In the city of Ediburgh, capital of Scotland

 Edinburgh is one of the most popular destinations in Europe.

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(the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, the highest courts in Scotland, and, the official residence of the monarch in Scotland.) It is also the annual venue of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. the Scottish capital is a very dynamic city and has much to offer all year round.

+ The city has a mild climate. Its proximity to the sea mitigates temperature extremes; winters are relatively warm, with average temperatures remaining above freezing, while summers are fairly cool. The easterly winds are often cold but relatively dry; warmer southwesterly winds coming off the North Atlantic Current often bring rain.

+ The city has been a military stronghold, the capital of an independent country, and a center of intellectual activity. It remains a center for finance, law, tourism, education, and cultural affairs.

+ Although Edinburgh absorbed surrounding villages and the Firth of Forth ports between 1856 and 1920, its heart still lies in its historic core, comprising the Old Town and the New Town. The Old Town, built in the Middle Ages, huddles high on Castle Rock. The New Town, spreads out in a succession of streets, crescents, and terraces. The medieval Old Town and the Neoclassical New Town were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.

+ The city, located in southeast Scotland, is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth; this dream in masonry and living rock is not a drop-scene in a theater,” wrote Robert Louis Stevenson, the 19th-century Scottish novelist, essayist, and poet who was born in the New Town, “but a city in the world of reality.” The contrasts that make Edinburgh unique also make it typically Scottish, it is also a city capable of warmth and even gaiety. Historically, its citizens have also been capable of passion, especially in matters royal or religious. In 1561, for example, a mob spurred by the fiery Protestant preacher John Knox tried to break into the private chapel in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Mary, Queen of Scots, newly returned from France, was attending a Roman Catholic mass. In 1637 a riot in the cathedral of St. Giles provoked a Scottish revolt against Charles I and precipitated the War of the Three Kingdoms, which engulfed the whole of Britain in the 1640s and ended in Charles’s execution. In 1736 the burgh nearly lost its royal charter after the lynching of John Porteous, captain of the city guard. Edinburgh Castle {shown here), dominates the city. Archaeological excavations have shown that the Castle Rock originated in the Bronze Age and has been occupied for some 3,000 years. Its first documented use as a royal castle dates from the reign of Malcolm III Canmore (1058–93), but successive phases of damage and reconstruction have been so extensive that little of substance before the reign of James IV (1488–1513) has survived.

In the city of Utrecht, Netherlands

 + It is hard not to fall in love with Utrecht, one of the Netherlands' oldest urban centers, and for centuries its religious heart.

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(in the center of mainland Netherlands, also known as Holland; "Netherlands” means low-lying country; the name Holland (from Houtland, or “Wooded Land”) was originally given to one of the medieval cores of what became the modern state and is still used for 2 of its provinces. The Netherlands’ southern and eastern region consists mostly of plains and a few high ridges; its western and northern region includes polders on the site of the Zuiderzee and the common delta of the Rhine, Meuse, and Schelde rivers.

+ Featured here is the city of Utrecht, the site of successive Roman, Frisian, and Frankish fortresses, it became an episcopal see in 696 under St. Willibrord. It was most prosperous during the 11th and 12th centuries, when it was an important commercial center. In 1527 it was transferred to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and became part of the Habsburg dominions. It was ruled by Spain until the 1570s, Occupied by the French (1795–1813), it was the residence of Louis Bonaparte, king of Holland.

+ Celtic and Germanic tribes inhabited the region at the time of the Roman conquest;a Germanic invasion (406–407) ended Roman control. The Merovingian dynasty followed the Romans but was supplanted in the 7th century by the Carolingian dynasty, which converted the area to Christianity. After Charlemagne’s death in 814, the area became part of the medieval kingdom of Lotharingia. Beginning in the 12th century, much land was reclaimed from the sea; The dukes of Burgundy gained control in the late 14th century. By the early 16th century the Low Countries were ruled by the Spanish Habsburgs. The Dutch had taken the lead in fishing and shipbuilding, which laid the foundation for Holland’s remarkable 17th-century prosperity. In 1581 the northern provinces declared independence from Spain, and in 1648, Spain recognized Dutch independence. The 17th century was the golden age of Dutch civilization. . The region was conquered by the French during the French revolutionary wars and became the Kingdom of Holland under Napoleon.

+ The Netherlands remained neutral in WWI and declared neutrality in WWII. It joined NATO in 1949 and was a founding member of the European Economic Community and is now embedded in the EU. Until it was overtaken by Amsterdam in the Dutch Golden age, Utrecht was the most important city in the Netherlands. Most prominent of the historic buildings is the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Martin, the construction of which lasted for almost 200 years, beginning in 1254. Now a university city, the medieval core radiates out from the Domtoren, ringed by a loop of canals, Utrecht's old city center has many structures, some dating to the Middle Ages. Utrecht was the most important city in the Netherlands until the Dutch Golden Age, when it was surpassed by Amsterdam as the country's cultural center.

At the Baroque Upper Belvedere palace, city of Vienna, Austria

 Vienna's Christmas markets are legendary, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe.

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(Vienna's Christmas markets are legendary, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe.)

(at the Baroque Upper Belvedere palace [shown here], with a small lake in front of it). In the evening, when the sky turns twilight blue and the lights go on, the building and its reflection form one of those breathtaking fairytale visions you see in tourism brochures and Disney films. During Advent, the Christmas market stalls and any water illuminations make this glorious photo opportunity even more impressive.

+ Vienna’s many Christmas markets started opening on November 8th this year and all the main ones are now up and running. They make you believe the world is a better place than news broadcasts and social media might suggest. Such markets feel a bit like being wrapped in a cozy blanket before a roaring fireplace, with a steaming mug of something warm and the company of good friends. (The only downside is they can get busy at peak times.) The 2024 market opened mid-November and continues until December 31st.

+ Most market stalls stock arts and crafts, handcrafted bits and bobs, seasonal decorations,  and many things in-between: all to an often remarkably high quality -- usually in historical surroundings that enhance the feeling of tradition. The typical Christmas market has made “culinary temptation” an art form. (Imagine the sugar fairy got loose, made a pact with the chocolate fairy, and then abandoned all reason and accountability.) Common treats include chocolate-covered fruit, roasted & caramelized nuts, Lebkuchen, innumerable pastries, and various varieties of pretzels. (Though you find many savory dishes, too, such as goulash, baked potatoes, etc.)

