In the city of Passau, in Bavaria, Germany, close to the Austrian border

 “The river is everywhere at once, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the rapids, in the sea, in the mountains, everywhere.”

~Herman Hesse, Siddhartha
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(in Bavaria, Germany, close to the Austrian border) The power of flowing water has quite literally shaped the picturesque town of Passau. Known as Dreiflüssestadt (City of Three Rivers), Passau is the place where the Danube meets the Inn and the Ilz. The picturesque city lies in Germany’s far southeast corner. Settled since prehistory and a former hub of the salt trade, it became the Roman village of Batavis, then later the Holy Roman Empire’s largest diocese and a sword-making center. Saint Stephan’s Cathedral, home of the world’s second-largest cathedral organ, is one of Passau’s favorite attractions. Many river cruises down the Danube start at Passau and there is a cycling path all the way down to Vienna. (It is on the designated heritage route, the Route of Emperors and Kings.)

+ Passau is notable for its gothic and baroque architecture. The city is dominated by the Veste Oberhaus and the Veste Niederhaus, both parts of the former fortress of the Bishop, on the mountain crest between the Danube and the Ilz. Tourism in Passau focuses mainly on the three rivers, the St. Stephen's Cathedral (German: Der Passauer Stephansdom) and the "Old City" (Die Altstadt).

+ Before the cathedral is a large square (Domplatz) with the Lamberg-Palais, where the Peace of Passau was concluded. The medieval Old Residence south of the cathedral and the baroque New Residence further west at Residenzplatz were the palaces of the Prince-Bishops within the city. Right beside the 14th century Gothic City Hall with its neo-Gothic tower and the big 19th-century former Hauptzollamtsgebäude (Main Customs Office) at the Danube is the Scharfrichterhaus -- an important jazz and cabaret stage on which political cabaret is performed.

+ Passau has become the economic, cultural, and communications center of southeastern Bavaria. Industries include a bell foundry, brewing, and the manufacture of clothing, bicycles, organs, and electrical engineering products. There is also a tourist trade based in part on the city’s role in passenger boat traffic on the Danube. The cityscape is dominated by the Oberhaus Fortress and the cathedral of St. Stephen, which incorporates the remains of an earlier Gothic structure. The cathedral contains one of the largest church organs in the world; this organ, built in 1928, has more than 17,000 pipes. The bishops’ palace and numerous fine churches in varied styles recall the era of the prince-bishops. The Gothic Town Hall has paintings depicting episodes in Passau’s past, including its association with the Nibelungen legends. The Niedernburg convent contains the tomb of Gisela, the first queen of Hungary. The city is the seat of the University of Passau Museums include the Oberhaus Museum, the Passau Glass Museum , a museum of modern art, and a diocesan museum.

In the port city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal

 “Lisbon is the city of shifting light, of rising hills, and sparkling waters.”

— Pablo Neruda
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(in Portugal) Lisbon, the city, port, capital of Portugal, and the center of the Lisbon metropolitan area is located in western Portugal on the estuary of the Tagus (Tejo) River, it is the westernmost capital city in continental Europe and serves as the country’s chief port, largest city, and commercial, political, and tourist center. The city’s name is a modification of the ancient Olisipo (Ulyssipo), and its founding has been attributed to the legacy of Ulysses (Odysseus), the hero of Homer’s Odyssey; to Elisha, purported to have been a grandson of the Hebrew patriarch Abraham; and, more credibly, to Phoenician colonists. Lisbon owes its historical prominence to its natural harbor, one of the most beautiful in the world.

+ Popular among tourists, Lisbon is filled with spectacular views and is also home to some of the best beaches in Europe. The amazing landscape, nice restaurants, and fresh beer just add charm to the beauty of this place. The district of Alfama, with its labyrinthine alleyways, hidden courtyards and curving, shadow-filled lanes, is a magical place to lose all sense of direction and delve into Lisbon's soul. On the journey, you will pass breadbox-sized grocers, brilliantly tiled buildings, and views of steeply pitched rooftops leading down to the glittering Tagus River. Pause at cozy taverns filled with easygoing chatter, with the scent of chargrilled sardines and the mournful rhythms of fado drifting in the breeze, and toast the city with a glass of Portugal's famous port wine.

+ In the 1990s, many of the districts were renovated and projects in the historic quarters were established to modernize those areas, for instance, architectural and patrimonial buildings were renovated, the northern margin of the Tagus was re-purposed for leisure and residential use, the Vasco da Gama Bridge was constructed and the eastern part of the municipality was re-purposed for Expo '98 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's sea voyage to India, a voyage that would bring immense riches to Lisbon and cause many of Lisbon's landmarks to be built.

+ This seagirt city of multicolored houses and elegant parks and gardens is no longer the capital of a vast overseas empire. It has been reconstructed as a bustling modern metropolis. In fact, Lisbon was designated a European City of Culture in 1994, and in 1998 it hosted the World’s Fair (Expo ’98). That event sparked the city’s biggest renewal project since the rebuilding that followed the 1755 earthquake, including the construction of the six-lane Vasco da Gama Bridge, then the longest bridge in Europe, and other extensive upgrades of the city’s transportation infrastructure. The fair also was the primary catalyst for the construction along the Tagus River of an oceanarium, marinas, hotels, commercial complexes, and entertainment venues.

In the seaport town of Almuñécar, in the province of Granada, Spain

 Almuñécar is a coastal town in Granada, Spain, with a rich history and a sub-tropical climate that attracts tourists and expats.

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(in the province of Granada) Almuñécar, a seaport town of Spain, is about 33 miles south of the town of that name. It is a place of Moorish origin, and is tolerably well built. It is a Spanish city and municipality located in the southwestern part of the comarca of the Costa Granadina, in the province of Granada. It is located on the shores of the Mediterranean sea and borders the Granadin municipalities of Otívar, Jete, Ítrabo and Salobreña, and with the Malagueño municipality of Nerja. The Verde river runs through its territory. The municipality of sexitano includes the population centers of Almuñécar (the municipal capital), La Herradura, Velilla-Taramay, Torrecuevas, Río Seco, El Rescate, and El Cerval. Since 1975, Almuñécar has become one of the most important tourist towns in Granada province and on the Costa Granadina; it has good transport connections and a football (soccer) stadium.
+ Almuñécar began as a Phoenician colony named Sexi, and even today, some of its inhabitants still call themselves Sexitanos. Under the Moors, Almuñécar blossomed as the fishing town of al-Munakkab or Ḥiṣn-al-Munakkab.

+ The Romans came to southern Spain at the time of the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage in 218 BCE as part of their campaign to subdue the Phoenician settlements along the coast.

