In the seaport city of Côte-d’Azur or French Riviera, southeastern France

 With its mix of real-city life, old-world opulence, year-round sunshine, vibrant street life, and stunning seaside location, no place in France compares with Nice.

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(At the eastern edge of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur coastline) Nice, which is often referred to as the “Queen of the French Riviera,” is a city that dazzles with its coastal charm and artistic heritage. As one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean, its allure is undeniable. The Promenade des Anglais, with its palm trees and azure waters, is a sight to behold, offering quite a blend of urban sophistication and beachside relaxation.

+ Venture into the Old Town where you will be greeted by a maze of narrow alleys filled with vibrant markets, quaint cafes, and historic structures. The Cours Saleya, famous for its flower market, is a sensory delight, with colors and fragrances that captivate the soul. The city is a popular hub for art lovers, boasting museums dedicated to greats like Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse. As evening descends, the city comes alive with its vibrant nightlife, from jazz clubs to beachfront bars. As you soak in the Mediterranean vibes, it becomes evident that visiting Nice is an experience that combines culture, history, and the quintessential Riviera elegance.

+ Nice is also the capital of the French Riviera; in addition to many museums and beaches, you will find beautiful sights, green parks, and a long seaside promenade The deep blue waters of the Cote d’Azur are the dramatic backdrop for the cultural capital of the French Riviera, set on the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). Stroll, bike, or rollerblade the famous Promenade des Anglais, a palm-tree-lined, four-mile stretch that runs along the sea shore. A hike up Castle Hill offers incredible panoramic views, while a walk through the pretty streets of Old Town delivers on fine cafés, a famed flower market, and busy brasseries serving delicious Provençal food. It is easy to see why Nice was a haven for painters like Marc Chagall and Matisse, and if you need a break from Nice’s endless sun, you can visit local museums highlighting their work. Don’t pass up the chance to experience the French Riviera’s glitz and glamor by taking day trips to Saint Tropez and Monaco (offering night-long clubbing,

+ This seaport city, Mediterranean tourist center, and capital of the Alpes-Maritimes départment of the Provence–Alpes–Côte-d’Azur région of France is located on the Baie (bay) des Anges, 20 miles (32 km) from the Italian border. Sheltered by beautiful hills, Nice has a great climate and is the leading resort city of the Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera.

+ Tourism is one of the city’s main economic activities. Apart from the beaches and yachting harbor, tourism is stimulated by Nice’s cultural facilities, shops, and architectural heritage; in addition, numerous events and festivals are organized each year, notably the Carnival of Nice, which dates from 1873, but also including the open tennis tournament.

In the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, France

 In 1858, Lourdes rose to prominence in France and abroad due to the Marian apparitions to the peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous (who was later canonized for her virtuous life). Shortly thereafter, the city and its Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes became one of the world's most important sites of pilgrimage and religious tourism.

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(in southwestern France) The sprawling pilgrimage town of Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées départment of the Occitanie région is found southwest of Toulouse. Situated at the foot of the Pyrenees and now on both banks of a torrent, the Gave de Pau, the town and its fortress formed a strategic stronghold in medieval times. During the Hundred Years’ War the French captured it from the English in 1406 after an 18-month siege. The medieval castle, on the right bank of the Gave de Pau, has an interesting 14th-century keep.

+ The contemporary importance of Lourdes dates from 1858. In that year, from February 11 to July 16, Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl, had numerous visions of the Virgin Mary in the nearby Massabielle grotto, on the left bank of the stream. The visions were declared authentic by Pope Pius IX in 1862, and veneration of Mary as Our Lady of Lourdes was authorized. The underground spring in the grotto, revealed to Bernadette, was declared to have miraculous qualities, and Lourdes became a major pilgrimage center. The basilica, built above the grotto in 1876, eventually became overcrowded by the increasing number of pilgrims, and in 1958 an immense prestressed concrete underground church, seating 20,000, was dedicated. Lourdes is visited by millions every year, and tourism plays a dominant role in the local economy.

+ Bernadette, christened Marie-Bernard, was born on January 7, 1844, in Lourdes. On February 11, 1858, she went to gather twigs for firewood by the banks of the Gave de Pau. Bernadette heard the roar of a great wind, but the trees were still. Looking up, she saw in a nearby grotto a vision she later described as “a lady, young and beautiful.”

+ Bernadette continued to have visions, always in the grotto. During the ninth vision she uncovered a trickle of water that proved to be a spring. A few days later a blind stonecutter bathed his eyes in the water and reported a miraculous cure. Thousands of people began gathering there, and more such cures were attributed to the use of the water.

+ Bernadette took final vows as a nun with the Sisters of Charity at Nevers, France, in 1878. On April 16, 1879, Bernadette died of tuberculosis and was buried in the convent chapel. She was beatified in 1925 and was canonized as Saint Bernadette on December 8, 1933. Her feast day is February 18.

+Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (shown here) stands near the site of Saint Bernadette’s visions:

In the capital city of Serbia, Belgrade

 Belgrade is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe and the world. It lies at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers in the north-central part of Serbia.

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(in the capital city of Serbia) Belgrade is located at the convergence of three historically important routes of travel between Europe and the Balkans: an east-west route along the Danube River valley from Vienna to the Black Sea; another that runs westward along the valley of the Sava River toward Trieste and northern Italy; and a third running southeast along the valleys of the Morava and Vardar rivers to the Aegean Sea. To the north and west of Belgrade lies the Pannonian Basin, which includes the great grain-growing region of Vojvodina. Belgrade is designated as a city that never sleeps. The city boasts popular nightlife destinations with floating clubs on its river that feature some great parties and lots of fun. It is also home to some great Museums that unravel the history of this crown jewel. (Top attractions include Belgrade Fortress, Saint Sava Temple, and Nikola Tesla Museum.)

+ Diverse, welcoming, and a a lot of fun -- everything you never heard about Serbia is true. Best of all, this landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans is still delightfully off the tourist trail. While the feisty Serbian spirit is embodied in Belgrade’s world-class nightlife and Novi Sad’s epic EXIT Festival, look beyond these historic metropolises and you’ll discover a crucible of cultures and unsullied outdoors ripe for exploration. Outspoken, adventurous, proud, and audacious, Belgrade's gritty exuberance makes it one of Europe's most fascinating cities. While it hurtles towards a brighter future, its chaotic past unfolds before your eyes: socialist blocks are squeezed between art nouveau masterpieces, and remnants of the Habsburg legacy contrast with Ottoman relics and socialist modernist monoliths. This is where the Sava and Danube Rivers meet, an old-world culture that at once evokes time-capsuled communist-era Yugoslavia and new-world, EU-contending cradle of coolness. From 1921 Belgrade was the capital of the three successive Yugoslav states, including the rump Yugoslavia. The city’s rapid population growth since World War II resulted primarily from the migration from rural areas of Serbia as a consequence of industrialization. Most of the inhabitants are Serbs; the largest non-Serb groups are Croats and Montenegrins.

Since World War II Belgrade has become an industrial city that produces motors, tractors and combines, machine tools, electrical equipment, chemicals, textiles, and building materials. It is the largest commercial center in Serbia. A number of international railroad lines pass through Belgrade, which is also served by highways and by river vessels traveling up the Danube from the Black Sea or arriving from western Europe via the Main-Danube Canal. Nikola Tesla Airport is located west of the city at Surčin.

+Shown here is Belgrade's city center:

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).