In the city of Mons, in the Walloon Region of southwestern Belgium

 Unlike the Flemish, the Walloons do not consider themselves a nation or desire an independent state.

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(in the Walloon Region of southwestern Belgium) Mons is a city and municipality of Wallonia, and the capital of the province of Hainaut. Mons is located in the western part of Belgium, just 21 km (~13 mi.) from the country's borders with France and 70 km away from Brussels. It is built on a hill. and on the top of the hill lies the famous Belfry one of the three UNESCO sites in the city.

+ More specifically, Mons is set on a knoll between the Trouille and Haine rivers, at the junction of the Nimy-Blaton Canal and the Canal du Centre. (The Nimy-Blaton Canal replaces that of Mono Condé, built by Napoleon, which has been filled and now serves as a vehicle route to France.)

+ Peopled since prehistoric times, Mons originated as a Roman camp ("Castrilocus") in the 3rd century; it grew around an abbey founded (ca. 650) by St. Waudru (or Waltrudis), daughter of the Count of Hainaut. During the 9th century, turreted ramparts encircled the town. Recognized by Charlemagne as the capital of Hainaut (in 804), it prospered as a cloth-weaving center between the 14th and the 16th centuries. Mons was well fortified; its most extensive defenses were built by the French military engineer Sébastien, Le Prestre de Vauban. It was repeatedly attacked and occupied by Dutch, Spanish, French, and English forces in the 16th–18th-century wars, and was ruled by the French, Spanish, Dutch, and Austrians prior to 1830.

+ Today, Mons is a city of schools. Among them are the University of Mons-Hainaut, the Polytechnic Faculty, the Academy of Beaux Arts, the Higher Institute of Architecture, and the Royal Conservatory of Music.
+ The forces of NATO's European command (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe [SHAPE]) have been posted nearby, on the Casteau Plateau since 1967.

+ Notable landmarks include the collegiate Church of St. Waudru, the Town Hall (the only Baroque-style belfry in Belgium with its 47-bell carillon), and several museums.

+ Mons was made into a fortified city by Count Baldwin IV of Hainaut in the 12th century. The population grew quickly, trade flourished, and several commercial buildings were erected near the Grand’Place. In 1814, King William I of the Netherlands increased the fortifications, after the fall of the First French Empire. (In 1830, Belgium gained its independence and the decision was made to dismantle the fortifications.)

+ On 23–24 August 1914, Mons was the location of the Battle of Mons. The British were forced to retreat, and the town remained occupied by the Germans until its liberation by the Canadian Corps during the final days of WWI. (There are several memorial placards here, related to the WW1 battles.) The main square is the center of the old city. It is paved in the manner of old cities and is home to many cafes and restaurants, as well as the Town Hall and Belfry.

In the seaport city of Porto, northwestern Portugal

 On the right (north) bank of the Douro River, the opulent city of Porto entices with its historic center and sumptuous food and wine.

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(in northwestern Portugal) A seaport city, Porto, was called Portus Cale in Roman times, though an earlier settlement had flourished on the Douro’s south bank. Held successively by the Alani, Visigoths, Moors, and Christians, it became an important port in the 14th century. Henry the Navigator was born here in 1394. It was the site of a British victory over the French in the 1809 Peninsular War. World-famous for its port wine, Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, is the region’s commercial and industrial center. 

+ Porto is one of the oldest European centers, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996 (as "Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar.") The historic area is also a National Monument of Portugal. 

+ Port wine, one of Portugal's most famous exports, is named after Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the packaging, transport, and export of  wine. (Porto is on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago.)

+ In Portugal’s Norte region you could begin with the UNESCO sites in Porto, Guimarães or the Douro Valley. Or you could escape to the unspoiled wilderness of , or the Atlantic Coast and beach after beach of tempting golden sand. And, then there is the wine, grown on the spectacular terraced vineyards on the banks of the Douro in the east and the Minho in the north.

+ In summary, Porto -- stretching along the sinewy curves of the Douro River -- is a city of hilly cobblestone lanes, avant-garde museums, and grand architectural monuments that date back to the Middle Ages. It’s also a top city for culinary adventures amid northern Portugal’s finest restaurants and wine bars. You will find maze-like neighborhoods that are a delight (mostly) to get lost within and vertiginous viewpoints teetering high above the terracotta rooftops. Some of Porto’s best experiences simply have no analog in Portugal (or anywhere else for that matter) -- whether walking Porto’s famed cast-iron bridge above the river as the sun sets beyond the seaside, or hunting down the latest street art carved into the walls in the lanes of Miragaia.

+ While here, be sure to take in the river views from the bustling Ribeira district (shown here): Porto started out as a sleepy fishing village along the Douro River on the site of the modern-day neighborhood of Ribeira. Today, the district buzzes with activity day and night. Although it is very tourist-centric, travelers flock to Ribeira for a reason -- notably its marveous views of the river. You will also find back-to-back restaurants and bars, craft markets, and street performances. Just back from the river, visit Casa do Infante, where Prince Henry the Navigator was born in 1394. Henry is also honored by a statue outside the opulent Palácio da Bolsa.

