In the fairytale village of Halstatt, Upper Austria

 Hallstatt, a site in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut region, is where objects characteristic of the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age were first identified; the term Hallstatt now refers generally to late Bronze and early Iron Age culture in central and western Europe.

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(in Upper Austria) Hallstatt is a fairytale Austrian village -- and lots of tourists have noticed It. (Set foot in the village of Hallstatt and it seems a musical number might erupt at any moment.) Bright reds and yellows paint this Austrian town’s 16th-century architecture; in Spring and Summer, flower boxes drape windows in geraniums and ivy; and cobblestone streets connect charming cafés, ornate churches, and Alpine inns. Natural wonders await around every corner -- from the neighboring Salzkammergut mountains to Lake Hallstatt, to the village’s very own waterfall.

+ Despite being accessible only on foot, this small town saw a million visitors in 2018, reports the Washington Post -- a staggering 347 times more tourists per capita than Hong Kong, one of the world’s most visited cities. Greatly-increased tourism in Hallstatt was covered by The Washington Post in August 2019. Though its tourism began in the 19th century, it greatly increased after the village was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It became popular among East Asian tourists in 2006 when it was featured on a South Korean television show. Social media images of Hallstatt, captioned "the most Instagrammable town in the world," went viral in Eastern and Southeast Asia.

+ Hallstatt's economy now depends on tourism, but according to locals the day-visitors drive away tourists who would stay longer. Hallstatt became the prime example of overtourism in Austria and led to controversies around limiting the number of tourists. The Austrian Public Broadcasting Organization made multiple documentaries about the situation. In 2020, the town focused on "quality" tourism.[ From autumn 2020 there are assigned time slots for tour buses to cope with the problem. The arrivals will be limited to 54 per day, which is about half of the current number. Buses with an overnight booking in the town will receive preference. In August 2023, it was reported that locals had protested against overtourism, with the town of just 700 residents being visited by up to 10,000 visitors per day during the high season.

+ Hallstatt is situated between the southwestern shore of Hallstätter See and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif; the town lies in the Salzkammergut region, on the national road linking Salzburg and Graz. Hallstatt is known for its production of salt, dating back to prehistoric times, and gave its name to the Hallstatt culture, the archaeological culture linked to Proto-Celtic and Celtic people of the Early Iron Age in Europe (ca. 800–450 BCE).

+ The village is at the core of the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, which was declared as one of the World Heritage Sites in 1997.

In the Old City of Dubrovnik, in southern Croatia

 Dubrovnik, the port of Dalmatia is situated on the southern Adriatic Sea coast; it is commonly regarded as the most attractive city on the Dalmatian coast, and is referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

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(in southeastern Croatia) 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 filled with limestone streets, baroque buildings, and big sea-facing walls representing the story of resilience and liberty. No wonder it attracts tourists worldwide to experience the rich history preserved in monuments and ancient buildings of the city. Medieval history meets breezy Mediterranean vibes here in Dubrovnik, where towering stone fortresses rise from the sparkling Adriatic. Visitors love to walk along the ancient walls surrounding the Old Town to enjoy a sweeping view of the city, which is dotted with monasteries, palaces, and terracotta rooftops. Many also like to hit the beach. although most are pebbly and rugged -- but if they are looking for a stretch of sand, they can hop on a ferry and head to Lopud, a car-free island where they can kick back on Šunj beach, grab a bite in the village, or check out Lopud 1483 (a restored 15th-century Franciscan monastery.)

+ Direct rail lines connect Dubrovnik to surrounding countries, but there are only indirect links with other Croatian cities. From its harbor at nearby Gruž, ships ply to other Dalmatian ports and to Italy. The port and tourism are the leading factors in the city’s economy, and there are some light industries. There is an airport in nearby Čilipi with service to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and several major European cities.