+ With the decline of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, Germanic peoples, including the Visigoths, crossed the Pyrenees mountain range into the Iberian peninsula. By 456 the Visigoths emerged as the dominant power, and expanded their territory onto the southwestern Mediterranean coast. However, Hispania remained relatively Romanized under their rule. The Visigoths adopted Roman culture and language, and maintained many of the old Roman institutions. The Catholic bishops were the rivals of Visigothic power and culture until the end of the 6th and beginning of the 7th century (the period of transition from Arianism to Catholicism in the Visigothic kingdom).

+ Following the restoration of Christian rule, new architectural statements were made The castle was again extensively rebuilt and placed under the patronage of San Miguel. It was rebuilt and heavily fortified by the Christian King Charles III and last defended (by the French) in the Napoleonic Wars. acting in collaboration with Spanish partisans from Nerja on 27 May 1812. They caused the French garrison to flee and then tried to render the castle unusable but with little success (due to the gunpowder being damp). However, the Castle was finished as a military stronghold and following a cholera outbreak in 1830 the castle became the town cemetery, from which use it was cleared in 1986 to permit the restoration which is still in progress.
(The town's economy benefited from increased national and international tourism since the 1970s as well as neighbor Motril.)

In the charming region of Cotswolds, in central South West England

 The Cotswolds have gone from bucolic fantasy to billionaire's playground, pulling in an increasingly glitzy crowd.

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(Along the rolling countryside of southern England) Known because of the honey-colored stone used to build its villages, the Cotswolds offers visitors a great English experience. The area spans five counties and boasts some of England’s most impressive country houses, castles, and landscapes. Many local pubs also make it easy to experience authentic English hospitality.

+ Undulating across six counties, the Cotswolds region is a tangle of villages, thatched cottages, churches and mansions. In 1966 it was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surpassed for size in England by the Lake District alone. The Cotswolds, a ridge of limestone hills extending across south-central England, are part of the Jurassic uplands that cross the country from southwest to northeast. The Cotswolds escarpment rises from the clay vale of the lower River Severn and its tributary, the Upper Avon, and slopes eastward toward the clay vale of Oxford. Its crest is generally 600 to 700 feet (180 to 210 meters) high but reaches 330 meters in Cleeve Cloud above Cheltenham. The oolitic limestones provide fine building stone, which is much in evidence in the district. (In the Middle Ages the Cotswolds were open sheep runs.) The wealth obtained from the sale of wool and later from the domestic cloth industry is evident in the buildings, especially the churches that grace the villages and market towns.

+ The Cotswolds'a region along a range of rolling hills that rise from the meadows of the upper River Thames to an escarpment above the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham that is quarried for the gold-colored Cotswold stone. It lies across the boundaries of several English counties; mainly Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, and parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. A large area in the Cotswolds has been designated as a National Landscape since 1966. The designation covers 787 square miles (2,038 sq. km), with boundaries roughly 25 miles (40 km) across and 90 miles (140 km) long, stretching southwest from just south of Stratford-upon-Avon to just south of Bath, making it the largest National Landscape area and England's third-largest protected landscape.

+ During the Middle Ages, the Cotswolds became prosperous from the wool trade with the continent, with much of the money made from wool directed towards the building of churches. The affluent area in the 21st century attracted wealthy Londoners and others who own second homes here or have chosen to retire to the Cotswolds.

In the city of Munich, capital of Bavaria Land (state), southern Germany

 Tall tankards and high-tech cars, edgy art and Lederhosen -- Munich is where traditional and modern sit side by side like few places on earth.

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(in southern Germany) The city of Munich, capital of Bavaria Land (state), is Bavaria’s largest city and the third largest city in Germany; it lies about 30 miles (50 km) north of the edge of the Alps and along the Isar River, which flows through the middle of the city. Munich is undoubtedly the most beautiful and lively city in the country. The city is best known for its appealing architecture, great breweries, and fascinating Museums. Large parks, delicious German food, and jbeer halls add charm to this gorgeous place. Home to the largest science and technology museum globally, the city is filled with tourist attractions. Popular destinations include legendary beer hall Hofbräuhaus München, Nymphenburg Palace, and the iconic English Garden.

+ Of course, beer lovers know Munich as the epicenter of Oktoberfest, a celebration of beer and Bavarian culture. Hofbrauhaus, Munich's most iconic beer hall, has been serving up brews since 1589, and the city's Bavarian tavern scene is unrivaled. But if you are looking to go deeper on Munich, there is so much to see, do, and eat. Then there's the sights: Walk (or ice skate) through Olympiapark, or visit Munich's English Garden, one of the world's largest urban parks. Stroll the Marienplatz promenade and take in a view of the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, a giant clock that reenacts historical moments. (And in December, the city comes alive with twinkling lights and holiday markets.)

+ The Old Town is predominantly Baroque and Rococo. Italian models inspired the late 17th-century Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church), the early 18th-century Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church), and an 18th-century Marianist church, the Bürgersaal. Michaelskirche at Berg am Laim, the Asamkirche (also called St. John of Nepomuk Church), and the Cuvilliés Theater at the Residence were completed between 1746 and 1777. The last-named structure, a magnificent Rococo theater built for the Wittelsbach court, was destroyed in World War II, but much of its interior decoration was saved, and the theater was reconstructed. Among the summer castles built outside the town walls are Schleissheim and Nymphenburg. The latter’s hunting lodge, the Amalienburg Pavilion, is a Rococo masterpiece. Several palaces built by the Bavarian landed gentry and court nobility at the same time also survive. The New Town Hall (built 1867–74) was enlarged at the beginning of the 20th century. The University of Munich was moved from Landshut to Munich in 1826 by Louis I. Among the city’s other important educational establishments are the Technical University of Munich (founded 1868) and academies of art, music, philosophy, military studies, and film and television. Munich is also home to the headquarters of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, Germany’s official scientific research organization.

In the Algarve, the southernmost region of continental Portugal

 “Oh salty sea, how much of your salt is tears from Portugal?”

– Fernando Pessoa
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(in the southernmost area of continental Portugal and the southwesternmost area of the Iberian Peninsula) The Algarve, covering an area of 1,929 sq mi.),of borders to the north with the Alentejo region (Alentejo Litoral and Baixo Alentejo), to the south and west with the Atlantic Ocean, and to the east the Guadiana River marks the border with Spain. The highest point is northwest in the Monchique mountains, with a maximum altitude on Pico da Fóia. The western part of the Algarve is known as Barlavento and the east as Sotavento. Both have eight municipalities and one main city (Faro in Sotavento and Portimão in Barlavento).

