regio of Italy

 With its lyrical landscapes, world-class art, and a superb farmer's kitchen, the Tuscan experience is in symbiosis with its land.

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(in the Tuscany region of Italy) This region is a touchstone of art, food, and culture. Made up of stunning countryside and distinguished cities, Tuscany is an escape for gastronomes, cognoscenti, and Italian Renaissance fans. A bike tour through olive groves and vineyards is a way to breathe in the fine atmosphere: rolling hills blanketed with vineyards and olive trees, medieval towns, the Mediterranean coast, and delicious cuisine lure visitors, who when they think of Tuscany, the first images that come to mind may be cities like Florence or Pisa. Yet, Tuscany has been home to many influential artists and scientists. Think of Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Giotto, Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo Galilei. The Etruscan reign lasted until 351 BCE, when Rome conquered them. The Roman Empire brought peace to the region, as well as new technologies such as aqueducts and sewers. Former Etruscan settlements were colonized, and new Roman towns were founded. The urban plan was always based on that of a military camp: square-shaped with streets in an orthogonal grid. If you look at the map of cities like Florence, Lucca, or Pistoia, you can see the square grid of the original Roman town in the city center.

+ The Roman Empire collapsed in the 5th century, after which Tuscany had to cope with many invasions, and it came under the rule of the Ostrogoths and Byzantines. By the 12th century, the area had lost its unity. Most Tuscan cities gained independence and were ruled by different aristocratic families. The Florentines became the bankers of southern Europe while also excelling in other areas, such as silk production. Siena and Lucca also became wealthy for their textile manufacturing. At the same time, the Pisans benefited greatly from their location near the sea and maritime trade routes. After Pisa lost the Battle of Meloria against Genoa, the city began to lose its power. Meanwhile, Florence bought up Arezzo. This way, the Florentines gained enough regional strength to take Pisa under their control.

+In the Renaissance period, the family that benefitted from Florence's wealth was the Medici family. The House of Medici, an Italian banking family, made their initial wealth from trading textiles. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany enabled Florence to grow: by buying the island of Elba and annexing Siena. In the light of these expansions, Pope Pius V declared Cosimo Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1569. In 1737 the last Medici, Gian Gastone, died; thus making the House of Medici extinct. Francis Stephen of Lorraine (and his descendants ruled the grand duchy until 1859 (except during the Napoleonic period).

+ After the Second Italian War of Independence, a revolution evicted the last Grand Duke. In 1864; Florence became the capital of the Kingdom until 1871, when Rome became the Kingdom's new capital.

In the port city of Bordeaux, southwestern France

 "Most of the guests who stay here wouldn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret." --John Cleese

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(in a city on the river Garonne in the Gironde department of southwestern France) A port city, Bordeaux is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture of the Gironde department. Its inhabitants are called "Bordelais" (masculine) or "Bordelaises" (feminine). (The term "Bordelais" may also refer to the city and its surrounding region.)

+ The Bordeaux Metropolis is the fifth most populated metropolitan council in France after those of Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Lille. Bordeaux is a world capital of wine: many châteaux and vineyards stand on the hillsides of the Gironde, and the city is home to the world's main wine fair, Vinexpo. Bordeaux is also one of the centers of gastronomy and business tourism for the organization of international congresses. It is a central and strategic hub for the aeronautics, military and space sector, home to international companies such as Dassault Aviation, Ariane Group, Safran and Thalès.

Bordeaux is an international tourist destination for its architectural and cultural heritage with more than 362 historic monuments,making it, after Paris, the city with the most listed or registered monuments in France. The "Pearl of Aquitaine" has been voted European Destination of the year in a 2015 online poll. The metropolis has also received awards and rankings by international organizations such as in 1957, Bordeaux was awarded the Europe Prize for its efforts in transmitting the European ideal.

+ Lying on the Garonne River above its junction with the Dordogne, Bordeaux has long been noted for its wine production. As Burdigala, it was the chief town of the Bituriges Vivisci, a Celtic people. Under Roman rule it was capital of Aquitania province. As part of the inheritance of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Bordeaux became English in 1154 on her husband’s accession to the English throne as Henry II. It enjoyed great prosperity through a thriving trade with the English until it was united with France on the English defeat in the Hundred Years’ War (1453). As a Girondin center, it suffered severely in the French Revolution. In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, the French government was transferred to Bordeaux, as it was again in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I. Its university, founded in 1441, educated such figures as Montesquieu.

+ After many years of hard work, the "Sleeping Beauty" has awoken from its slumber. The city is beautifully restored and has an ultra-modern public transport system. The “Port of the Moon” is also now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Stone Bridge, with its 17 arches, crosses the Garonne, offering pedestrians a lovely view over the docks and harbor. Take a stroll through old Bordeaux in the Triangle d'Or and stop at Place des Quinconces, France’s largest public square. (The city of Bordeaux is an ideal base for exploring the wine region’s great sights and tastes.)

In the town of Sintra, western Portugal

 Located on the top of the Sintra mountains, a few kilometers from Lisbon, the Pena Palace is like the Crown Jewel, awakening feelings of mystery, discovery, and charm:

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(in western Portuga) The town of Sintra constitutes three parishes of Lisbon (Santa Maria e São Miguel, São Martinho, and São Pedro de Pennaferrim) and is within the much larger Sintra municipality, on the Portuguese Riviera. Sintra is situated on the northern slope of the rugged Sintra Mountains. An area of former royal summer residence, Sintra possesses a beauty that was celebrated by Lord Byron in his poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, and English author Robert Southey referred to Sintra as “the most blessed spot on the whole inhabitable globe.” (Sintra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.)

+ Rising from a thickly wooded peak and often enshrouded in swirling mist, Palácio Nacional da Pena is a confection of onion domes, Moorish keyhole gates, writhing stone snakes and crenellated towers in pinks and lemons. It is considered the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. A 19th-century castle, partly an adaptation of a 16th-century monastery and partly an imitation of a medieval fortress, was built for Queen Maria II by her young German consort, Ferdinand II. The castle stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area.

+ Ferdinand of Saxe Coburg-Gotha, the artist-husband of Queen Maria II, and later Dom Ferdinand II, commissioned Prussian architect Ludwig von Eschwege in 1840 to build the Mouresque-Manueline epic (and as a final flourish added an armored statue representing a medieval knight overlooking the palace from a nearby peak). Inspired by Stolzenfels and Rheinstein castles and Potsdam's Babelsberg Palace, a flourish of imagination and color commenced.

On the extensive grounds of the castle, Ferdinand created the Parque da Pena, a series of gardens and walking paths that incorporated more than 2,000 species of domestic and nonnative plants. Loosely adopting the conventions established by the English garden movement in the 18th century, the park incorporates natural elements throughout, adapting to the area’s rugged terrain rather than reshaping it. On another peak is Castle dos Mouros, which was built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries. The 15th-century royal palace, a mixture of Moorish and debased Gothic architecture, is in the Old Town section of Sintra. The palace served as a refuge for the royal family during the summer months, when Lisbon could become uncomfortably hot, and during times of plague. Although damaged in the earthquake of 1755, the palace was painstakingly restored, and in the 21st century more than 400,000 tourists visited it each year. (These buildings and the nearby Monserrate Palace and its park are among the best examples of landscape gardening on the Iberian Peninsula.)