In port ans resort town of Hvar, on the Croatian island of Hvar

 As the island retreat of choice for European jetsetters and celebrities alike, it is easy to see why Hvar grabs headlines. Sun-soaked beaches, lavender-scented hinterlands, and cobbled medieval towns provide a welcome change of pace from the seemingly endless choice of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

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(on Hvar, the Croatian island that is famed for the lovely Venetian-era Hvar Town. On summer evenings, yachts moor here, and sun-tanned visitors step ashore to indulge in the razzmatazz of trendy fish restaurants and bars. Yet, there is another Hvar –- a place of ancient traditions and the Mediterranean art of wine-making. It is the reason why this archipelago in the Adriatic remains popular with tourists. It all begins in Stari Grad, the island’s oldest settlement, founded by the Greeks in the 4th century BCE. Old stone houses sit deep inside a long sheltered bay, and behind it, the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain extends some four miles, almost to neighboring Jelsa. (This flat expanse of fertile red soil, rich in minerals, is difficult to decipher at first glance.) To understand it better, visit Hora Hvar, a family-run agrotourism farm, and they will explain everything.

+ Some 2,400 years ago, the ancient Greeks divided the land into 73 plots for 73 families, clearing away ground to build dry stone walls, that define the boundaries. They cultivated vines and olive trees, just as locals do today, and the same parcel divisions remain, albeit dotted with cypresses and fig trees, fragrant wild fennel, and several tiny stone chapels. It is remarkable that over two millennia, generation after generation have preserved a connection with their land. At Hora Hvar, you can taste their olive oil with platters of cheese and salami, as well as their Bogdanuša white wine. The name of this ancient grape variety, indigenous to Hvar, means “given by God,” and historically it was consumed only during religious festivals. Visitors to Hora Hvar can still taste olive oil made on-site along with platters of cheese and salami.When Hvar was under Venetian Rule (from 1420-1797), wine-making was the main source of income.

+ The island is best known for Venetian-era Hvar Town. Inland from Jelsa, tiny hillside Pitve is a cluster of old stone cottages draped in jasmine and lots of bougainvillea, nestled in a lush Arcadian landscape. Here the beautifully-designed award-winning Pitve Viticulture Museum opened in 2023, in the former village school. Exhibits include 19th-century wine-making equipment, old black-and-white photos of locals in their vineyards, and digitals displays, while big windows afford dreamy views over the surrounding rural landscape. The ground-floor bar hosts wine-tasting, and winter events for locals such as Cinema with Wine.

+ For centuries, villagers from Hvar’s north side have also had fields on the south side, with vineyards on the steep rocky seaward slopes producing powerful reds, while vineyards on the flat, cooler northside make whites.

In the city of Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina

 Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is famous for its iconic bridge, Stari Most.

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(at the bridge, destroyed during the war in the 1990s but rebuilt with the help of UNESCO and reopened in 2004.) It is a symbol of the city's resilience and multicultural heritage, as well as a popular spot for daring divers who plunge into the water from its high arch.) Mostar is the largest city in Hercegovina, with an enchanting Old Town center. The city is built around either side of the cold and capricious Neretva River. Alhough only 200 feet above sea level, Mostar is flanked by the Dinaric Alps, with the dramatic mass of Velež Mountain dominating the skyline to the east, and the short but sheer Hum Hill, topped with a white, 100-foot-high cross, capturing one's gaze to the west.  Many visitors also choose to make day or weekend trips to/from popular cities on Croatia's Adriatic Coast, namely: Split (166 kilometers/103 miles to the northwest) and Dubrovnik (148 kilometers/92 miles to the south).

+ Mostar was founded as an Ottoman Empire frontier town in 1452. Roman remains have been unearthed beneath the town. Mostar, as we know it, began to take shape during the Ottoman era of the 15th and 16th centuries. The wooden structure that connected the town's hemispheres evolved into Stari Most (The Old Bridge)

+ For centuries, Mostar was a beacon of diversity and a commendable example of how different cultures and religions can coexist in the same space. This was evident (and, to an extent, still is) in the structures throughout the historic center. Architecture here presented a symbol of tolerance: a shared life of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Mosques, churches, and synagogues existed side-by-side indicating that in this region, the Roman Catholic Croats with their Western European culture, the Eastern Orthodox Serbs with their elements of Byzantine culture, and the Sephardic Jews continued to live together with the Bosniaks-Muslims for more than four centuries. '

+ From 1878 to 1918, Mostar fell under Austro-Hungarian rule. Post World War I, the city became part of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, before transitioning into Yugoslavia in 1929. Such was the state of things until Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992. This led to Mostar being attacked by the Yugoslav People's Army. During the Bosnian War, the Croat-Bosniak War also escalated. On November 9th, 1993," the Croatian Defence Council destroyed Stari Most. The Croat-Bosniak dispute was resolved in 1994 with the signing of the Washington Agreement, and the Bosnian War concluded the following year with the Dayton Agreement.