In the port city of Valencia, the third-most populated municipality in Spain

 "Far away places, with strange sounding names,

Far away over the sea . . .
Those far away places, with the strange sounding names,
Are calling, calling me . . .
They call me a dreamer, well maybe I am,
But I know that I'm yearning to see
Those far away places, with the strange sounding names,
Callin' . . . callin' . . . me . . . ."
-- lines from Far Away Places,
a song first popularized by Perry Como
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(on the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the western part of the Mediterranean Sea) The port city of Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, is a wonderfully liveable place with thriving cultural, dining, and nightlife scenes. Never afraid to innovate, Valencia diverted its flood-prone river to the outskirts and converted the former riverbed into a glorious green ribbon of park winding through the city. On it are the strikingly futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, designed by local lad Santiago Calatrava. Other brilliant contemporary buildings grace the city, which also has several fabulous Modernista buildings, great museums, a long stretch of beach and a large, characterful old quarter. Valencia, surrounded by its huerta, a fertile zone of market gardens, is famous as the home of rice dishes such as paella, but its busy dining scene offers plenty more besides.

+ Valencia, the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia, is also the capital of Valencia Province. The wider urban area, comprising neighboring municipalities, has a population of around 1.6 million (constituting one of the major urban areas on the European side of the Mediterranean Sea). It is located on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula at the Gulf of Valencia, north of the Albufera lagoon. Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BCE. Islamic rule and acculturation ensued in the 8th century, together with the introduction of new irrigation systems and crops. Aragonese Christian conquest took place in 1238, and so the city became the capital of the Kingdom of Valencia. The city's population thrived in the 15th century, due to trade with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, Italian ports, and other Mediterranean locations, becoming one of the largest European cities by the end of the century. The city's economy experienced a crisis upon the expulsion of the Moriscos in 1609. The city became a major silk manufacturing center in the 18th century. During the Spanish Civil War, the city served as the temporary seat of the Spanish Government from 1936 to 1937.

+ The city's historic center is one of the largest in Spain, spanning some 169 hectares (420 acres). Valencia has numerous celebrations and traditions, such as the Falles (or Fallas), which was declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest of Spain in 1965 and an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in November 2016. In 2022, the city was voted the world's top destination for expatriates, based on criteria such as quality of life and affordability.

At the Ross Castle, in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland

 "... When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure it's like a morning spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter,
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.
-- Chorus lines from When Irish Eyes are Smiling,
a lighthearted (1912) song written in tribute to Ireland.
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(in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland) At the northern end of the Ring Of Kerry, the market town of Killarney lies near the Killarney lakes, famed for their beauty, about 45 miles (70 km) north-northwest of Cork. Rising steeply to the west are Tomies Mountain and Purple Mountain, and beyond the Gap of Dunloe are Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest range in Ireland.

+ The three main Killarney lakes are Lough Leane (Lower Lake), Muckross (Middle) Lake, and Upper Lake. Lower Lake is the northernmost and, covering about 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares), is the largest of the Killarney lakes. Lower Lake’s 30 islands include Innisfallen, with a 9th-century abbey. Lower Lake is separated from Muckross Lake by the Muckross peninsula. Connecting Muckross Lake (680 acres [275 hectares], with four islands) with Upper Lake (430 acres [174 hectares], with eight islands) is the Long Range, a broad, wooded channel. The woods around the lakes are mostly of arbutus, with oak, birch, holly, and mountain ash. The limestone of the eastern shores has been eroded into curiously shaped caves and indentations. The lakes are drained to the Atlantic Ocean by the River Laune. The lakes and the remains of Muckross Abbey, founded in the 15th century by Donal McCarthy, are inside Killarney National Park, which also has many waterfalls and ancient forests.

+ With the town’s breathtaking natural landscape and access to some of Ireland’s most scenic mountains, forests, and coastlines, tourism is among the leading local industries. Killarney is the perfect place to stay if you are hoping to explore the Ring Of Kerry/Wild Atlantic Way and the surrounding area.

+ The town is on the northeastern shore of Lough Leane, part of Killarney National Park, and is home to St Mary's Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross House and Abbey, the Lakes of Killarney, MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Purple Mountain, Mangerton Mountain, Paps Mountain, the Gap of Dunloe and Torc Waterfall.

+ Depicted here, is Ross Castle, a 15th-century tower house and keep on the edge of Lough Leane, in Killarney National Park. It is the ancestral home of the Chiefs of the Clan O'Donoghue, later associated with the Brownes of Killarney. 

+The Irish had a prophecy that Ross could never be taken until a warship could swim on the lake, an unbelievable prospect:
("Ross may all assault disdain
Till on Lough Lein strange ship shall sail.")