+ Souvenir punch mugs from the Stephansplatz market: A fine idea for the steaming mug of something warm is Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch); the drink comes in dozens of flavors and keeps the chill at bay on a cold winter’s evening. (Non-alcoholic options also exist).) Drinking this punch is not a “tourist thing” at all. Locals regularly meet friends after work for a mug or two around a bar table outside a Christmas market booth or freestanding street stall. The markets serve their punch in collectable mugs, and each market commonly has its own unique mug design. You pay a deposit when you order, so you have the option of simply keeping the mug as a souvenir and losing the deposit.

+ Listen to an advent concert at the Christmas market on the historical Freyung square: (Stephansdom cathedral also hosts concerts) Vienna fills with the sound of concerts in November and December, and not just the regular special performances designed to offer a taste of light classical Viennese music for visitors. Many other venues join in the fun at this time of year.

+ For a particularly resonant ambiance, consider a recital or concert in a church. Your top options around the center include, for example, Stephansdom Cathedral and the Peterskirche, Annakirche, Kapuzinerkirche, and Karlskirche churches. [shown here], with a small lake in front of it). In the evening, when the sky turns twilight blue and the lights go on, the building and its reflection form one of those breathtaking fairytale visions you see in tourism brochures and Disney films. During Advent, the Christmas market stalls and any water illuminations make this glorious photo opportunity even more impressive.

+ Vienna’s many Christmas markets started opening on November 8th this year and all the main ones are now up and running. They make you believe the world is a better place than news broadcasts and social media might suggest. Such markets feel a bit like being wrapped in a cosy blanket before a roaring fireplace, with a steaming mug of something warm and the company of good friends. (The only downside is they can get busy at peak times.) The 2024 market opened mid-November and continues until December 31st.

+ Most market stalls stock arts and crafts, handcrafted bits and bobs, seasonal decorations and many things in-between: all to an often remarkably high quality -- usually in historical surroundings that enhance the feeling of tradition. The typical Christmas market has made “culinary temptation” an art form. (Imagine the sugar fairy got loose, made a pact with the chocolate fairy, and then abandoned all reason and accountability.) Common treats include chocolate-covered fruit, roasted & caramelized nuts, Lebkuchen, innumerable pastries, and various varieties of pretzels. (Though you find many savory dishes, too, such as goulash, baked potatoes, etc.)

+ Souvenir punch mugs from the Stephansplatz market: A fine idea for the steaming mug of something warm is Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch); the drink comes in dozens of flavors and keeps the chill at bay on a cold winter’s evening. (Non-alcoholic options also exist).) Drinking this punch is not a “tourist thing” at all. Locals regularly meet friends after work for a mug or two around a bar table outside a Christmas market booth or freestanding street stall. The markets serve their punch in collectible mugs, and each market commonly has its own unique mug design. You pay a deposit when you order, so you have the option of simply keeping the mug as a souvenir and losing the deposit.

+ Listen to an advent concert at the Christmas market on the historical Freyung square: (Stephansdom cathedral also hosts concerts) Vienna fills with the sound of concerts in November and December, and not just the regular special performances designed to offer a taste of light classical Viennese music for visitors. Many other venues join in the fun at this time of year.

+ For a particularly resonant ambiance, consider a recital or concert in a church. Your top options around the center include, for example, Stephansdom Cathedral and the Peterskirche, Annakirche, Kapuzinerkirche, and Karlskirche churches.

At the Christmas Market in the Ravenna Gorge, located in the Black Forest of southwest Germany

 In the depths of Germany's Black Forest lie some magical surprises.

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(down a frosty lane, past old sawmills, waterfalls and snow-dusted trees, one can discover a Christmas market worthy of a German fairy tale.) Entering the market at Ravenna Gorge, in Baden-Württemberg, feels like arriving in a Christmas wonderland. More than 40 stalls are framed by the steep hills of the forest and the 40-meter-high Höllental Railway viaduct, on which trains clatter by every 15 minutes or so. (The smell of glühwein and roasting bratwurst fill the air.)

+ The best view of the market can be found on top of the Galgenbühl hill, behind hotel Hofgut Sternen, which has hosted such famous guests over the years as Goethe and Marie Antoinette. Head up there to watch the sun set behind the 12th-century St Oswald Chapel, the oldest surviving parish church in the High Black Forest, and admire the millions of fairy lights twinkling in the dusk.

+ Traditional christmas markets take place in many places in the Black Forest every year. The flavor of mulled wine, waffles and fir needles, candlelights and the cosy atmosphere attract lots of guests every year anew.

+ After dark is when the Christmas market really comes to life. The fires are lit, mulled wine begins to flow, and music plays among the trees. You might want to enjoy a heaped mound of kasëspatzle, a German cheese and onion noodle dish, alongside a burgundy mug of glühwein, but there is almost too much to try, from flammkuchen (a very thin sort-of pizza, with a fromage-blanc sauce base), to gingerbread. It can become a magical night under the stars.

+ Of course, Christmas markets have a long history in Germany; some trace their origins back to the traditional winter markets of the 15th and 16th centuries. In 2019, there were more than 3,000 Christmas markets across the country and now, in rural communities, they are often held on different weekends, to promote local produce and attract visitors.

+ In Hinterzarten, a village about 3.5 miles from Ravenna Gorge, and, at the Hotel Schwarzwaldhof, rooms are clad in traditional wood panelling, painted with murals. Across from the hotel, when the village market is in full swing, with glühwein and hotdogs and a local brass band (playing a mixture of traditional music and modern hits). Hinterzarten is also home to the Black Forest Ski Museum, where they share the stories and history of the sport in the region.

+ The nearest city is Freiburg im Breisgau, known for its 800-year-old Freiburg Minster (cathedral), its chocolate-box Old Town, and, of course, its Christmas market. With more than 120 stalls, it sprawls around the city's squares and cobbled alleyways, sprinkling some sparkle everywhere you look. Visitors can find mulled wine and traditional German foods, as well as ornaments, clothes and carved gifts.

+ On a total of 33 event days, from November 21 to December 23, 2024, the 51st Freiburg Christmas Market will take place this year.

In the city of Dresden, the capital city of the German state of Saxony, Germany

 (in Dresden, Germany) There are few city silhouettes more striking than Dresden’s. The classic view from the Elbe’s northern bank takes in spires, towers and domes belonging to palaces, churches and stately buildings, and indeed it's hard to believe that the city was all but wiped off the map by Allied bombings in 1945.

+ Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, copious amounts of mulled wine and some of the best hot chocolate you've ever had. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas across Europe, with hundreds of festive markets glittering brilliantly as soon as the first Advent door is opened. While Germany is the real fairy-tale deal, Christmas markets sparkle across the continent, come snow or shine, with crafts, choirs, light displays, and local grub.