+ After peace was declared, reconstruction began on Stari Most. The Old Bridge was reopened in July 2004, and was declared a World Heritage Site + In the wake of the Bosnian War of the early 1990s, Mostar's cultural spectrum condensed though disparate groups have once again established stable and amicable footing.

In the capital of the Republic of San Marino, is a mountainous microstate surrounded by north-central Italy

 San Marino is one of the world's smallest countries.

(just one-tenth the size of New York City in the USA).
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(in the capital of the Republic of San Marino located near the center of the country and set high on the western slopes of Mount Titano. (As recently as 2008, the mountain and the historic center of the city were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.) One of the smallest independent states in Europe, San Marino is also the world’s second smallest republic after the Republic of Nauru (an island country and microstate in Micronesia). A landlocked country roughly rectangular in shape, San Marino is located on the eastern slope of the Apennine mountain system in central Italy. Its landscape is dominated by the huge, central limestone mass of Mount Titano.

+ Of Earth's 196 independent countries, San Marino is the fifth smallest. A sole survivor of Italy's once powerful city-state network, this micronation clung on after the powerful kingdoms of Genoa and Venice folded. It still endures, secure in its status as the world's oldest surviving sovereign state and its oldest republic (since 301 CE).

+ According to tradition, the country of San Marino was founded in the early 4th century CE by St. Marinus, an early Christian who fled the nearby city of Rimini to escape religious persecution. Soon after his arrival, the city of San Marino was established. The city’s defenses made it a prominent fixture in the struggle between Guelf and Ghibelline (papal and imperial, respectively) factions during the Middle Ages. The Sammarinese were allied with the Montefeltro family, which were prominent supporters of the Ghibelline cause, against the Malatesta family, the Guelf ruling house of Rimini. Shown here is the Church of San Francesco (now a museum) that was built during the period of this rivalry and remains one of the city’s most significant sites. Though the influence of the Montefeltros was extinguished in the early 16th century, San Marino retained its status as an independent city-state. Over subsequent centuries the city weathered the ambitions of the Borgias, the imperial dreams of Napoleon, and an occupation by the German army during World War II.

+ The Palazzo Pubblico, the seat of the country’s government, was built in the late 19th century. The city's main economic activity is tourism. The State Museum of San Marino, founded in the late 19th century, hosts a collection of fine art and antiquities, and the national library is home to an extensive collection of modern books and periodicals. The University of the Republic of San Marino was established in the city in 1985.

+ Today, the country’s major resources are its industry, tourism, commerce, agriculture, and handicrafts. (Postage stamps are San Marino’s major source of revenue.) Wine made from local grapes, wood machinery, chemicals, and ceramics are main exports. Major crops are wheat, corn, barley, and grapes. Dairying and livestock raising also contribute to its economy.

In the city of Pompeii, the preserved ancient Roman city in Campania, Italy

 The town of Pompeii, in Italy is legendary for having been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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(in a preserved ancient Roman city in Campania, Italy, located southeast of Naples at the base of Mount Vesuvius.) Pompeii, the preserved ancient Roman city in Campania, Italy, 14 miles (23 km) southeast of Naples, at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius. Around noon on August 24, 79 CE, a huge eruption from Mount Vesuvius showered volcanic debris over the city of Pompeii, followed the next day by clouds of blisteringly hot gases. Lots of buildings were destroyed, the population was crushed or asphyxiated, and the city was buried beneath a blanket of ash and pumice. For many centuries Pompeii slept beneath its pall of ash, which perfectly preserved the remains. When these were finally unearthed, in the 1700s, the world was astonished at the discovery of a sophisticated Greco-Roman city frozen in time.

+ Pompeii was built on a spur formed by a prehistoric lava flow to the north of the mouth of the Sarnus (modern Sarno) river. Herculaneum, Stabiae, Torre Annunziata, and other communities were destroyed along with Pompeii. Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata, which were were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Pompeii supported between 10,000 and 20,000 inhabitants at the time of its destruction. The modern town (comune) of Pompei (pop. [2011] 25,440) lies to the east (and contains the Basilica of Santa Maria del Rosario, a pilgrimage center.)