+ Soaring cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches, scalloped bays, and sandy islands draw over four million visitors to the Algarve each year. Surrounded on two sides by the Atlantic, it's a paradise for surfers, especially along the refreshingly undeveloped west coast. The Algarve's sunny shores offer perfect escapes for all types, from those seeking the hot nightlife of flashy, energetic Lagos to those desiring secluded stays in rambling Sagres. Portugal's most southerly region offers historical attractions in former Moorish capital Silves and fascinating Tavira, great golf, fabulous beaches from Praia da Luz to Armacao de Pera, thermal springs at Caldas de Monchique, and miles of limestone caves and grottoes, cliffs and bays along its rugged coastline.

+ The region has its administrative center in the city of Faro, where both the region's international airport and public university, the University of Algarve, are located. Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Although Lisbon surpasses the Algarve in terms of tourism revenue, the Algarve is still considered to be the biggest and most important Portuguese tourist region; Its population triples in the peak holiday season due to seasonal residents. The Algarve is becoming increasingly sought after, mostly by central and northern Europeans, as a permanent place to settle.

+ King Afonso III of Portugal started calling himself King of Portugal and the Algarve. The most outstanding fact of his reign was the definitive conquest of the Algarve. Silves was taken from its last Muslim ruler Ibn Afan by Paio Peres Correia, Grand-Master of the Order of Santiago in 1242 and Tavira was also taken in the same year after Alentejo and most of the coast of the Algarve had already fallen in 1238. In March 1249, the city of Faro was conquered. From this date, Afonso III became the first Portuguese king to use the title King of Portugal and the Algarve. In the Treaty of Badajoz, of 16 February 1267, it was defined that the Guadiana river, from the confluence of the Caia until the mouth, would be the Portugal-Castile border. After the destructive effects of an earlier major earthquake in 1722, the 1755 earthquake damaged many areas in the Algarve.

In the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern, central Switzerland

 “Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake[s].”

-- Wallace Stevens
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(in central Switzerland,) In the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern, the town and municipality of Interlaken (meaning (between lakes) lies along the Aare River in the Bernese Highlands; Its name is derived from its position on the flat plain (Bödeli), 1,864 feet (568 meters) above sea level, between Lakes (inter lacus) Brienz to the east and Thun to the west. The town grew up around a convent of Augustinian canons (1130–1528). It is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most frequented summer tourist resorts, and its main avenue (Höheweg) is lined with hotels. Interlaken commands a magnificent view of the Jungfrau (13,642 feet [4,158 meters]) to the south and is a starting point for many Alpine excursions.

+ Once Interlaken made the Victorians swoon with mountain vistas from the chandelier-lit confines of grand hotels; today it makes daredevils scream with adrenalin-loaded activities. Straddling the glacier-fed Lakes Thun and Brienz and capped by the pearly white peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, the town is the gateway to Switzerland's fabled Jungfrau region and the country's hottest adventure destination, bar none. If the touristy town itself leaves you cold, the mountains on its doorstep will blow your mind, especially if you are abseiling waterfalls, thrashing white water, or gliding soundlessly above 4000-meter summits.

+ An important and well-known tourist destination in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, and the main transport gateway to the mountains and lakes of that region, Interlaken is located on flat alluvial land called Bödeli between two lakes,and alongside the river Aare, which flows between them. Transport routes to the east and west alongside the lakes are complemented by a route southwards into the near mountain resorts and high mountains, e.g. the famous high Alpine peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, following upwards the Lütschine. Interlaken is the central town of a Small Agglomeration with the same name of 23,300 inhabitants. The official language of Interlaken is German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect, Bernese German.

+ The tourism industry's frantic growth abruptly ended in 1914 when World War I started, though it resumed somewhat after the war. World War II brought another dramatic slowdown. Interlaken started to recover from the effects of the war in 1955 as Interlaken re-branded itself as a convention and conference center. Today, the two nuclei villages (Aarmühle and the village around the Bailiff's Castle) have been joined by new construction between them. The municipalities of Matten and Unterseen are also connected by new construction to Interlaken and share a common infrastructure. A referendum to merge the three political municipalities into one was voted down in 1914 and again in 1927.

In the city of Bristol, south west England

 Bristol is renowned for capturing the hearts of travelers, photographers, creatives, musicians, and artists.

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(in South West England) Bristol, a ceremonial county, is the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. The county is in the west of the combined authority area, which includes the Greater Bristol area (the 11th most populous urban area in the UK) and nearby places such as Bath. Iron Age hillforts and Roman villas were built near the confluence of the rivers Frome and Avon. Bristol received a royal charter in 1155 and was historically divided between Gloucestershire and Somerset until 1373. From the 13th to the 18th century. A major port, Bristol was a starting place for early voyages of exploration to the New World. At the height of the Bristol slave trade, from 1700 to 1807, more than 2,000 slave ships carried some 500,000 people from Africa to slavery in the Americas.

+ The city's modern economy is built on the creative media, electronics, and aerospace industries; the city-center docks have been redeveloped as cultural and heritage centers. There are a variety of artistic and sporting organizations and venues including the Royal West of England Academy, the Arnolfini, Ashton Gate, and the Memorial Stadium. The city has two universities; the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).

+ Today, Bristol is a quirky British city with hilly vistas and historic sights to explore. Visitors interested in ships will have a blast aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great oceanliner, and the Matthew, a replica of the ship upon which John Cabot sailed to America in the 15th century. The Clifton Suspension Bridge (shown here) is another must-see.

+ From a population of about 330,000 in 1901, Bristol grew steadily during the 20th century, peaking at 428,089 in 1971. The Royal Edward Dock enlarged its Avonmouth docklands during the early 1900s. Another new dock, the Royal Portbury Dock, opened across the river from Avonmouth during the 1970s. (Aircraft manufacturers also built factories).

+ The rebuilding of Bristol city center was characterized by skyscrapers from the 1960s and 1970s, mid-century modern architecture, and road building. Beginning in the 1980s some main roads were closed, the Georgian-era Queen Square and Portland Square were restored, the Broadmead shopping area regenerated, and one of the city center's tallest mid-century towers was demolished. (Bristol's road infrastructure changed dramatically during the 1960s and 1970s.)

+ The 20th-century relocation of the docks to Avonmouth Docks and Royal Portbury Dock, 7 mi. (11 km) downstream from the city center, has allowed the redevelopment of the old dock area (the Floating Harbor); the inaugural 1996 International Festival of the Sea held in and around the docks affirmed the area as a leisure asset of the city.

At the Aachen Cathedral, in the city of Aachen, western Germany

 At the border triangle in Dreiländereck (border triangle), one can stroll between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, all in a matter of seconds.