+ The ultimate Christmas market in Germany is Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, which has enraptured folk since 1434. It is big, with 240 chalets welcoming nearly three million visitors each year. But it’s not just for tourists. The backdrop is spellbinding, with thousands of lights and, on the Altmarkt, the world’s biggest Christmas pyramid adorned with life-sized figures. The city on the Elbe fizzes festively with carousels and carollers, ice skating and stalls, doing a brisk trade in everything from beautifully handmade nutcrackers, Räuchermännchen (smoking men) and Erzgebirge crib figures, to Germany’s tastiest Christstollen, dense, buttery fruitcake sprinkled with icing sugar.

+ The Dresden Zwinger (shown here) still shapes the city’s image to this day, reminding us of the glamorous baroque period like no other building. A courtly work of art was created between the city’s inner and outer fortifications at the behest of Augustus the Strong. The architectural project, favored over a simple orangery, was carried out by Matthaeus Daniel Poeppelmann und Balthasar Permoser. The planned extension to the palace was replaced by the Picture Gallery and Semper Opera House. The museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden are now waiting to be discovered at the Zwinger: the Porcelain Collection, Old Masters Picture Gallery and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. From spring 2021, visitors will be able to discover the multimedia Zwinger Xperience, which will immerse them in a world of festivals, parades and drama with an exciting range of panoramic projections and virtual reality stations. What’s more, little orange trees give the Zwinger an extra Mediterranean charm from May to October.

+ The Frauenkirche, Lutheran church in Dresden, Germany, that has long been the symbolic heart of the city. It showed the beauty and power of Dresden and its dedication to Lutheranism, then later recalled the horrors of World War II, and now stands for the city’s resilience and the reconciliation between former enemies. Dresden’s city council commissioned the new church in 1722. Built between 1726 and 1743 to a design by George Bähr, the Frauenkirche was a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

In the city of Bergen, surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords, southwestern Noway

 The colorful Norwegian city of Bergen is also a gateway to majestic fjords.

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(n southwestern Norway) Surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords, Bergen is a beguiling city. During the early Middle Ages, it was an important seaport and a member of the Hanseatic League, as well as Norway's capital – a heritage that can still be glimpsed in the beautifully preserved wooden buildings of Bryggen (shown here), now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Chocolate-box, clapperboard houses creep up the hillsides, ferries flit around the fjords, and a cluster of excellent art museums provide a welcome detour: a large student population ensures the city has a buzzy bar scene and nightlife, and easy access to nature means you're minutes away from tranquillity.

+ Bergen's principal port and business section is on a peninsula projecting into By Fjord, bounded to the north by the inlet and harbor of Vågen and on the south by Pudde Bay (and the Store Lungegårds Lake.)

+ Originally called Bjørgvin, the city was founded in 1070 by King Olaf III Haraldsson. About 1100 a castle was built on the northern edge of Vågen harbor, and Bergen became commercially and politically important; it was Norway’s capital in the 12th and 13th centuries. An episcopal see was established there in the 12th century. A trade center for centuries, Bergen exported fish and furs and imported grain and manufactured goods. In the 14th century, German Hanseatic merchants acquired control over the city’s trade; their influence in a weakened Norway lasted into the 17th century. Bergen has remained the most important port on the west coast of Norway, despite its repeated destruction by fire (most notably in 1702 and 1916); wider streets and buildings of brick and stone have been built since those disasters.

+ Bergen is now the second largest city in Norway. It has developed a diversified economy, based largely on fishing, shipbuilding, and associated industries. Tourism has also grown in importance. Notable buildings are the 12th-century St. Mary’s Church, the city’s oldest structure; Bergenhus fortress, including Håkonshallen (Haakon’s Hall, built in the 13th century); and the Rosenkrantz Tower. Bryggen, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

+ Bryggen's Hanseatic Wharf will give you a sense of the local culture. Don’t breathe too deeply when you visit the outdoor fish market, a reminder of the city’s role in early fish trade. Ferry across a fjord to Lysøen, where the former villa of 19th-century composer Ole Bull will captivate you with charm.

+ Bergen is also the seat of a university as well as of the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration. Its West Norway Museum of Decorative Art has a fine collection. The Bergen International Music Festival takes place each year. Bergen was the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, violinist Ole Bull, landscape painter Johan Christian Dahl, and the dramatist Ludvig Holberg. ic of the season like never before.

In the historic city and capital of the Roma province of the Lazio region, and of the country of Italy

 Renovations have left Rome in chaos. Now 35 million visitors are about to descend.

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(in Rome, the historic city and capital of the Roma province of the Lazio region, and of the country of Italy). Rome is located in the central portion of the Italian peninsula, on the Tiber River about 15 miles (24 km) inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Once the capital of an ancient republic and empire whose armies and polity defined the Western world in antiquity and left seemingly indelible imprints thereafter, the spiritual and physical seat of the Roman Catholic Church, and the site of major pinnacles of artistic and intellectual achievement, Rome is the Eternal City, remaining today a political capital, a religious center, and a memorial to the creative imagination of the past.

+ Rome is worth a visit at least once, with its beautiful architecture and monuments, great works of art, small-town charm, slow pace of life, and world-renowned food, albeit seeing everything it has to offer would take a lifetime. The Grand Romantic ruins, opulent monuments, graceful fountains, and ornate statues are all testaments to its wealth and beauty.

+ Anyone visiting Rome in 2024 could be forgiven for being disappointed. While the city has no shortage of ancient treasures to explore, many of them have been buried under scaffolding amid extensive renovations.The city’s historic center has resembled a building site, with construction crews working round the clock on hundreds of infrastructure and restoration projects. The good news is that, when it’s all over, the Eternal City will hopefully emerge more beautiful than ever, served by a newly revamped metro system that will whisk tourists to some of the star attractions. The bad news is, just weeks away from a yearlong Roman Catholic celebration expected to bring up to 35 million to the city, much of the restoration work is yet to be finished.

+ The jubilee celebration is a regular Catholic Church event, instituted by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 and held every 25 years since 1470. It pulls huge numbers of pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican seeking forgiveness. During celebrations, the “holy doors” of Rome’s major basilica churches, normally cemented shut, are opened. Visitors who pass through the doors and carry out spiritual acts will receive plenary indulgences -- forgiveness for their sins.