Archaeological evidence indicates that the Oscan village of Pompeii soon came under the influence of the cultured Greeks who had settled across the bay in the 8th century BCE. Greek influence was challenged when Etruscans came into Campania in the 7th century. The Etruscans’ influence remained strong until their sea power was destroyed by King Hieron I of Syracuse in a naval battle off Cumae in 474 BCE. A second period of Greek hegemony followed. Then, toward the end of the 5th century, the warlike Samnites, an Italic tribe, conquered Campania, and Pompeii. (Stabiae and Herculaneum, became Samnite towns.) Pompeii is first mentioned in history in 310 BCE, when, during the Second Samnite War, a Roman fleet landed at the Sarnus port of Pompeii and from there made an unsuccessful attack on the neighboring city of Nuceria. At the end of the Samnite wars, Campania became a part of the Roman confederation, and the cities became “allies” of Rome. But they were not completely subjugated and Romanized until the time of the Social War. (Pompeii joined the Italians in their revolt against Rome in this war and was besieged by the Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 89 BCE.) After the war, Pompeii,received Roman citizenship. However, as a punishment for Pompeii’s part in the war, a colony of Roman veterans was established there under Publius Sulla, the nephew of the Roman general. Latin replaced Oscan as the language, and the city were Romanized in culture, institutions, and architecture.

In the town of Pirmasens, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, near the border with France

 Once Upon A Time There Was A Wealthy Town, one that I visited many times In the 1970s:

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(in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) The town of Pirmasens is the center of the southernmost part of Rheinland-Pfalz along the French border. Like Rome it was built on seven hills. The surrounding region is quite rural, so this town feels like a metropolis. The nearest real cities would be Kaiserslautern and Saarbrücken, but getting there takes 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the route and means of transport. So Pirmasens plays its role as a regional metropolis, though on a low level. Until 1736 Pirmasens was part of the County of Hanau-Lichtenberg and still hardly more than a village. But after the death of the last Count of Hanau, the territory became the property of Prince Ludwig IX of Hessen-Darmstadt, who chose it as his residence. While his father ruled in Darmstadt, the prince took the chance to implement his dream in his own property: build up an army. Ludwig was a soldier through-and-through who turned Pirmasens into an army base. Like the Prussian kings,he recruited very tall guys. Pirmasens grew into a garrison town in a short time. The present main square is the former parade ground. The flourishing of the town ended when Ludwig died in 1790.

+ The largest sqare in the city center is the former parade ground. (Prince Ludwig IX. had it installed to exercise his troops.) In the 1870s a school building was erected on the western side of the square, which was later turned into the new Town Hall The square has since been redesigned; a row of modern colonnades surrounds it. Outside the colonnades trees have been planted to add a bit of green. The church in the corner of Exerzierplatz was built from 1750 to 1758 as the parish church of the Reformed, i.e. Calvinist, community. The County of Hanau-Lichtenberg was a Lutheran land, where the Calvinist confession was not tolerated. Only here in Pirmasens they managed to obtain freedom of faith, their own parson and church due to the fact that many soldiers came from other territories and the number of Calvinists among them was large. The church’s name refers to Johannes (Jean) Calvin the reformer. At first it was known as the Reformed Church until it received its present name in 1931. In World War II the church suffered severe damage. The facades and steeple were rebuilt in their original shape. The Lutheran parish church substituted the old parish church which became too small. In WWII it was damaged, but was rebuilt. It is on Hauptstraße, in Pirmasens’s main shopping area. The building attached to the steeple of Lutherkirche was built around 1760 together with the church and served as a school building for children from soldiers' families. In the old residence and capital of the county, Buchsweiler in Alsace, Landgrave Ludwig IX was not allowed to have soldiers display his ownership of the land. In Pirmasens, he could do as he liked. The church was destroyed by WWII bombs, but was later rebuilt.

In Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera

 "If there is anything so romantic as that castle-palace-fortress of Monaco I have not seen it." -- M. E. W. Sherwood, an American author and socialite.