+ Dubrovnik is also home to many fine museums. The Museum of Dubrovnik is sited in the Rector’s Palace, and contains extensive collections of furniture and uniforms. The inventory of Dubrovnik’s old pharmacy (founded in the 14th century), jewelry, embroideries, and paintings, are displayed in the Franciscan monastery. The Maritime Museum, established in 1941 and located in a former fortress, chronicles the city’s seafaring past. The Dubrovnik State Archives, with manuscripts in numerous languages and some dating to 800 years ago, are located in the Sponza Palace (formerly a mint). There are also archaeological, ethnographic, and theatrical museums. A summer arts festival featuring theater and music and other annual festivals attract many tourists to the scenic city.

On the Champ de Mars in Paris, France

 The symbol of Paris and one of the most photographed structures in the world, a visit to the Eiffel Tower is a must for all travelers.

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(on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France) Young travelers heading out on the road for the first time, couples looking for a special getaway, artists looking to spur their creativity, and romantics of all types are all drawn to Paris. This is a city where history and culture collide and where travelers of all kinds can find the experience they're after. The Eiffel Tower, a wrought-iron lattice tower, is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889. Locally nicknamed "La dame de fer" (French for "Iron Lady"), it was constructed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair, and to crown the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution. It has since become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the most visited monument with an entrance fee in the world. It was designated a monument historique in 1964, and was named part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site ("Paris, Banks of the Seine") in 1991.

+ The tower is 330 meters (1,083 ft.) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris. Its base is square, measuring 125 meters (410 ft) on each side. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest human-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years (until the Chrysler Building in New York City was finished in 1930. It was the first structure in the world to surpass both the 200-meter and 300-meter mark in height. Due to the addition of a broadcasting aerial at the top of the tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 meters (17 ft). Excluding transmitters, the Eiffel Tower is the second tallest free-standing structure in France after the Millau Viaduct.

+ Named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, the Tour Eiffel was built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair). It took 300 workers, 2.5 million rivets and two years of nonstop labor to assemble. Upon completion, the tower became the tallest human-made structure in the world (at 324 meters) – a record held until the 1930 completion of New York's Chrysler Building. A symbol of the modern age, it faced opposition from Paris’ artistic and literary elite, and the "metal asparagus," as some snidely called it, was originally slated to be torn down in 1909. It was spared only because it proved an ideal platform for the transmitting antennas needed for the newfangled science of radiotelegraphy.

+ Sporting six different colors throughout its lifetime, the tower has been painted red and bronze since 1968. Work is underway to strip the previous 19 coats and apply the yellow-brown shade originally conceived by Gustave Eiffel, giving it a new golden hue in time for the 2024 Olympics.

In Castile–La Mancha, an autonomous community and historic region of Spain

 The autonomous community of Castile–La Mancha was established by the statute of autonomy, from the historic region of New Castile, 10 August 1982.

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(in Castile–La Mancha, an autonomous community and historic region of Spain)
Encompassing the provinces of Toledo, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Albacete, Castile–La Mancha is bounded by the autonomous communities of Madrid to the north, Aragon to the northeast, Valencia to the east, Murcia to the southeast, Andalusia to the south, Extremadura to the west, and Castile-León to the northwest. The capital of Castile–La Mancha is Toledo. A watershed of the low-lying Toledo Mountains bisects the region, with tablelands of La Alcarria to the north being drained by the Tagus and the plains of La Mancha to the south being drained by the Guadiana River. La Alcarria merges with the Sistema Central to the north and the Iberian Cordillera to the east; the plains of La Mancha extend southeastward into the province of Albacete, terminating in the Baetic Cordillera. The Sierra Morena rises in the south. A Mediterranean climate, modified by continental influences prevails; causing temperatures to increase from east to west and north to south. Annual precipitation is relatively low, exceeding 20 inches (500 mm) only in the province of Cuenca, and is concentrated in the Autumn and Spring. Emigration which has been especially high among young men, has resulted in an increase in the median age and a drop in the birth rate. The population here tends to be dispersed in the Iberian Cordillera and concentrated in the plains of La Mancha, where large agricultural towns predominate. Farmland in La Mancha tends to be partitioned into latifundios, or large estates, while minifundios, or small landholdings, predominate north of the Tagus. (The region produces about half of Spain’s wine and mills a large portion of the country’s flour.)