+ The ancient Ponte Sant'Angelo stone bridge is among many Rome landmarks being restored ahead of the 2025 jubilee. The forthcoming jubilee will begin on Christmas Eve (December 24th) when Pope Francis opens the holy door in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. It will run until January 6th, 2026.) In that time Rome, already one of Europe’s most visited cities, is forecast to be inundated with record numbers of visitors at a time when many destinations in Italy are buckling under the strain of overtourism. For Italy’s capital, the jubilee has been seen as an opportunity to upgrade the city’s tourist attractions and facilities.

In the port city of Bordeaux, located on the Garonne River in southwestern France

 "Burgundy makes you think of silly things; Bordeaux makes you talk about them, and Champagne makes you do them." -- Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

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(in the largest city in southwestern France) Only a two-hour high-speed train ride from Paris and about the same to Toulouse; in Bordeaux, while the spotlight is on the area’s wine production, Bordeaux is a proper all-seasons destination, perfect for wine lovers and culture fans alike.

+ While Bordeaux wine has always been famous, the city itself has been revitalized, thanks to a 1990s regeneration project that spruced up the historic city. This new lease of life led to UNESCO status for the city in 2007, and now Bordeaux is the largest urban heritage site in the world.

+ Winter season is unsurprisingly quieter in Bordeaux than summer, but that is a bonus! Without the crowds, you can navigate the city more easily at this time of year, gaining entry to museums and historic sites without the lines, and generally getting to enjoy having a laid-back time.

+ Only a two-hour high-speed train ride from Paris and about the same to Toulouse, Bordeaux is the largest city in southwestern France. While the spotlight is definitely on the area’s wine production, Bordeaux is a proper all-season destination, perfect for wine lovers and culture fans alike. Indeed, it seems that Bordeaux in winter has as much going on as the summer months do, with a fraction of the crowds. With travelers to Europe always on the lookout for new and exciting city stays, the city of Bordeaux keeps growing in popularity — so skip the crowds by coming in winter. You won’t miss much of anything, and its red wines will be all the more satisfying!).

+ Just as Paris has the Seine around which Parisian life emanates, Bordeaux has the River Garonne. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of this river is by a river cruise aboard a vintage yacht. And don’t worry, there’s a heated interior, so it’s still a good thing to do in Bordeaux in winter. While you cruise, you can enjoy a hot beverage or a glass of wine and a canelé (a local favorite sweet), as you share a luxurious hour-and-a-half cruise through the heart of Bordeaux.

+ In winter, this cruise departs at 3 PM and ends at 4:30 PM, so you’ll get to enjoy the late afternoon light (the sun sets at around 5:30 PM in Bordeaux in winter!).

+ No matter the time of year, you can’t miss visiting La Cité du Vin, a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the history of wine. It opened in 2016 and has since become one of Bordeaux’s most visited attractions. It offers a wonderfully immersive wine experience, with a focus not just on local vintages, but wines the world over.

+ Every December, a two-day Bordeaux Tasting event takes place in the Palais de La Bourse, a magnificent 18th-century building originally housing a royal palace. This wine-tasting experience gathers together winemakers of the grands wines, or most prestigious Bordeaux wines, for amateurs to come along and taste.

At the Christmas market in the city of London, UK

 Few places elicit festive feelings more than the best Christmas markets in Europe.

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(in northern Europe) From the scent of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts to the sound of Christmas carols, markets are sure to bring out some festive cheer. Many of the oldest and most authentic Christmas markets are in Germany. Today their influence has spread across Europe, even reaching south into warmer climes. For now though, the most magical are located here.

+ Featured here, for example, is the city of London, which embraces Christmas in big and small ways. Mulled wine flows liberally in and around Covent Garden's Market Building (shown here), which is decked with 40 large bells, 12 huge ornaments, and eight disco balls lighting the building. The wider area is lit up and festive, with twinkling lights and attractive displays adorning the neighborhood's many boutiques, especially around Seven Dials. (Staying around here won't break the bank, either, as the nearby Royal National Hotel is London's largest hotel, which is an affordable place to stay in the heart of the city.

+ Ice rinks pop up around the capital, including Somerset House, inviting visitors to glide in warm ambient light under the building's imposing 18th-century architecture. For a more artisanal experience, head to Borough Market, near London Bridge Station. Mulled wine, Christmas pudding, and mince pies join the market's usual offerings of meat, fish, cheese, chocolate, and many other goods.

+ For families, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland offers a sprawling holiday attraction filled with rides, games, and market stalls. Prices are high, crowds are thick, and you may leave feeling like a customer, but the attraction will likely appeal to children and those who enjoy a Hallmark-inspired Christmas.

+ With wood paneling, cushioned booths, and crackling fires, London's pubs are very well suited to the Christmas season. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, for example), is one of London's most historic pubs, famously frequented by Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Dr. Samuel Johnson, the author of the first English dictionary. This iconic local on Fleet Street has several establishments spread across multiple floors, including the ground-level Snug Bar with centuries-old wood paneling.

In the city of Frankfurt am Main, in the state of Hesse, Germany

 Germany’s big financial center is a city of many sides.

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(in Frankfurt am Main) The city lies along the Main River about 19 mi. (30 km) upstream from its confluence with the Rhine River at Mainz. Glinting with glass, steel, and concrete skyscrapers, Frankfurt-on-the-Main is unlike any other German city. The focal point of a conurbation of 5.5 million inhabitants, "Manhattan" is a finance and business hub, home to one of the world’s largest stock exchanges and the gleaming headquarters of the European Central Bank; it also famously hosts some of the world's most important trade fairs.

+ Opposite that sci-fi cityscape is the Museumsufer, a neighborhood of museums. Frankfurt am Main (lit. "Frank Ford on the Main") is the 5th-most populous city in Germany. Located in the foreland of the Taunus (a mountain range in Hesse, Germany) the city is the heart of the larger Rhine-Main metropolitan region, which is the 4th biggest metropolitan region by GDP in the EU. Frankfurt is one of the de facto main capitals of the European Union, (alongside Brussels, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg), as it is home to the European Central Bank, one of the institutional seats of the EU, while Frankfurt's central business district lies about 90 km (56 mi.) northwest of the geographic center of the EU at Gadheim in Lower Franconia. Like France and Franconia, the city is named after the Franks.