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(in western Germany) Aachen is a city in the North Rhine–Westphalia Land (state). Its municipal boundaries coincide on the west with the frontiers of Belgium and the Netherlands. It was a royal residence of the emperor Charlemagne, and it served as the principal coronation site of Holy Roman emperors and of German kings from the Middle Ages to the Reformation. The Palatine Chapel, a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture, is incorporated within Aachen Cathedral, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.

+ Originally a Roman spa called Aquisgranum, Aachen rose to prominence in the late 8th century during the rule of Charlemagne, becoming his favourite residence and a centre of Western culture and learning. From the coronation of Otto I in 936 until the 16th century, more than 30 German emperors and kings were crowned at Aachen. Aachen was fortified in the late 12th century and granted municipal rights in 1166 and 1215, and it became a free imperial city about 1250. Aachen began to decline in the 16th century. (It was too remote from the center of Germany to be convenient as a capital, and in the 1560s the coronation site was changed to Frankfurt am Main.) Aachen was frequently at odds with the emperors during the Protestant Reformation. In 1656 the city was devastated by a great fire.

+ Aachen hosted several peace conferences, including those ending the War of Devolution (1668) and the War of the Austrian Succession (1748). Occupied by Napoleon’s army in 1794 and annexed by France in 1801, it was given to Prussia after the Congress of Vienna (1814–15). The city was briefly occupied by the Belgians after World War I. It was severely damaged in World War II, and it became the first large German city to fall to the Allies (October 20, 1944).

+The noteworthy medieval churches of St. Foillan, St. Paul, and St. Nicholas were destroyed or heavily damaged during World War II, but reconstruction began soon afterward. The Rathaus (Town Hall), built about 1530 on the ruins of Charlemagne’s palace and containing the magnificent Hall of the Emperors, was also damaged and restored.

+ Depicted here is Aachen Cathedral, which suffered relatively little damage in the war. It incorporates the distinctive Carolingian and Gothic styles. The Palatine Chapel (built 790–805) of Charlemagne, modeled on San Vitale (in Ravenna, Italy), is Carolingian in style, and the choir (ca. 1355) and subsidiary chapels are Gothic. In the gallery of the chapel is the marble throne thought to have been Charlemagne’s; it was long used for coronations. Charlemagne’s tomb is marked by a stone slab over which hangs a bronze chandelier presented by Frederick I Barbarossa in 1168. There are many educational institutions, including the Rhenish-Westphalian Technical University, founded in 1870, the earliest in Prussia,

In the principal seaport and largest city of Rijeka, in western Croatia

 Croatia’s third-largest city, Rijeka, will surprise you with its diversity and vitality.

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(in western Croatia) Rijeka, the major port and industrial, commercial, and cultural center of this area, is found on the Kvarner (a gulf of the Adriatic Sea); a bustling blend of gritty 20th-century port and Italianate Habsburg grandeur. Rijeka is a vibrant city that combines the charm of its rich history with the modern flair of a bustling port. As the gateway to the Adriatic coast, Rijeka offers a variety of attractions for visitors, from cultural landmarks to natural wonders. You can explore the city's heritage in the Old Town, where you can admire the Roman arch, the medieval castle, and the baroque cathedral. You can also enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Korzo, the main pedestrian street, lined with cafes, shops, and street performers. (For a taste of nature, you can visit the islands of Krk and Cres, or the Učka Nature Park, where you can hike, bike, or ski.)

+ The city is situated on a narrow flatland between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic, spreading up the slopes and onto the landfills on the seafront. The name, dating from the 13th century, refers to the river called Rječina in Serbian and Croatian ()and Fiumara, or Eneo, in Italian, which empties into the Kvarner at Rijeka. The port is a primary naval base and a point of departure for coastal shipping. The coastal section of the Adriatic Highway begins in the city, which also has rail connections to Trieste (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Zagreb.
Shipyards and repair facilities, major oil refineries, a paper factory, and a diesel-engine works are industries of major importance.

+ A Roman settlement, Tarsatica, dating from the 3rd century, is thought to have been destroyed by Charlemagne about 800. Avars and Slavs had begun to settle there in the 6th–7th century, and a settlement (Starigrad, meaning “Old City”) had developed on the right bank of the Rječina by the 10th century. In 1471 it was incorporated into Austria, and it was made a free port in 1717, united to Croatia in 1776, and declared an autonomous city of the Hungarian crown in 1779. The French occupied it in the years 1809–14, after which the English expelled the French. Until after World War I, it was alternately under Austrian, Hungarian, and Croatian rule, during which period the buildup of the port and rail connections took place.

+ After 1918 Fiume-Rijeka became a major issue of the postwar peace settlements. At first it was yielded to the new Yugoslav state, but it was returned to Italy in 1924 after Mussolini assumed power and reneged on an agreement for a free state. Yugoslavia retained the suburb of Sušak and certain port privileges. In 1943, during World War II, the Germans took over Rijeka, which suffered extensive damage from Allied air raids. In May 1945, the Yugoslavs liberated the city after heavy fighting.

+ Rijeka has many Baroque buildings, a 13th-century castle, several early churches, and a university.

In the county of Galaway, western Ireland

 “Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.”

-- Pope John Paul II
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(in western Ireland) Galway, the city, seaport, and seat of Ireland's County Galway is situated on the northern shore of Galway Bay. (Galway city is administratively independent of the county.) It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the 5th most populous city on the island of Ireland and the 4th most populous in the Republic of Ireland. Located near an earlier settlement, Galway grew around a fortification built by the King of Connacht in 1124. A municipal charter in 1484 allowed citizens of the by-then walled city to form a council and mayoralty. Controlled largely by a group of merchant families, the Tribes of Galway, the city grew into a trading port.

+ Today, Galway, also known as Gaillimh in Irish, is a key gateway to West Ireland. It has long been known as "The City of the Tribes," and considering the vitality of modern-day Galway, this moniker could not be more apt. The Galway Arts Festival and Galway Race Week are two of the major events held there, but there are many more, such as the Oyster Festival.

+ With its tangled lanes lined with colorful shopfronts curving around Galway Bay, Galway is one of Ireland's most attractive cities. Bolstered by an energetic student population, it is one of the island's most vibrant, with musicians striking up in its atmospheric pubs and busking on its streets, a seafood-driven culinary scene, a jam-packed calendar of events and a bohemian soul. July and August bring long days that are great for exploring, but the high season also brings higher accommodation prices. And while these may be the summer months, fun in the sun is never a guarantee in Ireland. The shoulder season months of April, May, September, and October are great times to visit, with fewer crowds. These months can even see stretches of exceptional weather ⁠-- sometimes warmer and sunnier than in summer in some years. As always in Ireland: prepare for rain and celebrate when the sun is out. The winter months can be cold, wet, and dreary. It is not the best time for visiting, but should you be in Galway in these months, don’t worry, but be prepared to spend a lot of your time enjoying the live music in local pubs.