+ The National Museum of Abstract Art was established in the city of Cuenca in 1966. The polychromatic ceramics produced in the province of Toledo have been widely marketed since the 14th century The town of Atienza in the province of Guadalajara features a Caballada every Pentecost, in which townsmen ride to the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella outside Atienza and reenact the rescue of Alfonso VII by townsmen in 1163.

+ Featured here are the windmills in Consuegra,Castile in the region of La Mancha on the top of the hill Calderico, where you can find quite an impressive image of Spain: 12 windmills surround a huge fortress making for an astonished view. History, culture and fiction comes together here. The great flat land, the endless skyline where soil and sky connected appears in front of you, and in the distance are the windmills and a huge castle on the top of a hill crowning the plain. While arriving at the heart of Spain you sense a history that goes back thousands of years. (It is a place where you can learn the history and tradition, and a bit of human history too).

At the Viking Triangle, a cultural and heritage area in the heart of Waterford City in southeast Ireland

 Waterford is a city and county that combines ancient history, modern culture, and stunning scenery.

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(in County Waterford in southeast Ireland). Waterford city is situated on the Suir River about 17 miles (27 km) from where the river enters the sea. Practically the entire city is built on the south bank of the river. The Old Town, now the business center, clusters behind the broad quay-front on a low-lying strip of land left behind by a gentle loop of the river at this point.

+ As the oldest city in Ireland, Waterford boasts a rich Viking heritage that can be explored in the Viking Triangle, where visitors can see the medieval Reginald's Tower, the Bishop's Palace, and the Waterford Crystal factory. Waterford is also a lively and vibrant place, with a thriving food scene, local festivals, and charming shops. If you want to escape the city, you can enjoy the beautiful countryside and coastline of Waterford county, where you can cycle along the Waterford Greenway, relax on sandy beaches, or visit historic sites like Lismore Castle and the Copper Coast.

+ Located within the province of Munster at the head of Waterford Harbor, it is the oldest and the fifth most populous city in Ireland. It is also the 9th most populous settlement on the island. According to the 2022 census, 60,079 people live in the city, with a wider metropolitan population of 82,963.

+ Historically the site of a Viking settlement, Waterford's medieval defensive walls and fortifications include the 13th or 14th century Reginald's Tower. The medieval city was attacked several times, and earned the motto Urbs Intacta Manet (the untaken city), after repelling one such 15th century siege. Waterford is known for its former glassmaking industry, including at the Waterford Crystal factory, with decorative glass being manufactured in the city from 1783 until early 2009 when the factory closed following the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc. The Waterford Crystal visitor center was opened, in the city's Viking Quarter, in 2010 and resumed production under new ownership. As of the 21st century, Waterford has served as the county seat of County Waterford, and the local government authority is Waterford City and County Council.

+ Today, Waterford is a city and county that combines ancient history, modern culture, and stunning scenery. As the oldest city in Ireland, it boasts a Viking heritage that can be explored in the Viking Triangle, where you can see the medieval Reginald's Tower, the Bishop's Palace, and the Waterford Crystal factory. Waterford is also a vibrant place, with a thriving food scene, local festivals, and charming shops. If you want to escape the city, you can enjoy the beautiful countryside and coastline of Waterford county, where you can cycle along the Waterford Greenway, relax on sandy beaches, or visit historic sites like Lismore Castle and the Copper Coast.

+ Shown here is Viking Triangle, a cultural and heritage area in the heart of Waterford City:

In the capital city of Maastricht, Netherlands

 "...[The Maastricht Treaty] was not the end of history. It was a first step towards a Europe of growth, of employment, a social Europe...."

-- Laurent Fabius
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(in the Netherlands) Touching Belgium on its west and just a few miles from Germany to the east, Maastricht is the capital of Holland’s southernmost region, Limburg. A city rich in history and culture, Maastricht has the second highest number of national heritage buildings in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. The city boasts two great town squares: Vrijthof, with Sint-Servaas Church, Sint-Jan's Cathedral and Markt, home to the Town Hall and a fantastic vendor market. (The city’s Old Town fortifications, are another popular draw.) Mount Saint Peter is largely situated within the city's municipal borders. Adjacent to the border with Belgium, Maastricht is part of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, an international metropolis, which includes the nearby German and Belgian cities of Aachen, Liège, and Hasselt.