+ There is evidence of Celtic and Germanic settlements in the city dating from the 1st century BCE, as well as Roman remains from the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. Yet, the first written mention of Franconofurt stems from Charlemagne’s biographer, Einhard. in the late 8th century. The Pfalz (imperial castle) served as a royal residence of the East Frankish Carolingians from the 9th century through later medieval times. In the 12th century, the Hohenstaufen dynasty erected a new castle in Frankfurt and walled the town. The Hohenstaufen ruler Frederick I (Frederick Barbarossa) was elected king there in 1152, and in 1356 the Holy Roman Empire's constitution designated Frankfurt as the site for electing the German kings. Frankfurt am Main was a free imperial city from 1372 until 1806 when Napoleon I made it the seat of government for the prince primate of the Confederation of the Rhine. In 1810 the city became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt, created by Napoleon. From 1815, when Napoleon fell, Frankfurt was again a free city, where in 1848–49 the Frankfurt National Assembly met. From 1816 to 1866 the city was the seat of the German Bundestag (Federal Diet) and thus the capital of Germany. After the Seven Weeks’ War in 1866, Frankfurt was annexed by Prussia and lost its free-city status. Only after its integration into a united Germany did Frankfurt become a large industrial city. Until WWII, Frankfurt’s Old Town was the largest medieval city still intact in Germany. The Old Town was mostly destroyed by Allied bombing campaigns in 1944, however, and was later rebuilt.

In the port city of Dubrovnik, Croatia on the southern Adriatic coast southwest of Sarajevo

 Dubrovnik is the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and the most iconic destination in Croatia.

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(in Croatia on the southern Adriatic coast southwest of Sarajevo) Medieval history meets breezy Mediterranean vibes in Dubrovnik, where towering stone fortresses rise from the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Walk along the ancient walls that surround Old Town to get a sweeping view of the city dotted with monasteries, palaces, and terracotta rooftops. Or, hit the beach: Most are pebbly and rugged, but if you’re looking for a stretch of sand, hop on a ferry and head to Lopud, a car-free island where you can kick back on Šunj beach, grab a bite in the village, or check out Lopud 1483 -- a restored 15th-century Franciscan monastery.

+ A sense of awe will descend when you see the beauty of Dubrovnik's Old Town, with its ancient city walls, baroque buildings and the shimmer of the Adriatic. The stunning Croatian city of stone and light, Dubrovnik is one of the most picturesque locations in the Balkans. The city is filled with limestone streets, baroque buildings, and big sea-facing walls representing the story of resilience and liberty. No wonder it attracts tourists who experience the rich history preserved in monuments and ancient buildings of the city. Most visited places include main street Stardun, Banje beach, and the iconic Walls of Dubrovnik.

+ The port city of Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century by Romans; it came under Byzantine rule after the fall of Rome. It acknowledged Venetian suzerainty (from 1205–1358) but remained largely independent and became a mercantile power. It was known as a center of Slavic literature and art in the 15th–17th centuries. Subjugated by Napoleon I in 1808, it was passed to Austria in 1815 and to Yugoslavia in 1918. It was bombed by the Serbs (1991–92) during Croatia’s struggle for independence. The old city, enclosed by medieval city walls, contains 14th-century convents and the 15th-century Rector’s Palace.

+ Dubrovnik (derived from dubrava in Croatian, meaning “grove”) occupies a promontory jutting into the sea under the bare limestone mass of Mount Srdj. The port’s sea fortifications rise from the water’s edge, and the massive round tower of the Minc̆eta Fortress dominates the city on the landward side. The Old City of Dubrovnik was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

+ The city walls, mostly a double line, have long been a source of pride for Dubrovnik. The walls were erected by the 16th century and run a course of about 6,365 feet (1,940 meters) in length, encircling most of the old city, and reach a maximum height of about 80 feet (25 meters). Along its course and within the walls lie towers and fortresses, as well as many monuments. Beyond the walls are villas surrounded by gardens The Stradun, or main street, with late-Renaissance houses on each side, runs along a valley that, until 1272, was a marshy channel dividing the Latin island of Ragusa from the forest settlement of Dubrovnik.

In the charming medieval town of Óbidos, in the Oeste region of Portugal

 Óbidos is a charming walled town that was once a gift to a Portuguese queen. Its whitewashed houses and vibrant bougainvillea (flowers) transport visitors to a bygone era.

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(on the western coastal end of Portugal in the Centro region) The Oeste Region is a region of Central Portugal situated north of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It consists of several towns and villages full of natural beauty as well as historical monuments.
+ featured here is Óbidos, which is a treasure trove of history, culture, and art, where you can explore the cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and colorful flowers that adorn the village. You can also visit the impressive castle, which dates back to the 12th century and was once a royal residence. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the local delicacy, ginjinha, a cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups. Óbidos is a magical place that will transport you to a bygone era of romance and adventure. With its rich history and spectacular views from the castle, Óbidos offers a romantic retreat for those who appreciate classic European beauty.

+In the interior of the country, there are mountains and villages of granite and schist. By the sea, fishing villages and cosmopolitan beaches with water sports set the pace of the day. And everywhere centuries-old heritage proudly displays the history of the region. Some of these places are so important for humanity that they have been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage. This is the case of the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, the Convent of Christ in Tomar and Coimbra University.

+ Yet, other unique features are well worth discovering. For example, the historic villages and castles that defended the nation's borders. The Schist Villages and the towns of whitewashed houses, like Óbidos, a treasure within walls. The cities, where modernity is combined with tradition – Coimbra, the university city, Leiria, Aveiro between the Ria and the sea, and Viseu, Guarda, and Castelo Branco, in which the stone architecture retains traces of an immemorial past.

+ When 13th-century Portuguese Queen Isabel passed through Obidos and marveled at its beauty, her husband King Denis I gave it to her. For centuries afterward, the kings of Portugal followed suit, presenting the town to their queens as a wedding gift. With its white buildings shining as brightly now as then, the walled city of Obidos is very popular with tourists, and its hillside location offers amazing views of the Estremadura area. The medieval castle is a main attraction. Surrounded by a classic crenelated wall, Óbidos’ gorgeous historic center is a labyrinth of cobblestoned streets and flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses livened up with dashes of vivid yellow and blue paint. It’s a delightful place to pass an afternoon. Still, there are lots of reasons to stay overnight, as there's excellent accommodation, including a hilltop castle now converted into one of Portugal’s most luxurious pousadas (hotels).

In the city of Graz, capital of the Bundesland Steiermark, in southeastern Austria

 Graz is a vibrant and enchanting city nestled in the heart of Austria:

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(in Austria’s second-largest city) The city of Graz, capital of the Bundesland {federal state) Steiermark, in southeastern Austria,. The country’s second largest city,lies on the Mur River between the Styrian Alps and a wide, fertile basin, the Grazerfeld, about 95 miles (155 km) south-southwest of Vienna. (The name Graz is derived from gradec, a Slavic word meaning “small fortress.”( First mentioned about 1128–29, it received town rights about 1240 and became the center of Steiermark (Styria) during the Middle Ages and the residence of the Leopoldine Habsburgs after 1379. Its fortifications, built in the 15th–16th century, successfully withstood many sieges by the Hungarians and the Turks. Protestantism was established in Graz around 1530 and flourished until oppressive measures by the archduke Karl of Inner Austria (Styria, Carinthia, Carniola) restored the authority of Rome. During the Napoleonic Wars, Graz was held by the French in 1797, 1805, and 1809. A trade center in the 17th and 18th centuries, it developed even more rapidly in the 19th century (through the interest of the archduke Johann) and was constituted a city in 1850.