+ Yet, Galway is festive any time of year but especially during its annual celebrations (when you'll need to book accommodation well ahead). Standouts include late April's poetry and prose-filled Cúirt International Festival of Literature; May’s Galway Theatre Festival, July's Galway Arts Festival and Ireland's leading film festival, the Galway Film Fleadh. Horse racing and high fashion at Galway Race Week starts the last Monday in July, and late September brings the long-running Galway Oyster & Seafood Festival. At Halloween, the spectacle theatre company Macnas hosts an exceptional parade that features elaborate floats and sculptures.

In the city of Trier in the Rhineland-Palatinate Land, southwestern Germany

 “Germany, in the summer, is the perfection of the beautiful.” – Mark Twain

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(in southwestern Germany) The city of Trier in the Rhineland-Palatinate Land (state), lies on the right bank of the Moselle (Mosel) River, surrounded by the foothills of the Eifel, Hunsrück, and Mosel mountains, east of the border with Luxembourg. The Romans arrived at the Moselle River in 17 BCE and established Augusta Treverororum. Roman influence collapsed in the 5th century, and the city became part of the Frankish kingdom of Clovis. The city’s strategic position at a crossroads contributed to its rapid rise as a commercial and administrative center; it was the capital of the Belgic division of Roman Gaul in the 2nd century CE, an imperial seat in the 3rd century, and later, as Treveris, the seat of the emperor responsible for Gaul and Britain. After it became a bishopric in the 4th century, the town was a center of Christianity north of the Alps. Trier was designated an archbishopric in 815, its archbishops becoming temporal princes with power over extensive territory; they were made electors of the Holy Roman Empire in the late 12th century.

+ Trier has preserved more Roman monuments than any other German city. They include the 2nd-century Porta Nigra, a fortified town gate; ruins of 4th-century Roman baths and substructures of baths from the 2nd century; the amphitheater (ca. 100 CE) ; and the basilica, with the throne room of the Roman emperors, and the nucleus of the cathedral, both from the 4th century. Both the Porta Nigra (depicted here) and the basilica were converted into churches in the Middle Ages but have since been restored. The cathedral, largely Romanesque, was rebuilt in about 550 and extended in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. Other notable churches include the Church of Our Lady; the Church of St. Gangolf; the Abbey Church of St. Matthias (1127–60), with the tomb of the saint; and the Baroque Church of St. Paulin (1734–57), designed by Balthasar Neumann. Trier’s Roman monuments, the cathedral, and the Church of Our Lady were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. Civic monuments include the Market Cross from 958 and the Peter’s Fountain;, both in the market square; nearby are the Kesselstatt Palace and the Electoral Palace. The Catholic theological faculty, part of the university founded in 1473, was refounded in 1950. The city is also the seat of the University of Trier (founded in 1970). It also contains the Rhineland Museum. Trier is the birthplace of St. Ambrose, who converted and baptized St. Augustine, and of Karl Marx (1818), the German political philosopher and socialist. It was occupied by the French in 1797 and was formally ceded to France in 1801. Trier passed to Prussia in 1815, and the bishopric was reconstituted in 1821. The city grew rapidly in the 19th century but was occupied by France again after World War I and was damaged in World War II. It was revived as a commercial and cultural center after 1946 and was rebuilt.

In the historic city od Toledo, in the autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha, central Spain

 Toledo'shistoric center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.

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(in the capital of the province of Toledo and the de jure seat of the government and parliament of the autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha) Toledo,  a city and municipality of Spain, is primarily located on the right (north) bank of the Tagus in central Iberia, nestled in a bend of the river. It is known as the "City of the Three Cultures" for the cultural influences of Christians, Muslims, and Jews throughout its history. It was the capital, from 542 to 725 CE, of the Visigothic kingdom and was the venue for the Councils of Toledo. The city, seat of a powerful archdiocese for much of its history, has a Gothic Cathedral. Two bridges cross the Tagus: in the northeast is the bridge of Alcántara, at the foot of the medieval castle of San Servando, parts of which date from Roman and Moorish times; in the northwest is the bridge of San Martín, dating from the late 13th century. There are well-preserved gateways from various periods, including the Puerta Vieja de Bisagra. Important buildings showing Islamic influence include the former mosques of Bib-al-Mardom (Cristo de la Luz), and of Las Toernerías; the Mudéjar synagogues of Santa María la Blanca (12th century) and El Tránsito (14th century; housing the Sephardic museum); and the Mudéjar churches of San Román, of Cristo de la Vega, of Santiago del Arrabal, and of Santo Tomé. The cathedral, generally considered the most Hispanic of Spanish Gothic cathedrals, was begun by King Ferdinand III and Archbishop Rodrigo Jimenez de Rada in 1226. Outstanding among countless works of art are the choir stalls, the large retablo mayor (raised altarpiece), the ornate chapel of Don Alvaro de Luna, the Mozarab Chapel, and the Chapter House. There is also a rich museum that has a processional custodia (for carrying the monstrance and host) by Enrique de Arfe (1524) and a series of paintings by El Greco, Francisco de Goya, Sir Anthony Van Dyck, Luis de Morales, and others. The elaborate Church of San Juan de los Reyes, constructed by Juan Guas, is in Isabelline style.

+ Of the same period is the Casa de la Santa Hermandad, now partly a museum. Dating from the early 16th century is the Hospital de Santa Cruz, designed by Enrique de Egas, restored and now used for the Provincial Museum of Archaeology and Fine Arts. Construction of the Alcázar (fortress), which dominates the city, began about 1531 to a design by Alonso de Covarrubias and with a patio by Francisco Villalpando; it houses the Army Museum. Its defense by the Nationalists in 1936 was one of the most heroic episodes of the Spanish Civil War. Other renowned buildings include the Ayuntamiento (early 18th century), the numerous Baroque churches, the Neoclassical Hospital del Nuncio and the Institute of Secondary Education, the museums of El Greco’s house and of the Taller del Moro, and the modern Military Academy of Infantry. The city also has many parks and promenades.

At the medieval Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), in the city of Cologne, Germany

 One of the key inland ports of Europe, Cologne (German: Köln) is the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland.