+ Developed from a Roman settlement, Trajectum ad Mosam (“Ford on the Meuse”), to a medieval river trade and religious center, in the 16th century Maastricht became a garrison town -- and in the 19th century an industrial center. Today, the city is a thriving cultural and regional hub. (It would later become the birthplace of the euro.) The city is visited by tourists for shopping and recreation, and has an international student population.) Maastricht houses several beautifully designed buildings, some of which are rare European churches. Aside from this, there is a much to do in the city -- including a visit to the treasures of Saint Servatius.

+ Attacked on the first day of the German invasion of the Low Countries in 1940, Maastricht was the first Dutch town to be liberated, in 1944. Following a 1991 meeting of the European Communities that was held in Maastricht, an accord, known as the Maastricht Treaty was signed, which called for the establishment of a European Union -- with common policies on economic foreign affairs, security, and immigration.

+ Attacked on the first day of the German invasion of the Low Countries in 1940, Maastricht was the first Dutch town to be liberated, in 1944. Following a 1991 meeting of the European Communities that was held in Maastricht, an accord (known as the Maastricht Treaty) was signed, calling for the establishment of a European Union, with common policies on economics, foreign affairs, security, and immigration. Maastricht’s landmarks now include the St. Servatius Bridge over the Meuse, the Dinghuis, or former courthouse, and the Town Hall. The cathedral, dedicated to St. Servatius, was founded by Bishop Monulphus in the 6th century; it is the oldest church in the Netherlands, although rebuilt and enlarged from the 11th to the 15th century. The Protestant Church of St. John originally served as its parish church. There are many other medieval churches, as well as fine houses in regional Renaissance and French styles.

In the Italian style village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd in North Wales

 Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis was a Welsh architect known chiefly as the creator of the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales. He became a major figure in the development of Welsh architecture in the first half of the 20th century.

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(in the Italian style village in North Wales) Portmeirion is a tourist village in Gwynedd that lies on the estuary of the River Dwyryd River in the community of Penrhyndeudraeth. Portmeirion was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the Baroque style, and is now owned by a charitable trust.

+ Set on its own tranquil peninsula reaching into the estuary, this fantastical collection of colorful buildings with a heavy Italian influence was masterminded by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. Starting in 1925, Sir Clough collected bits and pieces from disintegrating stately mansions and set them alongside his own creations to concoct this weird and wonderful seaside utopia. Today the buildings are all heritage listed, the site is a conservation area, and festivals, fairs, gigs and other events are frequently held here.
At the age of 90, Sir Clough deemed Portmeirion to be complete -- 50 years after he began. It is really more like a stage set than an actual village, and it formed the ideally surreal set for cult TV series The Prisoner, which was filmed here from 1966 to 1967. It still draws fans of the show in droves, with rival Prisoner conventions held annually in March and April. (The giant plaster-of-Paris Buddha, just off the piazza, was featured in the 1958 film The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman.) 

A documentary on Sir Clough and Portmeirion screens on the hour in a building just above the central piazza.  

+ Sir Clough's lifelong concern was with the whimsical and intriguing nature of architecture, his raison d'être to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without defiling it. His life's work now stands as a testament to beauty, something he described as "that strange necessity." He died in 1978, having campaigned for the environment throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales in 1928 and served as its president for 20 years.

+ Most of the quirky cottages and scaled-down mansions scattered about the site are available for holiday lets (the Unicorn building, with its faux-Georgian facade, offers great views over the central village), while other buildings contain cafes, restaurants and gift shops. Portmeirion pottery (the famously florid tableware designed by Susan, Sir Clough's daughter) is available, even though these days it's made in Stoke-on-Trent (England). A network of walking paths thread along the coast and through the forested private peninsula, which includes the ruins of a castle (a real one, not one of Sir Clough's creations) and a profusion of exotic plants,