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(in Monaco, the sovereign principality located along the Mediterranean Sea in the midst of the resort area of the Côte d’Azur [French Riviera]). The small city-state overlooking the Mediterranean, is famed for its glamour and wealth. The Palais Princier (shown here), the former home of Princess Grace and current home of her son, Prince Albert II, is at the top of the cliff-bound medieval Monaco-Ville. Also well known is Monte Carlo, home to the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, the European Poker Tour, and the Monte Carlo Rally.

+ Squeezed into just 200 hectares, what it lacks in size it makes up for in attitude. It is also home to the annual Formula One Grand Prix. The city of Nice, France, lies 9 miles (15 km) to the west; the Italian border 5 miles (8 km) to the east. Monaco’s territory occupies a set of clustered hills and a headland that looks southward over the Mediterranean. Many features, however, have made Monaco among the most luxurious tourist resorts in the world, and have given it a fame far exceeding its size.

+ Many visitors to Monaco alternate their hours between its beaches and boating facilities, its international sports-car races, and its world-famous Place du Casino,

+ The Rock of Monaco overlooks both the port and the Mediterranean. The Prince's Palace (depicted here) is on the Rock in the foreground. Monaco's history predates the Roman occupation of 22CE. Its large natural harbor ensured a steady stream of visitors from Byblos, Tyre, and Sidon. It was the Phoenicians who introduced to this area of the Mediterranean their god Melkart, later known by the Romans as Hercules Monoikos. It was after this god that the Romans renamed the area Portus Hercules Moneici, which has evolved to the present name of Monaco. The seat of the Prince of Monaco was established on the Rocher de Monaco as a fortress in 1191 when the harbor was acquired by the Republic of Genoa.The harbor and its immediate area were given to the Genoese by the Emperor Henry IV. In 1215 work began on a new fortress, comprising four towers connected by ramparts protected by a curtain wall. This forms the core of the present palace.

+ Monaco’s chief industry is tourism, and its facilities make it one of Europe’s most luxurious resorts. Once a winter attraction, it now draws summer visitors as well, to its beaches and expanded mooring facilities. The Place du Casino. was built in 1861, and in 1967 its operations were taken over by the principality. The four sections, or quartiers, of Monaco are the town of Monaco, or “the Rock,” the headland jutting into the sea on which the Old Town is located; La Condamine, the business district on the west of the bay, with its natural harbor; Monte-Carlo, including the gambling casino; and the newer zone of Fontvieille, in which various light industries have developed.

In the city of Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium

 Brussels is multicultural to its roots.

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(in Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium that comprises 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium. The Brussels-Capital Region is located in the central portion of the country and is a part of both the French Community of Belgium and the Flemish Community, but is separate from the Flemish Region (Flanders), within which it forms an enclave, and the Walloon Region (Wallonia), located less than four kilometers (2.5 mi.) to the south. Since the end of WWII, it has been a center for international politics and home to many international organisations, politicians, diplomats, and civil servants. As the de facto capital of the European Union, it hosts several EU institutions, including its administrative-legislative, executive-political, and legislative branches. (though the judicial branch is in Luxembourg, and the European Parliament meets for a part of the year in Strasbourg, France.). The secretariat of the Benelux and the headquarters of NATO are also located in Brussels.

+ The Brussels Region is also part of a big conurbation extending towards the cities of Ghent, Antwerp, and Leuven, known as the Flemish Diamond, as well as the province of Walloon Brabant, in total home to over five million people. As Belgium's economic capital and a top financial center in Western Europe, Brussels is classified as an Alpha global city. It's also an international hub for rail, road and air traffic, and is also considered, together with Belgium, as Europe's geographic, economic. and cultural crossroads.The Brussels Metro is the only rapid transit system in Belgium. In addition, both its airport and railway stations are the largest and busiest in the country.

+ Historically Dutch-speaking, Brussels saw a language shift to French from the late 19th century. Since its creation in 1989, the Brussels-Capital Region has been officially bilingual in French and Dutch, although French is the majority language and lingua franca. Brussels is also known for its cuisine and gastronomic offer (including its waffle, its chocolate, its French fries, and its many types of beer, as well as its architectural landmarks; some of which are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Main attractions include its historic Grand-Place/Grote Markt (main square), the Atomium, and cultural institutions such as La Monnaie/De Munt and the Museums of Art and History.

+ Unassuming Brussels is indeed grand, with many 17th-century buildings and daily flower markets. Reopened in 2006, the Atomium, Brussels' Eiffel Tower, provides great views, inside and out. Architecture fans should visit Musee Horta, home of Belgian master architect Victor Horta. St. Gery's clubs and bars are packed year-round. Seafood eateries abound in Ste. Catherine. The architecture of the Grand Palace (depicted here) and other UNESCO World Heritage sites, will no doubt complement your culinary adventure.