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(at the point where the huge traffic artery of the Rhine River intersects one of the major land routes for trade between western and eastern Europe) Cologne, the fourth largest city in Germany, lies 210 feet (65 meters) above sea level, just below where the Rhine enters the fertile North German Plain. (The river at this point is navigable to seagoing vessels.) The immediate surroundings of Cologne are varied. The hills of the Bergisches Land lie to the east, while on the west is another group of hills forming a chain called the Ville. The North German Plain stretches away to the north and northwest, and the Rhine Valley winds to the southeast toward Bonn. Cologne is also part of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, the second biggest metro region by GDP in the European Union. Centered on the left (west) bank of the Rhine, Cologne is located on the River Rhine (Lower Rhine), about 35 km (22 mi) southeast of the North Rhine-Westphalia state capital Düsseldorf and 25 km (16 mi.) northwest of Bonn, the former capital of West Germany.

+The city's medieval Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) was the world's tallest building and is today the third-tallest church and tallest cathedral in the world. It was constructed to house the Shrine of the Three Kings and is a globally recognized landmark and one of the most visited sights and pilgrimage destinations in Europe. The cityscape is further shaped by the Twelve Romanesque churches of Cologne.

+ Today, Cologne still offers a mother lode of attractions, led by its famous cathedral whose filigree twin spires dominate the skyline. The city’s museum landscape is especially strong when it comes to art but also has something in store for fans of chocolate, sports and even Roman history. Cologne's people are known for their liberalism and joie de vivre; it’s easy to have a good time with them in the beer halls of the Altstadt or during Carnival. This is a city that combines history, culture, and art in a captivating way. The majestic Kölner Dom, a Gothic masterpiece that dominates the skyline, is a must-see for any visitor. You can admire its stunning architecture, climb its towers, or explore its treasury and museum. Cologne is also a hotspot for street art, with colorful murals and graffiti adorning the walls of many buildings.

+ In the 1980s and 1990s Cologne's economy prospered for two main reasons. The first was the growth in the number of media companies, both in the private and public sectors; they are especially catered for in the newly developed Media Park, which creates a strong visual focal point in Cologne's city center and includes the KölnTurm, one of Cologne's most prominent high-rise buildings. The second was the permanent improvement of the diverse traffic infrastructure, which made Cologne one of the most easily accessible metropolitan areas in Central Europe.

In the city of Evora, in the south-central Portugal

 “Any Portuguese town looks like bride’s finery – something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” – Mary Mccarthy

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(in south-central Portugal) The city of Évora lies in a fertile valley surrounded by low hills, 70 miles (110 km) east of Lisbon. Évora (altitude 300meters) is situated in Alentejo, a large region of wide plains in the south of Portugal, bordered to the North by the Tagus River and to the South by the region of Algarve. The city which is also not far from Badajoz at the Spanish border, is the main city of the region. Originally known as Ebora, it was, from 80 to 72 BCE, the headquarters of the Roman commander Quintus Sertorius, and it long remained an important Roman military center.

Later it was called Liberalitas Julia because of certain municipal privileges bestowed upon it by Julius Caesar. About 712 Évora was conquered by the Moors, who named it Jabura, and it remained under Moorish rule until ca. 1166. In the 15th–16th century the kings of Portugal began residing regularly in Évora. The city’s bishopric, founded in the 5th century, was raised to an archbishopric in the 16th. From 1663 to 1665 it was in Spanish hands. Fought over for centuries, Évora has a coat of arms that features two severed human heads. The cathedral, originally a Romanesque building, was restored in Gothic style (ca. 1400). São Francisco Church is a good example of the blended Moorish and Gothic architecture known as Manueline; it includes a 16th-century chapel created from the bones of some 5,000 monks. The city is the seat of the University of Évora, which was originally founded in 1559 to succeed the College of the Holy Spirit (Jesuit; founded in 1551) but was suppressed in 1759; it was reconstituted in 1973 as the University Institute of Évora, which gave way to the University of Évora in 1979. An inn, the Pousada dos Lóios, is situated on the grounds of the former convent of Lóios. Just outside the inn is the small Roman Temple of Diana, which dates from the 1st–3rd century CE After 1640 the city became a center for music study (and performance in connection with the cathedral and university). The Museum of Évora includes archaeological and art exhibits. The historic center of the city, with a defensive wall dating from the Roman, Moorish, and later periods and whitewashed houses adorned with azulejos (glazed tiles), was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.

+ In 1834, Évora was the site of the surrender of the forces of King Miguel I, which marked the end of the Liberal Wars. The many monuments erected by major artists now testify to Évora's lively cultural and rich artistic and historical heritage. The variety of architectural styles (Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, Baroque), the palaces and the picturesque labyrinth of squares and narrow streets of the city center, are all part of the rich heritage of this museum-city, Which is one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns.

In the picturesque town of Piran, located in southwestern Slovenian Istria.

 Giuseppe Tartini was an Italian composer and violinist of the Baroque era born in Pirano in the Republic of Venice (now Piran, Slovenia).

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(in southwestern Slovenia on the Gulf of Piran on the Adriatic Sea) The town of Piran, in Slovenian Istria. It is known for its medieval architecture, with narrow streets and compact houses. Piran is one of Slovenia's major tourist attractions.
; located at the tip of the Piran peninsula on the Gulf of it is a gem of the Adriatic coast This medieval town boasts a stunning oval-shaped square, named after the violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who was born here. Tartini played an important role in shaping the towns's cultural heritage. The town's main square, Tartini Square, was  named after him. In 1892, the 200th anniversary of his birth, a monument to Tartini was erected in Piran. The statue dominates the square, overlooked by the Cathedral of Saint George. Piran also offers a variety of beaches, where you can swim, sunbathe, or enjoy the fresh seafood. One of the loveliest towns along the Adriatic coast, Piran (Pirano in Italian) sits prettily at the tip of a narrow peninsula. Its Old Town is a gem of Venetian Gothic architecture.

+ The town was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1797; but during the years from 1806 to 1814, it was ceded to the Napoleonic Empire. On 22 February 1812, the Battle of Pirano was fought between a British and a French ship of the line in the vicinity of Piran. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Piran was an Austro-Hungarian town with over 15,000 inhabitants. It was a flourishing market and spa town with good transport connections. The first trolleybus line in the Balkans was introduced to public service on 24 October 1909 in Piran.

+ After WWI, together with Trieste and all Istria, the town was ceded to Italy. With the defeat of the Axis powers in WWI and the rise of Tito's rule, Piran was assigned to the Free Territory of Trieste, under Yugoslavian administration. The town was annexed to Yugoslavia in 1954. Much of Piran's population chose to emigrate to Italy or abroad in the final phase of the Istrian–Dalmatian exodus, rather than stay in socialist Yugoslavia. The annexation to Yugoslavia was ratified in 1975, with the municipality becoming part of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia. Until the mid-20th century, Italian was the dominant language, but it was replaced by Slovene following the Istrian exodus. Since 1991, Piran has been part of independent Slovenia. The territorial claims of Croatia and Slovenia in the Gulf of Piran remained a matter of debate in the Croatia–Slovenia border disputes that began after the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

+ Piran is now the seat of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Slovenia (EMUNI), founded in 2008 as one of the cultural projects of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean. The Piran Coastal Galleries, a public institution is based in Piran.