+ A bevy of universities give the city its lively pace. Baroque palaces are a pleasant contrast with 16th-century courtyards and provocative modern buildings. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, teems with fine architecture, including the Burg castle complex, with its Gothic double staircase, and the graceful Uhrturm (clock tower}. A funicular takes visitors up the dramatic bluff.

+ A beautiful bluff -- connected to the center by steps, a funicular and a glass lift -- is the city's signature attribute. Architecturally, Graz hints at nearby Italy with its Renaissance courtyards and baroque palaces. Yet, there is a youthful energy here too, with a handful of edgily modern buildings, a vibrant arts scene and upbeat, student-fuelled nightlife. This extends to both sides of the Mur River,though the Lend district, across from the historic center, skews young and edgy. Nestled in the southern part of Austria, around an hour’s drive from the Slovenian border, Graz is a beautiful city. Settlements have been present in Graz since the early ages and it has been part of the Hapsburg empire and closely linked with Slovenia. The city has a rich educational history with a prevalent university population and has also been residence to many well-known figures including Nicolai Tesla, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Erwin Schrodinger.

In the city of Alexandria, Virginia, a city on the Potomac River, just south of Washington, DC, USA

 This Historic Town Outside of Washington, D.C. Is One of the Most Charming Places to Visit During the Holidays

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(in the northern region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, USA, Virginia, located south of Washington, D.C. on the opposite side of the Potomac River, is like the capital’s older city, perhaps best known for its Old Town neighborhood, founded in 1749, and is packed with historic Southern charm due to its gas lanterns, cobblestone streets, and old townhouses. A short Metro ride from Washington DC, Alexandria, Virginia is the great escape from the fast-paced capital. First settled in 1695, it city retains its colonial spirit, with cobblestone streets and historic buildings in the Old Town, and centers of learning like the Black History Museum. (For a more contemporary side of Alexandria, wander the streets of the stylish Del Ray neighborhood, where local artists operate boutiques and studios.)

+ Alexandria was founded by Scottish merchants and got its name from John Alexander, the Scotsman who had owned the land that became the city. To honor its heritage, Alexandria celebrates with an annual parade that has many Scottish clans giving bagpipe and drum performances alongside their terriers and hounds.

+ The heart of Old Town is arguably King Street, a pedestrian-only, mile-long avenue packed with independently owned boutiques and restaurants.

+ While Old Town is a must-visit any time of year, it shines the brightest during the holiday season. There is no shortage of things to do in Old Town during the holidays, but one of the most exciting events to attend is the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (taking place this year on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Then, in the evening on Dec. 7, a different kind of parade will take off — a nautical one. At 5:30 p.m., dozens of boats aglow with holiday lights will sail down the Potomac for Old Town’s annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.

+ Just outside of town at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is one of the area’s most popular holiday traditions: Christmas Illuminations. During the event, Mount Vernon becomes a recreation of an 18th-century winter encampment. The event takes place from Dec. 20 - Dec. 22 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. each night, and every evening will end with fireworks.

+ Old Town will end the holiday season with its First Night Alexandria celebration. Beginning at noon on New Year’s Eve and stretching until midnight, the event is a family-friendly, alcohol-free, and budget-conscious extravaganza involving comedy performances, live music, and fireworks. l also be an abbreviated encore firework display at the stroke of midnight.

+ Alexandria, Virginia, located south of Washington, D.C. on the opposite side of the Potomac River, is like the capital’s older, more enchanting sister. It is perhaps best known for its Old Town neighborhood, founded in 1749, and is packed with historic Southern charm thanks to its gas lanterns, cobblestone streets, and 18th-century townhouses.

In the city of Trento, in the Trentino–Alto Adige region of northern Italy

 This cultural meeting point has a distinctive character and stunning lake-and-mountain landscapes.

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(in northern Italy’s mountainous Trentino-Alto Adige region) Trento is known for its architectural and historical gems, including Buonconsiglio Castle and Trento Cathedral. Trento, the capital of Trentino is easy to like. Bicycles glide along spotless streets fanning out from the Piazza del Duomo, students clink spritzes by Renaissance fountains, and a dozen historical eras intermingle seamlessly among stone castles, shady porticoes, and the city's medieval frescoes. Trento does have its share of Austrian influence: apple strudel is ubiquitous, and beer halls not uncommon.

+ In the 16th century Trento, the capital of the autonomous province of Trento, was the location of the Council of Trent. Formerly part of Austria and Austria-Hungary, it was annexed by Italy in 1919. (It is the third largest Italian city in the Alps, and second largest in the historical region of Tyrol.)

+ The city contains a historic Medieval and Renaissance center, with ancient buildings such as Trento Cathedral and the Castello del Buonconsiglio. Together with other Alpine towns Trento engages the Alpine Town of the Year Association for the implementation of the Alpine Convention to achieve sustainable development in the Alpine Arc. The city often ranks highly among Italian cities for quality of life, standard of living, and business and job opportunities, Trento is also one of the nation's wealthiest and most prosperous cities, with its province being one of the richest in Italy.
The University of Trento, founded in 1962, is one of the most prestigious Italian universities, with a strong international vocation.

+The city of Trento, in the Trentino–Alto Adige/Südtirol region of northern Italy, lies along the Adige River, south of Bolzano; it was founded, according to the classical savant Pliny the Elder and the geographer Strabo of Amaseia, by the Raetians, and it became a Roman colony and military base on the road north to the Reschen (Resia) and Brenner (Brennero) passes. Its first bishop, St. Vigilius, converted Trentino and the southern Tirol to Christianity in the late 4th–early 5th century. The seat of a Lombard duchy and later of a Frankish march (borderland), it became a dominion of its prince-bishops in 1027 under Holy Roman imperial patronage and later became famous as the site of the ecumenical Council of Trent (1545–63).

+ Under French control during the Napoleonic Wars, it passed to Austria in 1814. Trento became part of Italy in 1918.

+ Notable Renaissance buildings include numerous mansions, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (1520), and the Castello del Buon Consiglio. The latter, dating from the 13th century, served as the seat of the prince-bishops from the 15th century; in 1528–36 a palace and splendid Renaissance courtyard were added to the castle, which is now a national museum.