At the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, City of Barcelona, Spain

 On his visit to the city in 1862, Hans Christian Andersen remarked that Barcelona was the “Paris of Spain."

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(in the seaport city of ”Barcelona, the capital of Barcelona province, and of the Catalonia autonomous community in northeastern Spain, is located 90 miles (150 km) south of the French border. Since the late 1970s, cultural life has been revitalized here, This combines with the setting of Barcelona, in between the rugged mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout its past, the city was much fortified and did not spread far beyond its medieval confines until the 19th century, which contributed to the emergence of suburbs and towns around the city proper. Though Barcelona is windy at times, its protective mountains shield it from the winds that blow out of the north and west. At the core of the city lies the Gothic Quarter. Located between the Ramblas, a series of connected boulevards, going southeastward to the sea, and the Via Laietana, it is a packed maze of narrow streets. The cathedral, episcopal palace, and churches bear witness to Barcelona’s importance as a religious center. The government buildings, like the Palace of the Generalitat (seat of the community of Catalonia), and the Royal Palace, reflect the city’s importance as an administrative capital. The defenses that played a part in the battle for Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14) were augmented by the builjing of a citadel after the city was taken. By the mid-19th century, the city was bursting at the seams. Plans were devised to extend the city. The area into which the town expanded, now called the Extension, left a clear field of fire from the city walls. Yet, open areas were exploited, causing the density of buildings to triple. The city expanded following the annexation of the old municipalities surrounding Barcelona. Urban sprawl and uncontrolled development during the Francisco Franco era added to the congestion. (The 1992 Olympic Games allowed for some renovation of poorly planned areas.)

+ When it comes to history, art, and architecture in Bareceloia, there is Gaudí’s iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, the Picasso Museum, and the Gothic Quarter. On one side you’ve got three miles of sandy beaches, and on the other, the Serra de Collserola mountains, home to Parc de Collserola,one of the biggest city parks in the world. It’s probably why bike culture’s big here: Over 180 miles of bike lanes make it easy to get around the Catalan capital. For the visitor, the main attraction still tends to be in the city center. The promenade is separated from L’Eixample by the monumental Catalunya Square, and it leads down to the port and the Portal de la Pau Square, where the Christopher Columbus monument stands in commemoration of the discovery of America and the explorer’s announcement of it in Barcelona.

+ The constructin of Antoni Gaudí's famed Sagrada Família (depicted here), was begun in the year 882.

In the city of Luxembourg, one of world's smallest countries, bordered by Belgium, France and Germany.

 Majestically set across the gorges of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, Luxembourg City is one of Europe's most scenic capitals.

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Luxembourg , one of the world’s smallest countries, is bordered by Belgium on the west and north, France on the south, and Germany on the northeast and east. Luxembourg has been a separate political unit since the 10th century. The name of its capital city, Lucilinburhuc (“Little Fortress”), symbolized its position as “the Gibraltar of the north,” astride a military route linking Germanic and Frankish territories. Luxembourg has three languages: Luxembourgish, German, and French. In the 20th century Luxembourg became a founding member of international economic organizations. The grand duchy was a member of the Benelux Economic Union (in 1944), which linked its economic life with that of the Netherlands and of Belgium -- and would form the core of the European Economic Community (EE, which was succeeded by the European Union).The northern third of Luxembourg, known as the Oesling, comprises a corner of the Ardennes Mountains, which lie mainly in southern Belgium. It is a plateau that averages 1,500 feet (450 meters) in elevation and is composed of schists and sandstones.

This highland region is incised by valleys of a river network around the Sûre (or Sauer) River thatruns eastward through north-central Luxembourg before joining the Moselle River on the border with Germany. The Oesling’s forested hills and valleys support the ruins of many castles, which are an attraction for the region’s tourists. The southern two-thirds of Luxembourg is known as the Bon Pays, or Gutland (French and German: “Good Land”). This region has quite a varied topography and an average elevation of 800 feet (about 245 meters). The Bon Pays is more densely populated than the Oesling and encompasses the capital city of Luxembourg, as well as smaller industrial cities like Esch-sur-Alzette. In the center of the Bon Pays, the valley of the Alzette River forms an axis around the country’s economic life is organized. Its eastern border with Germany is formed from north to south by the Sûre, and Moselle rivers. The slopes of the Moselle River valley are covered with vineyards and receive a good amount of sunshine that has earned the area the name “Little Riviera.” Sûre valleys also support pasturelands. Luxembourg has been one of the historic crossroads of Europe, and myriad peoples have left their bloodlines on the grand duchy.