+ Depicted here, is Tartini Square:

In the city of Rovinj-Rovigno, in Croatia on the north Adriatic Sea

 Small is beautiful. Nowhere is that truer than in Istria, the compact, heart-shaped peninsula at the northern end of Croatia's coast, in the Adriatic Sea

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(on Istria, a triangular peninsula that is part of Croatia and Slovenia; it extends into the northeastern Adriatic Sea, between the Gulf of Venice (west) and the Gulf of Kvarner (east).

+ Istria has a history of being conquered and reconquered by different cultures: the Franks in 788, the Venetians in 1145, the Hapsburg Empire in 1348, Napoleon in 1797. Between World War I and World War II, Istria was part of Italy; following WWII, it became part of Yugoslavia, before Croatia became independent in 1991.

+ The northern portion is part of Slovenia, while the central and southern parts belong to Croatia. (A tiny strip of coast at its northwestern base is the site of Trieste, which belongs to Italy.) Istria’s highly indented shoreline, 267 miles (430 km) in length, exhibits many drowned valleys. The west coast has a score of small offshore island groups, the most notable being Brioni (Brijuni). The terrain consists of a limestone plateau, much of which lacks water due to its karst topography. The northeast section consists of the mountains of the Dinaric Alps, with a maximum elevation of 4,596 feet (1,401 meters) at Mount Učka. These modest heights slope gradually south and west in undulating terraces toward the Adriatic. Parts of the peninsula have thick forests, and places suffering from extensive timber cutting are being reforested. In the waterless karst areas a scrub vegetation prevails. A Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters.

The population of Istria, approximately two-thirds of which is Croatian, engages mostly in agriculture. Wheat, corn (maize), rye, oats, figs, fruit, and olives are grown in the fertile western and southeastern coastal areas, and cattle are bred. There has been an increase in viticulture, and fishing (and shipbuilding) are other activities. Salt is obtained from seawater at Piran and Portorož in Slovenia. Raša, in Croatia, is an important site for the mining of high-quality anthracite coal; and bauxite, building stone, and quartz are also extracted. Istria’s most important town and harbor is Pula, which has a well-preserved Roman amphitheater. Opatija and Brioni are best known as seaside resorts.After World War I, Italy forcibly seized the peninsula from Austria in 1919 and afterward tried to Italianize the population. But, following Italy’s defeat in World War II, Yugoslavia occupied most of Istria in 1947. The peninsula’s northwestern section, around Trieste, was finally divided between Italy and Yugoslavia in 1954 after decades of diplomatic wrangling and periodic political crises. Istria quietly became part of Croatia and Slovenia in 1991 when those states became independent nations. (Italian minorities remain in both the Slovene and Croatian parts.)

+ Shown here is Rovinj-Rovigno, a city in Croatia on the north Adriatic Sea:

In the city of Brașov, in the Transylvania region of Romania

 “But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all more strong together. ― Bram Stoker, Dracula

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(on the northern slope of the Transylvanian Alps, in central Romania} The city
of Brașov, capital of Brașov County is one of the largest cities of the country; it is in the Southern Carpathians, surrounded on three sides by mountains, 105 miles (170 km) north-northwest of Bucharest by road.

+ Right in the center of Romania is Brasov, a harmonious mixture of traditional charm and modern city life. Ride a double-decker bus around the city to get your bearings and observe the sites whiz by, then hop off to squeeze down Strada Sforii, the narrowest street in Europe. Take a day trip to see the fortified church of Prejmer, the Libearty brown bear sanctuary, and the decidedly ominous Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle.

+ Founded by Teutonic Knights in 1211 and first mentioned in documents as Brașov in 1251, it became the center of a Saxon colony trading in cloth, weapons, metalwork, and wax throughout much of Walachia and Moldavia. The substantial autonomy of its German inhabitants was ended in 1876 with the abolition of their separate national status. The old (inner) town, heavily fortified in the 15th century against the Turks, survived with little damage and contains many historic buildings, including the Town Hall, the 190-foot (58-meter) watchtower, also called Trumpeter’s Tower, the Orthodox St. Nicholas’ Church, and St. Bartholomew’s Church (the oldest building in Brașov). In Brașov are several theaters and museums and a university. “The Apostle of Transylvania,” Johannes Honterus, who led the Protestant Reformation in the area, lived and died in Brașov (then Kronstadt) and established the first printing press in Transylvania there (in 1535). The first book printed in the Romanian language, by the deacon Coresi, was published in Brașov in the mid-16th century. (Education in Romanian was introduced there in the first Romanian school (in 1559.)

+ Part of the historical region of Transylvania. Brașov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km (103 mi.) north of Bucharest and 380 km (236 mi.) from the Black Sea. Historically, the city was the center of the Burzenland (Romanian: Țara Bârsei), once dominated by the Transylvanian Saxons (German: Siebenbürger Sachsen), and a significant commercial hub on the trade roads between Austria (then Archduchy of Austria, within the Habsburg monarchy, and subsequently Austrian Empire) and Turkey (then Ottoman Empire).

+This medieval town in the very heart of Transylvania is surrounded by the majestic Carpathian Mountains, which offers marvelous views and numerous outdoor activities. You can explore the Gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture of the OldTown, visit the impressive Saint Nicholas' Cathedral and the largest Gothic church in Romania, or walk along the narrow Rope Street, one of the smallest in Europe. You can also take a cable car to the top of Mount Tâmpa.

In the city of Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. southwest Germany

 When the city's 18th century sandstone Alte Brücke, or old bridge, is lit up you can see what Mark Twain meant about the beauty of Heidelberg at night.

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(on the Neckar river in southwest Germany) Heidelberg is a city in the state of Baden-Württemberg; it is located some 78 km (48 mi.) south of Frankfurt am Main. The fifth-largest city in Baden-Württemberg. Heidelberg is part of the densely populated Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. The city's University, founded in 1386, is Germany's oldest and one of Europe's most reputable. Heidelberg is a scientific hub in Germany and home to several internationally renowned research facilities adjacent to its university, including the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and four Max Planck Institutes.The city has also been a hub for the arts, especially literature, throughout the centuries, and it was designated a "City of Literature" by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.Heidelberg was a seat of government of the former Electorate of the Palatinate and is a popular tourist destination, due to its romantic cityscape, including Heidelberg Castle, the Philosophers' Walk, and the Baroque Old Town.