In the town of Wyk, the only town on the island of Föhr, Germany

 "...I have drifted far and wide

I have crossed the seven oceans
I have crossed the Great Divide
But if you're ever looking for me
Let me tell you where I'll be
I'll be somewhere soaking up sunshine
On my island in the sea."
-- lines from Island in the Sea, a song by Willie Nelson
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(in the  Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, on an island in the North Sea) The island of Föhr, with miles of white sandy beaches, beautiful green marshland, and a pleasant maritime climate favored by the Gulf Stream, is a holiday paradise for young and old -- often referred to as the "Frisian Caribbean." Whether it's a family vacationy, a holiday with the dog or one for wellness; the island offers much variety and memorable sights.

+ A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Föhr offers its visitors a perfect beach holiday, healthy and relaxing nature and, (with more than 8,500 events per year). Guests will also find a nice range of restaurants and lots of holiday accommodations.

+ The fifth largest island in Germany is part of the North Frisian Islands.
Being one of the smaller German islands, Föhr is popular amoung Germans that want to avoid the busier islands. Thus, Föhr has developed a significant tourism economy. Föhr is well-connected to mainland Germany by ferry, road, and air transport services.

+ Föhr is the second-largest North Sea island of Germany. The climate is oceanic with moderate winters and relatively cool summers.

+ Having been a settlement area already in neolithic times, Föhr had been part of mainland North Frisia until 1362, when the coastline was destroyed by a heavy storm flood known as Saint Marcellus's flood and several islands were formed (Föhr among them). The northern parts of Föhr consist of marshes while the southern parts consist of sandy geest -- a type of landform, slightly raised above the surrounding countryside, that occurs on the plains of Northern Germany, the Northern Netherlands and Denmark. From the middle-ages until 1864, Föhr belonged to the Danish realm and to the Duchy of Schleswig, but was then transferred to Prussia as a result of the Second Schleswig War. Seafaring has long been the most popular trade, but farming and eventually tourism became the most important economic factors after the end of the "Age of Sail." The island can be reached by a car and passenger-ferry service, or via an airstrip.

+ Föhr is situated southeast of Sylt; it is the second-largest German North Sea island. Among those German islands which are accessible only by ship or airplane Föhr is the most populous and has the largest surface. Föhr is called "The Green Island" due to being sheltered from the storms of the North Sea by its neighboring islands, Sylt and Amrum, so that Föhr's vegetation is thriving compared to other islands. In the marshlands, a number of solitary farmsteads can be found, which were moved out of the villages during the 1960s.

+ The only town on the island is Wyk (shown here) on its southeastern coast.

At the Jungfraujoch, Bernese Alps, canton of Bern, Switzerland

 "The world stands out on either side

No wider than the heart is wide;
Above the world is stretched the sky --
No higher than the soul is high."
-- a few lines from Renascence (by Edna St. Vincent Millay)
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(in Switzerland, at the "Top of Europe") The Jungfraujoch (German: "maiden saddle") is a saddle connecting two major peaks of the Bernese Alps: the Jungfrau and the Mönch. It lies at an elevation of 3,463 meters above sea level and is overlooked by the rocky prominence of the Sphinx. The Jungfraujoch is a glacier saddle, on the upper reaches of the Aletsch Glacier, and part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch area, situated on the boundary between the Swiss cantons of Bern and Valais, halfway between Interlaken and Fiesch. Here, icy air sweeps over your face, snow crunches underfoot, and the panorama almost takes your breath away.

+ The name Jungfrau ("'maiden," or" virgin"), refers to the highest mountain overlooking the Jungfraujoch. Since 1912, the Jungfraujoch has been accessible to tourists by the Jungfrau line, a railway from Interlaken and Kleine Scheidegg, running partly underground via a tunnel through the Eiger and Mönch. The railway station, at an elevation of 3,454 meters, is the highest in Europe. It lies east of the saddle, below the Sphinx station, and is connected to the Top of Europe building, which includes several panoramic restaurants, shops, exhibitions, and a post office. Several tunnels lead outside, where secured hiking trails on the crevassed glacier can be followed, in particular to the Mönchsjoch Hut. (The normal route to the Jungfrau and Mönch starts from there.)

+ In the Swiss and Austro-Bavarian German languages, Joch ("yoke") is a term for a ridge between two higher peaks. The name Jungfrau ('maiden, virgin'), which refers to the highest mountain overlooking the Jungfraujoch, is said to have been derived from the name Jungfrauenberg given to Wengernalp, so named for the nuns of Interlaken Monastery, its historical owner. However, the "virgin" peak was heavily romanticized as a "goddess" or "priestess" only in late 18th- to 19th-century Romanticism.

+ From the south, the Jungfraujoch can be relatively easily accessed by mountaineers in two days from the region of Fiesch, via the Konkordia Hut. The north side (canton of Bern) is almost vertical with a difference of height of nearly 3,000 meters from the bottom of the valley at Interlaken, with no easy natural access. For those reasons, the only easy and quick access to the Jungfraujoch is through the tunnel of the Jungfrau Railway, accessed via Kleine Scheidegg on the north side -- the railway pass between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.

+ Administrativelly, the Jungfraujoch is split between the territories of the municipalities of Lauterbrunnen and Fieschertal. Nearly all built infrastructure, including the Jungfraujoch railway station, the Top of Europe complex, and the Sphinx Observatory, are on the Valais side of the border, in Fieschertal.