In the city of Erfurt, in the state of Thuringia, Germany

 Erfurt is a medieval gem in the heart of Germany, where Martin Luther, Napoleon, and Goethe left their marks.

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(in the Thuringian Basin, on the Gera River, 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Berlin) Erfurt is the capital and largest city of the state of Thuringia, It lies in the valley of the River Gera, in the southern part of the Thuringian Basin, north of the Thuringian Forest, and in the middle of a line of the six largest Thuringian cities, stretching from Eisenach in the west to Gera in the east. Erfurt is 100 km (62 mi.) southwest of Leipzig, 250 km (155 mi.) northeast of Frankfurt, 300 km (186 mi.) southwest of Berlin and 400 km (249 mi.) north of Munich.

+ Erfurt's Old Town is one of the best preserved medieval city centers in Germany. The Gera is spanned by the Merchants' Bridge (Krämerbrücke), one of the rare bridges with houses built on it. On the Erfurt Cathedral Hill is the ensemble of Erfurt Cathedral (which houses the world's largest free-swinging medieval bell) and St Severus' Church. Petersberg Citadel is one of the best preserved town fortresses in Central Europe. Erfurt's Old Synagogue is the oldest in Europe, and together with the Erfurt Mikveh, which was only rediscovered in 2007, and the Stony House (Erfurt), forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

+ The city's central location has made it a logistics hub for Germany and central Europe. Erfurt hosts the second-largest trade fair in eastern Germany (after Leipzig).

+ Erfurt was first mentioned in 724 as Erpesfurt, the site of an abbey and a royal residence at a ford on the Gera River. Boniface founded a bishopric there in 742. By 805 it was a military strong point and an administrative and commercial center on the eastern border of the Frankish empire. It was granted municipal rights about 1250 by the archbishop of Mainz and controlled extensive territories in the Middle Ages. Joining the Hanseatic League in the 15th century, it was until about 1600 a great commercial center for woad, a plant then used for its blue dye extract. The University of Erfurt, established in 1392 as Germany’s third university, was one of the centers of learning in the German-speaking world; it was closed in 1816 and reopened in 1994. Occupied by a Swedish garrison during the Thirty Years’ War, the city became part of the electorate of Mainz in 1664. It passed to Prussia in 1802, forming part of Prussian Saxony until 1945 (In 1808 the Congress of Erfurt was attended by Napoleon, Tsar Alexander I of Russia, and the kings of Bavaria, Saxony, Westphalia, and Württemberg.)

+ Erfurt is now a center of high technology in eastern Germany. Erfurt is dominated by the cathedral and the Church of St. Severus, which stand side-by-side atop a hill called Domberg (“Cathedral Hill”). Another building of note is the Augustinian monastery where Martin Luther was a monk.
Erfurt, one of central Germany's most important cities is a medieval city of grand churches, market squares, museums, and preserved architecture.

In the autonomous province of Vojvodina, in the northernmost part of Serbia

 Modern Vojvodina is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, with some 26 ethnic groups.

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(in the northernmost part of AP Serbia) Vojvodina, officially the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, occupies the northernmost part of Serbia. It lies within the Pannonian Basin, bordered to the south by the national capital, Belgrade, and the Sava and Danube Rivers. (The administrative center, Novi Sad [shown here] is the second-largest city in Serbia.) Vojvodina is bordered by Croatia to the west, Hungary to the north, and Romania to the east. The border with Serbia proper to the south generally follows the Sava River west of Belgrade and is formed by the Danube.

+ Vojvodina is is mostly a plain landscape intersected by the Danube, Tisa and Sava rivers, plus a network of canals, roads and railways, connecting the Central and Western Europe with the Balkans and Middle East.

+ In 1918 Vojvodina was part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. An area of eastern Srem (the Fruška Gora [hills]) was attached to Vojvodina in 1931. In 1945, Vojvodina was part of the socialist Yugoslav federation as an autonomous province of the Serbian republic. Serbia reasserted direct control over it in 1989. It remained a province in the new Yugoslav republic established in 1992.

+ The ethnic makeup of Vojvodina was altered considerably by the warfare in the Balkan region that followed the breakup of the Yugoslav federation. An increasingly hostile atmosphere of Serbian nationalism prompted many from the province’s ethnic minorities to leave for neighboring countries, reducing in particular the important Hungarian community. They were replaced by ethnic Serbs who came as refugees from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Serbian province of Kosovo. In 1999 Vojvodina became the target of many attacks during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s massive aerial bombing campaign of Yugoslavia, because the province was the location of many of the country’s petroleum storage and refining facilities. Bridges over the Sava and Danube were specially targeted. (The bombing destroyed much of the province’s infrastructure and communications.)

+ Nominal autonomous status was restored to Vojvodina in 2002. In 2003 Yugoslavia’s name was changed to Serbia and Montenegro, and in 2006 the two constituent republics separated. Vojvodina remained within Serbia’s borders. Though the province maintained its nominal autonomy, some local groups continued to call for a more extensive form of self-rule.

+ Vojvodina is also home to the oldest national park called the Fruška Gora, situated on the slopes of the hills bearing the same name. Seventeen monasteries have been built throughout the centuries, across the Fruška Gora.

In the city of Faro, capital of the Algarve region in southern Portugal

 The Algarve is located in the southernmost area of continental Portugal and the southwesternmost area of the Iberian Peninsula and mainland Europe

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(in the southernmost city of Portugal) Faro, a city and municipality, lies on the Atlantic Ocean coast near Cape Santa Maria. Faro is the capital of the district of the same name, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.

+ The biggest city and second most populous municipality in the Algarve (after Loulé), Faro, is one of the biggest in Southern Portugal). The municipalities of Faro-Olhão-Loulé due to its adjacency, sharing of infrastructures, and regular commutes, can be considered an intermunicipal community.
+ The surrounding region is coextensive with the historical province of Algarve. It is popular with tourists because of its mild climate, fine beaches, and Moorish-looking towns. (Henry the Navigator chose Algarve as a base for his expeditions in the 15th century, which sailed from ports near Faro city.)

