In the city of Lindau, on Lake Constance [Bodensee] in the south of Germany

 “A lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable.” -- William Wordsworth

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(on the eastern side of Lake Constance [Bodensee] in the south of Germany) Found on Lake Constance, the city of Lindau in the state of Bavaria, Lindau is connected to the mainland by two bridges, southeast of Friedrichshafen. Near the borders of today's Austrian state of Vorarlberg and the Swiss cantons of St. Gallen and Thurgau, Lindau was the site of a Roman camp, Tiberii, and of a Benedictine abbey founded in 810. Fortified in the 12th century, it became a free imperial city in 1275 and was a prosperous merchant town along the trade route from Italy. The abbey was an ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire from 1466 until 1802. Lindau was ruled by Austria in 1804 and passed to Bavaria in 1805. The communities of the “Garden City” on the lake’s northern shore were incorporated with Lindau in 1922. A popular summer resort and tourist center, Lindau retains a medieval and Baroque appearance. Among notable landmarks are the 15th-century Town Hall, the collegiate church of the old abbey, and St Stephen’s Church. Lindau is famous for its architecture and outdoor attractions, like cycling, sailing, hiking, swimming, and camping.

In the city of Lombardy, northern Italy

 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

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(in northern Italy) Lombardy, this country's leading industrial and commercial center, has the largest population of any Italian region. The population is concentrated in the industrial cities of the upper plains and foothills, while the south has lots of great farmlands. Featured here is the city of Bergamo in Lombardy. It too, has two distinct centers: the Alta (upper) city and the Bassa (lower) city. In the southern foothills of the Alps between the Brembo and Serio rivers, Bergamo was originally the center of the Orobi tribe, but became a Roman town in 196 BCE. Rebuilt after destruction by Attila the Hun, it was later the seat of a Lombard duchy and became independent in the 12th century. Ruled by the Milanese Visconti family after 1329, it passed in 1428 to Venice until 1797, when the French included it in the Cisalpine Republic (established by Napoleon). In 1815 it became Austrian and, in 1859, part of the Italian kingdom.

In the Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France

 "At the foot of the stairs

the stones lay in wait…
Later, she began to carry them home.
They gradually took over her house—
from all the ledges and shelves
they stared down at her,
with their indecipherable markings…."
-- Kath Abela
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(in the Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France) The Maritime Alps segment of the Western Alps extend in an arc along the French–Italian border for 120 mi (190 km) between two passes, the Colle di Cadibona and Colle della Maddalena. The mountains include the Ligurian Alps, between Colle di Cadibona and Colle di Tenda) and the Provence Alps (the lower western spurs spreading toward the Rhône River Valley). The charming fortified village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, featured here, is one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera -- and is known for its modern and contemporary art museums and galleries. A charming hilltop fortified village, it is filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. A stroll through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls, and statues tucked into the walls. There are breathtaking views of mountains and the Mediterranean sea, sparkling in the background. Even the cobblestones reflect great beauty (having been shaped like flowers).

In the Kvarner Gulf (also known as Kvarner Bay), off the northern Croatian coast

 "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." -- Winston Churchill

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(just off the northern Croatian coast) The Kvarner Gulf (also known as Kvarner Bay) is found in the northern Adriatic Sea, between the Istrian peninsula and the northern Croatian Littoral mainland. One popular destination, the island of Rab has some of the most diverse landscapes in the Kvarner area, leading to its declaration as a geopark in 2008. The more densely populated southwest coast has pine forests and beaches, while the northeast coast is a windswept region with few settlements, high cliffs and a barren look. In the interior, fertile land is protected from cold winds by mountains, allowing the cultivation of olives, grapes and vegetables. The lovely town of Rab (featured here), is recognizable by its four bell towers and medieval walls. It's the main center of the island, and its streets and squares entice one to discover the rich culture and history. For a great view over Rab's rooftops, including all four bell towers, head to the northwestern corner of the Old Town and look for a small courtyard containing fragments of old monuments. (Stone stairs lead up to the walls where great images, like the one here, can be captured.)

In the city of Ghent, Flanders Region of northwestern Belgium

 "... Belgium has placed against the background of her landscape the memories of her past: the belfries recalling her struggles; the churches, the spirit of her faith; the castles, the sentinels of her splendor." – Dore Ogrizek

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(in the Flanders Region of northwestern Belgium) The city of Ghent is found at the junction of the Lys (Leie) and Scheldt (Schelde) rivers. Despite being one of Belgium's oldest cities, it remains small enough to feel cozy but big enough to be a vibrant, relevant center for trade and culture. An important port, Ghent's city center is a pedestrian area that is a museum to early Flemish architecture, and a testament to the city's medieval might. Impressive Gothic sites, such as St. Bavo's Cathedral and the Castle of the Counts, inspire awe. The works of Flemish masters are housed in the Museum voor Schone Kunst. One of the chief towns of the medieval county of Flanders, Ghent owes its origin to economic developments that occurred in Flanders in the 10th century, after which it grew rapidly and by the 13th century had become one of the largest towns in northern Europe. Ghent is still well known for its large public squares and marketplaces, chief among which is the Vrijdagmarkt (“Friday Market”), the center of the life of the medieval city.

In the city of Geneva, Switzerland

 "... While the movements of people are unpredictable, the movement of time is predictable. While people can be doubted, time cannot be doubted. While people brood, time skips ahead without looking back." — Alan Lightman

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(in Switzerland's second city) Geneva, found in the southwestern corner of this country, is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. It has served as a model for republican government and owes its preeminence to the triumph of human factors, and has been developing its distinctive character since the 16th century, when, as the center of the Calvinist Reformation, it became known as the “Protestant Rome.” Like the swans that play on Europe's largest lake (also called Geneva), the city is quite beautiful. With people chattering in many different languages along its streets, Geneva hosts the headquarters of the World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, International Committee of the Red Cross, the second-largest branches of the United Nations and World Bank (among some 200 international organizations, including not-for-profits), along with lots of upscale hotels, boutiques, jewelers, restaurants, and chocolatiers. Beneath this flawless exterior, lies a fascinating rough-cut diamond, peopled by artists and activists educated in international schools.

On the eastern shore of Lake Como in the Province of Lecco in the Italian region of Lombardy

 “Make your heart like a lake, with a calm, still surface, and great depths of kindness.” – Lao Tzu

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(on the eastern shore of Lake Como in the Province of Lecco in the Italian region of Lombardy) Lake Como is found in northern Italy, 25 miles (40 km) north of Milan, in a natural depression surrounded by limestone and granite mountains. Lake Como's luxuriant lakeshore vegetation includes vines and fig, pomegranate, olive, chestnut, and oleander trees. There is fishing for trout, eel, and agoni, a type of herring, but pollution has much reduced the fish population. The lake is famous for the natural beauty of its setting and for the handsome villas on its shores. Featured here is the lovely village of Bellano, located at northern outlet of the Valsassina valley in the Alps. Bellano's main attraction is the Orrido ("gorge" or small canyon), which was formed through erosion by the Pioverna River -- as its icy waters dug deep into the Valsassina mountains. (The erosion started some 15 million years ago.) Located on Piazza di San Giorgio, in central Bellano, is the 14th-century gothic Chiesa dei Santi Nazzaro e Celso parish church, dedicated to the Saints Nazaro e Celso. (The parish is part of the Upper Lario deanery of the archdiocese of Milan.)