+ During the Roman period, two main roads crossed the territory of the city of Luxembourg; the roads met at the place Marché-aux-Poissonsa. A castle was built here called Lucilinburhuc ("small castle");this place became a property of Siegfried I, a relative of the Emperors of Germany and Kings of France. This place is the birthplace of the city, and the country,

In the ski resort town of Gstaad, Canton of Bern in southwestern Switzerland

 The Sound of Music actress Julie Andrews once referred to Gstaad as “the last paradise in a crazy world.” She would know -– after spending decades enjoying a chalet in the region, she was awarded honorary citizenship of Saanen, the municipality to which Gstaad belongs.

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(in Gstaad, a town in the German-speaking section of the Canton of Bern in southwestern Switzerland.) It is part of the municipality of Saanen and is known as a major ski resort and a popular destination among high society and the international jet set. The winter campus of the Institut Le Rosey is located in Gstaad, which has a population of about 9,200 and is located 1,050 meters (3,445 feet) above sea level. Fresh mountain air, snow-covered Alps. luxurious meals after a long day of skiing; these are but a few of the things the resort town of Gstaad is known for. Yet this cozy mountain getaway isn’t just for visitors seeking a luxurious winter-ski adventure. Home to more than 7,000 cows and 9,000 people, Gstaad has a lot more going for it than meets the eye -- it is easily accessible by train all year round.

+ During the Middle Ages, Gstaad was part of the district of Saanen (Gessenay) belonging to the Savoyard county of Gruyère. The town core developed at the fork in the trails into the Valais and Vaud. It had an inn, a warehouse for storing trade goods and oxen to help pull wagons over the alpine passes by the 13th-14th centuries. The St. Nicholas chapel was built in the town in 1402, while the murals are from the second half of the 15th century. The town was dominated by cattle farming and agriculture until the great fire of 1898. It was then rebuilt to support the growing tourism industry. The construction of the Montreux–Lenk im Simmental line in 1905 and the construction of ski runs (the Ski Club of Saanen opened in 1905, followed in 1907 by the Ski Club of Gstaad). The first ski school in Gstaad opened in 1923. The Eagle Ski Club opened in 1957, and was funded by Charles Greville, the 7th Earl of Warwick. In a short time there were more than 1,000 hotel beds in the region.

+ The residents, hoteliers, shopkeepers, and tourist offices helped to promote Gstaad to international attention. They supported the construction of ice rinks, tennis courts, swimming pools, ski jumps, and ski and hiking areas. The first ski lifts at Funi opened in 1934-44 and were followed by a number of gondolas, ski, and chair lifts. The Gstaad Palace (shown here) opened in 1913 as Gstaad's first luxury hotel. In 1942 the Saanen-Gstaad airfield was opened for military and civil aviation. Helicopter rides were added later and in 1980 balloon flights became available too.

The Gstaad Polo Club was founded in 1992, and the Gstaad Yacht Club in 1998. During the two World Wars and the Great Depression, the tourism industry suffered and many hotels closed. After World War II, many of the large hotels were replaced with many smaller non-hotel accommodation (chalets, apartment houses, and residences).

In the city of Berlin, the capital and largest city of Germany

 Berlin is by far the largest city in Germany.

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(in Berlin, the capital and chief urban center of Germany.) The city lies at the heart of the North German Plain, athwart an east-west commercial and geographic axis that helped make it the capital of the kingdom of Prussia and then, from 1871, of a unified Germany. Berlin’s former glory ended in 1945. The Berlin Wall is a reminder of the city’s history, but the graffiti art that now covers it has become symbolic of social progress. Science lovers should not miss the Weltzeituhr (world time) Clock, topped by a model of the solar system, and history buffs will want to snag a seat at the historic Zur Letzten Instanz, a 16th-century restaurant that was frequented by Napoleon and Beethoven.