+ Held by the Moors from early in the 8th century until 1249, when it was recaptured by Afonso III, the city was the last Moorish stronghold in Portugal. It was sacked by the English in 1596 and was almost totally destroyed in the earthquakes of 1722 and 1755. Notable remaining buildings include the Renaissance cathedral (restored in the 18th century); the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Anunciação (1513) is in ruins. The former bishop’s palace library was pillaged by Robert Devereux, 2nd earl of Essex, in 1596 and formed the nucleus of the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

+ Faro (shown here) is the best-known city in Portugal’s famous Algarve region. There is an archaeological museum and a “Bishops’ Palace,” a Renaissance cathedral that was heavily bombed during World War II, but later rebuilt. Nearby in Estoi are Roman ruins, and Albufeira, also nearby, is a formerly quaint fishing village influenced by the Moors in the 8th century. It has become famous for its beachesand nightlife.

+ The Algarve’s capital has a more distinctly Portuguese feel than most resort towns. It has an attractive marina, well-maintained parks and plazas, and a picturesque cidade velha (old town) ringed by medieval walls. The old town's winding, cobbled pedestrian streets, squares and buildings were reconstructed in a melange of styles following successive batterings – first by marauding British and then by two big earthquakes – and are home to museums, churches, a bone chapel and al fresco cafes.

+ Agriculture is the primary economic activity, and Faro exports fish, wine, sumac (for tanning), and fruit. The publishing industry dates from 1489, when Jewish printers were operating presses in Lisbon and Faro for the country’s earliest incunabula in Hebrew. Eucalyptus trees, originally imported from Australia, are an important source of pulp for the paper industry. During the 1970s the Portuguese government designated a reserve near Faro to conserve both the environment and the traditional architecture.

In the island of Zealand, the largest and most populous island of Denmark

 Denmark’s largest island offers much more than the dazzle of Copenhagen. North of the city lie some of the country’s finest beaches, and impressive castles.

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(in the largest and most populous island in Denmark proper) Zealand (thus excluding Greenland and Disko Island, which are larger in size). Zealand had a population of 2,319,705 on 1 January 2020, comprising 40% of its population.

+ Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, with a population between 1.3 and 1.4 million people in 2020, is located mostly on the eastern shore of Zealand and partly on the island of Amager.
+ Here you will find dazzlingly ornate Frederiksborg Slot in Hillerød and the hulking Kronborg Slot (shown here) at Helsingør, Shakespeare's Elsinore. Helsingør also features the excellent Maritime Museum of Denmark. En route don't miss Louisiana, the superb modern/contemporary art gallery, (not the US state).

+ Zealand is the 13th-largest island in Europe by area and the 4th most populous. It is connected to Sprogø and Funen by the Great Belt Fixed Link and to Amager by several bridges in Copenhagen. Indirectly, through the island of Amager and the Øresund Bridge, it is also linked to Scania in Sweden. In the south, the Storstrøm Bridge and the Farø Bridges connect it to Falster, and beyond that island to Lolland, from where the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel to Germany is planned.

+ Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, with a population between 1.3 and 1.4 million people in 2020, is located mostly on the eastern shore of Zealand and partly on the island of Amager. Other cities on Zealand include Roskilde, Hillerød, Næstved, Helsingør, Slagelse, Køge, Holbæk, and Kalundborg.
Administratively, Zealand is divided between two Danish regions: The Copenhagen metropolitan area and North Zealand belong to the Capital Region, while the major and more rural part of the island belongs to the Zealand Region.

+ Zealand’s basal rock platform is exposed in the chalk and limestone cliffs at Stevns Klint-- which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. Its irregular coastline is broken by Ise Fjord and Roskilde Fjord. The northern part of the island is well wooded and lake-strewn, with fine resort beaches on the coast. This area was once a royal hunting ground, and many fine castles survive. Fertile clay loams support agriculture (grains), dairy farming, and cattle breeding, especially in the south. Fishing and tourism are also economically important. There are many Stone Age and Viking relics, particularly the Viking fortress of Trælleborg (ca. 1000 CE), as well as medieval churches, castles, and manor houses. Besides Copenhagen and its suburbs, urban settlements include Roskilde, Helsingør (Elsinore), Næstved, Korsør, Slagelse, Sorø, Holbæk, Ringsted, Vordingborg, Køge, Kalundborg, and Hillerød. In the late 1990s, Zealand became connected to Funen by the Great Belt Fixed Link, a bridge and tunnel system, and in 2000 the Øresund Link opened, connecting Copenhagen and Malmö, Sweden.

In the port city of Liverpool, northwestern England

 It's hard not to be infected by a Liverpudlian's love for their own city. For decades this was a hardscrabble town beset by all manner of social ills, but still the love endured, finding its expression in a renowned gallows wit and an obsession with football.

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(in northwestern England) The port city of Liverpool forms the nucleus of the metropolitan county of Merseyside in the county of Lancashire. The city proper, a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, forms a crescent along the north shore of the Mersey estuary a few miles from the Irish Sea.
+ The first significant date in the history of Liverpool is 1207, when King John of England granted a charter for a planned new town. The town’s medieval growth was slow, but in the 18th century it became the second most important port in Britain.

+ The first dock in Liverpool was built in 1715. By the end of the century, four other docks had been established along the Mersey, so that the port outranked London in dock space. In 1830 the Liverpool and Manchester Railwaywas opened. A rail network providing access to all major British industrial centers was soon created, and steam ferry links between Liverpool and the Wirral, across the Mersey estuary, were established. This growth was accompanied by high levels of immigration from surrounding areas and from Ireland, especially during and after the Irish Potato Famine (of1845–49).

+ By the beginning of the 20th century, Liverpool had become the center of docks extending along the Mersey from Hornby in the north to Herculaneum in the south. Though more improvements were made to the docks,after WWII Liverpool declined as a port.
Yet, Liverpool continues to exert dominance over the surrounding metropolitan region. The port, besides cargo, has developed as a facility for containerized shipping, and in 2012 it became a terminus for cruise ships.

+ Paramount among Liverpool’s contributions to 20th-century popular culture were the Beatles, who emerged from the Cavern (a nightclub that was part of the city’s musical scene in the 1960s) to become the world’s best-known rock group. Local “performance” poets such as Roger McGough, Adrian Henri, and Brian Patten helped popularize poetry in the 1960s. And from the heyday of the music hall to the radio comedy of Tommy Handley in the 1940s, Liverpudlians contributed to the British comedy tradition. Tourism has grown a lot in importance, including more interest in visiting locations associated with the Beatles.

+ Architectural landmarks include the 18th-century Town Hall and the 19th-century St. George’s Hall; the Neo-Gothic Anglican cathedral, founded in 1904 and completed in 1978; and the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral, of strikingly modern design. Tate Liverpool (a branch of the national Tate galleries), Merseyside County Museum and Library, the Walker Art Gallery, the Picton Library, and the University of Liverpool are among many cultural institutions. Liverpool also has a well-known symphony orchestra.