+ Heidelberg is located on the eastern edge of the Upper Rhine Plain (German: Oberrheinebene), at the place where the river Neckar leaves its valley through the Odenwald mountains and begins the last leg of its journey across the plain towards Mannheim, where it merges into the Rhine about 20 km. A part of Heidelberg, including the historical Old Town and the Heidelberg Castle, is located in the narrow Neckar valley.

+ The U.S. 44th Infantry Division took part in combat in Western Europe throughout 1944 and early 1945, and the division's artillery commander became the subject of international headlines in March 1945, when he helped save Heidelberg from bombing by persuading Nazi troops to withdraw. On 29 March 1945, German troops left the city after destroying three arches of the old bridge, Heidelberg's treasured river crossing. The U.S. Army (63rd Infantry, 7th Army) entered the town on 30 March 1945. The civilian population surrendered without resistance.

+ Heidelberg, unlike most German cities and towns, was spared from Allied bombing raids during the war. Other university towns, such as Tübingen and Göttingen, were spared bombing as well. Allied air raids focused extensively on the nearby industrial cities of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen. The U.S. Army may have selected Heidelberg as a garrison base because of its excellent infrastructure, including the Heidelberg–Mannheim Autobahn (motorway), which connected to the Mannheim–Darmstadt–Frankfurt Autobahn, and the U.S. Army installations in Mannheim and Frankfurt. The intact rail infrastructure was more important in the late 1940s and early 1950s when most heavy loads were still carried by train, not by truck. Heidelberg had the untouched Wehrmacht barracks, the "Grossdeutschland Kaserne" which the US Army occupied soon after, renaming it the Campbell Barracks.

At the Castle de Chambord in the Loir-et-Cher département of the Centre région, of central France

 A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.

Moliere
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(in the Loir-et-Cher département of the Centre région, of central France) The Centre région is bounded by the régions of Normandy and Île-de-France to the north, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté to the east, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to the southeast, Nouvelle-Aquitaine to the south, and Pays de la Loire to the west.

The village of Chambord lies on the left bank of the Cosson River, east of Blois. It lies in the 13,600-acre (5,500-hectare) National Hunting Reserve and Breeding Park, which is surrounded by the longest wall (20 miles [32 km]) in all of France. Its famous Renaissance château, with 440 rooms, is the largest of the Loire Valley group. Originally a hunting lodge of the counts of Blois, it was completely rebuilt by Francis I and Henry II, beginning in 1519. Molière wrote Monsieur de Pourceaugnac (and some of Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme) at the château, where he also performed them for Louis XIV. Louis XV loaned the château to his father-in-law, Stanisław I Leszczynski, (from 1725 to 1733), and then rewarded Marshal Maurice de Saxe for the victory of Fontenoy by deeding the domain to him. Napoleon made a gift of the neglected property to Marshal Louis-Alexandre Berthier, from whose widow it was purchased by public subscription in 1821 for the duke of Bordeaux, who took the title of count of Chambord. The château was purchased by the state in 1930. One highlight is a double-helix staircase, at the heart of the château, allowing visitors to ascend and descend at the same time.

+ Featured here is the Château de Chambord in Chambord, with its surrounding moat, located in the eastern part of the Loire River valley. It was designed by architect Domenico da Cortona. Construction of the château began in 1519 and continued into the 17th century. It is the largest and most extravagant of the Loire châteaux and one of the finest examples of French Renaissance architecture. The château was constructed for King Francis I after his return from the French campaign in Italy, and its style can be directly linked to the monarch’s wish to adopt new Italian models. Domenico da Cortona, a Tuscan artist involved in other royal castle projects, supervised construction of the château and provided wooden design models.

+ The castle is constructed on an unprecedented scale -- a rectangular plan of 512 feet (156 meters) on its major facades, marked at each corner by round towers. The fantastic outline of the upper parts bristle with more than 300 chimneys, dormer windows, and turrets. The core of the building is its keep, or donjon, a centralized structure that measures 144 feet (44 meters) on each side, with a main hall built to a Greek-cross plan, which is said to have been derived from Donato Bramante’s original plans for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A motif of salamanders, Francis I’s emblem, appears throughout the castle.

In the city of Salzburg, the capital of Salzburg a federal state in north-central Austria.

 "If only the whole world could feel the power of harmony."

-- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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(in the city of Salzburg, the capital of Salzburg a federal state in north-central Austria.) It is found in a level basin on both sides of the Salzach River near the northern foothills of the Alps and the Bavarian (German) border. The historic center of the city, with its mix of art and architecture, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. The city stands on the site of the Roman settlement of Iuvavum. Salzburg was founded as an episcopal see in 696 and became a seat of the archbishop in 798. Its main sources of income were salt extraction, trade, as well as gold mining. Hohensalzburg, one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe, dates from the 11th century. In the 17th century, Salzburg became a center of the Counter-Reformation, with monasteries and many Baroque churches built here.

+ Salzburg's historic center (German: Altstadt) is renowned for its Baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. (The city has three universities and a large population of students.)

+ Independence from Bavaria was secured in the late 14th century. Salzburg was the seat of the Archbishopric of Salzburg, a prince-bishopric of the Holy Roman Empire. As the Reformation movement gained steam, riots broke out among peasants in the areas in and around Salzburg. The Archbishop had to flee to the safety of the fortress, which was besieged for three months in 1525. Eventually, tensions were quelled, and the city's independence led to an increase in wealth and prosperity, culminating in the late 16th to 18th centuries under the Prince Archbishops Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, Markus Sittikus, and Paris Lodron. It was in the 17th century that architects rebuilt the city center as it is today, along with many palaces.

+ In 1772–1803, under archbishop Hieronymus Graf von Colloredo, Salzburg was a center of late Illuminism. Colloredo is known for being one of the main employers of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Colloredo often had arguments with Mozart and he dismissed him by saying, Soll er doch gehen, ich brauche ihn nicht! (He should go; I don't need him!). Mozart left Salzburg for Vienna in 1781 with his family. In 1803, the archbishopric was secularised by Emperor Napoleon; he transferred the territory to Ferdinando III of Tuscany, former Grand Duke of Tuscany, as the Electorate of Salzburg. In 1805, Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire, along with the Berchtesgaden Provostry. In 1809, the territory of Salzburg was transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria after Austria's defeat at Wagram. With the Treaty of Munich, Salzburg was returned to Austria. In 1850, Salzburg's status was restored as the capital of the Duchy of Salzburg, a crownland of the Austrian Empire. The city became part of Austria-Hungary in 1866 as the capital of a crownland of the Austrian Empire. (The nostalgia of the Romantic Era soon led to increased tourism.)