+ Germany’s division after WWII put Berlin entirely within the territory of the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany). The city itself echoed the national partition, East Berlin being the capital of East Germany, and West Berlin a Land (state) of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG, or West Germany). West Berlin’s isolation was later reinforced by the concrete barrier erected in 1961, known as the Berlin Wall. Its status as an enclave made Berlin a continuous focus of confrontation between the Eastern and Western powers as well as a symbol of Western lifestyle for 45 years. The fall of the East German communist regime (and the accompanying opening of the wall, in late 1989, unexpectedly raised the prospect for Berlin’s reinstatement as the all-German capital. That status was restored in 1990 under the terms of the unification treaty, and subsequently Berlin was designated a state, one of the 16 constituting Germany. These developments heralded the city’s return to its historic position of prominence in European culture and commerce.

+ Berlin lies in the valley of the Spree River that runs through the center of the city. While still a small town, it became the capital of the electoral princes of Brandenburg from the end of the 15th century onward. From the late 17th and early 18th centuries, when the electors of Brandenburg (also kings of Prussia from 1701) developed into powerful figures on the European political stage, the city expanded and gained a Baroque appearance; new castles, such as Charlottenburg Palace, were built.

+ The Tiergarten, west of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin has always been a green city, with trees softening the effect of the apartment blocks in many streets. Water is even more prevalent, with the Spree River running through the city, a broad belt of lakes spreading out east and west, and canals that run through much of the city. Until the of 1989, the most notorious feature of the city’s topography was the Berlin Wall, erected by the East German communist government in 1961 to stop free movement between East Berlin (and indeed East Germany) and West Berlin. Of the several heavily guarded crossing points, Checkpoint Charlie on Friedrichstrasse was the most famous.

In the city Braga, a city in the far north of Portugal, northeast of Porto

 Many hilltops in Portugal and other parts of Europe have been sites of religious devotion since antiquity.

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(in the city of Braga, in northern Portugal) Worshippers have been coming to the sacred hill of Mount Espinho since the 14th century. The original chapel, dedicated to the Holy Cross, was rebuilt in 1494 and again in 1522. (Two centuries later, construction began on the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte that we know today.) This chapel, dedicated to the Holy Cross, was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1629 a pilgrimage church was built dedicated to the Bom Jesus (Good Jesus), The present Sanctuary started being built in 1722, with chapels dedicated to the Via Crucis, were completed. Each chapel is decorated with terra cotta sculptures depicting the Passion of Christ; the next segment of stairways is dedicated to the Five Senses. Each sense (Sight, Smell, Hearing, Touch, Taste) is represented by a different fountain. At the end of this stairway, a Baroque church was built around 1725. The works on the first chapels, stairways, and church proceeded through the 18th century. Around 1781, the ensemble was completed by adding a third segment of stairways and a new church. The third stairway also follows a zigzag pattern and is dedicated to the Three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity, each with its fountain. This new church was consecrated in 1834. The main altarpiece is dedicated to the Crucifixion. In 1882, the water balance Bom Jesus funicular was built linking the city of Braga to the hill. This was the first funicular to be built in the Iberian Peninsula and is still in use. The design of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus influenced many other sites in Portugal and colonial Brazil, As the pilgrims climbed the stairs, (by tradition encouraged to do so on their knees); at the same time as they experienced the scenes of the Passion of Christ. The culmination of the effort was the temple of God, the church on the top of the hill. The new church (built 1784–1834) was one of the first Neoclassic churches of Portugal it was elevated to a Minor Basilica status on 5 July 2015 by Pope Francis. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, is still a popular pilgrimage site. Developed over a period of more than 600 years, the sanctuary provides a panoramic view of the city of Braga. The temple's saddened state spurred Archbishop of Braga, Rodrigo de Moura Telles into action in 1722. His patronage funded the first two stairways (the Portico Staircase and the Staircase of the Five Senses) and the chapels that line it, as well as a small baroque church. In the 18th century Pope Clement XIV sent three religious briefs regarding the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, which resulted in more and more devotees coming to Mount Espinho. In 1784, the first stone of the present-day cathedral was placed on the hill.

The area around Bom Jesus do Monte was turned into a park in the 19th century.
(It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.)

In the city of Potsdam, the capital and largest city of the German state of Brandenburg

 Potsdam is a diverse cultural hub with a 1,000-year history as a royal capital and State capital near Berlin. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by monuments, palaces, and modern architecture.

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(on the Havel River southwest of central Berlin, in Germany) Potsdam,the capital and crown jewel of the state of Brandenburg, is easily reached by S-Bahn; the former Prussian royal seat is the most popular day trip from Berlin, luring visitors with its splendid gardens and palaces, which garnered UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990.

+ Potsdam, a part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region, sits on the River Havel, a tributary of the Elbe, downstream of Berlin, and lies embedded in a hilly morainic landscape dotted with many lakes, around 20 of which are located within Potsdam's city limits. It lies some 25 kilometers (16 miles) southwest of Berlin's city center. (The name of the city and of many of its boroughs are of Slavic origin.) Potsdam was a residence of the Prussian kings and the German Emperor until 1918. Its planning embodied ideas of the Age of Enlightenment: through a balance of architecture and landscape, Potsdam was intended as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" which would remind its residents of their relationship with nature and reason.

+ The city, which is over 1,000 years old, is widely known for its palaces, its lakes, and its overall historical and cultural significance. Landmarks include the parks and palaces of Sanssouci, Germany's largest World Heritage Site, as well as other palaces such as the Orangery Palace, the New Palace, Cecilienhof Palace, and Charlottenhof Palace. Potsdam was also the location of the significant Potsdam Conference in 1945, the conference where the three heads of government of the USSR, the US, and the UK decided on the division of Germany following its surrender,which defined Germany's history for the following 45 years.

+ Babelsberg, in the south-eastern part of Potsdam, was already by the 1930s the home of a major film production studio and it has enjoyed success as an important center of European film production since the fall of the Berlin Wall (in November, 1089. (The Filmstudio Babelsberg, founded in 1912, is the oldest large-scale film studio in the world.) Potsdam developed into a center of science in Germany in the 19th century. (Today, there are three public colleges, the University of Potsdam, and more than 30 research institutes in the city.) Potsdam is divided into seven historic city Stadtteile (quarters) and nine new Ortsteile (suburbs/wards, former separate villages), which joined the city in 2003. The appearance of the city boroughs is quite different. Those in the north and in the centeer consist mainly of historical buildings, the south of the city is dominated by larger areas of newer buildings. The city of Potsdam is divided into 32 Stadtteile (boroughs, both quarters and suburbs/wards together),that are divided further into 84 statistical Bezirke (districts).

At the Schönbrunn Palace, city of Vienna, Austria

 The Schönbrunn Palace was once the summer home of the Hapsburg family.

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(in Vienna, Austria) The Hapsburgs were the ruling family of Austria for many years Schönbrunn Palace is a former imperial 1,441- room Rococo summer residence. It is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria. Since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. This was the court's recreational hunting ground. In a separate part of the area, "exotic" birds like turkeys and peafowl were kept.The name Schönbrunn (meaning "beautiful spring") is from an artesian well from which water was consumed by the court. Eleonora Gonzaga, who loved hunting, spent much time there. She was given the area as her widow's residence after the death of her husband, Ferdinand II. The sculpted garden space between the palace and the Sun Fountain is called the Great Parterre. The French garden, a big part of the area, was planned by Jean Trehet in 1695. It has a Maze. Western parts were turned into English garden style in 1828–1852. At the outmost western edge, a botanical garden was made in 1828. Lining the Great Parterre are 32 sculptures, which represent deities and virtues. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, the new Austrian Republic became the owner of Schönbrunn Palace. They made it a museum. (Later it was used for events like the meeting between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev in 1961.) UNESCO designated Schönbrunn Palace a World Heritage site in 1996, together with its gardens, as a  Baroque ensemble (and an example of synthesis of the arts.)

+ Schloss Schönbrunn, with Neptune's Fountain and the Gloriette, on the grounds of Schönbrunn, in Vienna. Tiergarten, perhaps the oldest zoo in Europe, was founded within the grounds in 1752.
+ The Schönbrunn Palace is Austria's most frequently visited tourist attraction.

In the year 1569, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II purchased a floodplain of the Wien river. The emperor put game there. This was the court's recreational hunting ground. + The name Schönbrunn (meaning "beautiful spring") is from an artesian well from which water was consumed by the court. During the next century, the area was used as a hunting and recreation ground. Eleonora Gonzaga, who loved hunting, spent much time there. She was given the area as her widow's residence after the death of her husband, Ferdinand II. In 1642 it was called "Schönbrunn" for the first time. The sculpted garden space between the palace and the Sun Fountain is called the Great Parterre. Lining the Great Parterre are 32 sculptures, which represent deities and virtues. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, the new Austrian Republic became the owner of Schönbrunn Palace. They soon made it a museum.
Later it was used for important events such as the meeting between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev in 1961.

+ UNESCO catalogued Schönbrunn Palace on the World Heritage List in 1996.