In the port city of Rouen, northwestern France

 "At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst." -- Aristotle

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(on the Seine River in northwestern France) The port city of Rouen, in the Haute-Normandie région, is located about 78 miles (125 km) northwest of Paris. Normandy’s ancient capital on the Seine, Rouen is often referred to as the "city of 100 church towers.” The city is home to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Gothic wonder with the tallest church spire in France. Considered one of the finest Gothic churches in this country, Monet painted his famous 1892 Rouen Cathedral series here. The adjoining Archbishop’s Palace has a 15th-century facade, behind which stands the mainly 15th-century church of Saint-Maclou, a rich example of Flamboyant Gothic. The church of Saint-Ouen has a striking interior and 14th-century windows. Famous secular buildings include the late Gothic Palais de Justice (featured here) and the 16th-century Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde. The Palace of Justice was built at the end of the Middle Ages on the remains of the then Jewish quarter, which had been destroyed after the expulsion of the Jews in 1306. A splendid example of medieval civilian architecture, the Palais de Justice houses the Rouen Law Courts and was the meeting place of the Parliament of Normandy.

In the town of Baden-Baden, in southwestern Germany's Black Forest

 “I am a forest, and a night of dark trees: but he who is not afraid of my darkness, will find banks full of roses under my cypresses.” --Friedrich Nietzsche

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(in southwestern Germany, at the north-western border of the Black Forest) Baden-Baden, one of Europe’s most fashionable spa towns, is an ideal base for exploring the Black Forest and a great place to stay for getting pampered. Found in the rolling hills of the northern part of the Black Forest, the 19th–century town is filled with striking Belle Époque-era architecture and old-world luxury. Baden-Baden has a vibrant cultural community with events and art exhibitions throughout the year. Wandering the alleys and lanes of Baden-Baden's tightly packed Old Town is a perfect way to explore its Baroque-influenced architecture, as well as to visit the many small jewelry and antique shops, galleries, and cafés that make up its considerable charms. The 17th-century Convent of the Holy Sepulchre is also worth visiting, especially for its elaborate grid separating the Nuns' Gallery and the carved botanical designs on the pulpit. Take a walk into the Black Forest National Park, or stay in the town center and enjoy the curative waters of the thermal baths, which were built in the early 1800s.

In the town of Miltenberg, Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany

 "To be safe, we lose our chance of ever knowing

What's around the riverbend...."
-- Just Around the Riverbend lyrics (from the Disney film, Pocahontas)
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(in Bavaria) The seat of a historic county in the old Electorate of Mainz, the town of Miltenberg, known as "The Pearl of the Main" (River), is found along a bend in the river by the eastern peaks of the Odenwald (a wooded upland region in Germany). Those slopes lend a sense of the spectacular to Miltenberg’s romantic alleyways and squares. Its half-timbered houses bear witness to Miltenberg’s historic wealth as a center of commerce on the Main. Some great figures have spent a bit of time in Miltenberg, including two Holy Roman Emperors and Napoleon. What’s amazing is that the Zum Riesen (inn) where they lodged is still in business today. (Miltenberg belonged to Electoral Mainz until 1803. After secularization and the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss [a classic example of a compounded German word, meaning "Principal Conclusion of the Extraordinary Imperial Delegation"], Miltenberg passed to the Principality of Leiningen, with which it was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Baden in 1806. After having become part of the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt in 1810, the town finally became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1816.)

At "Halle Forest", also known as the Blue Forest, Belgium

 “You can't lie in a magical forest! It will ruin all the magic!” -- Michael Delaware, Blue and the Magical Forest: The Power of Hopes and Dreams

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(in Belgium) A forest in this country is gaining increasing attention for looking particularly magical this time of year, with its spectacular burst of bluebells. The Hallerbos (Dutch for "Halle Forest"), also known as the Blue Forest, is found only 20 km (12 mi.) from Brussels. Located mostly in the municipality of Halle, it occupies the territory between the Zenne River and the Sonian Forest. Covering an area of 552 ha (1,360 acres), the forest is famous in the region for its bluebell carpet which covers the forest floor for several weeks each Spring, attracting many visitors. The original name for these tiny flowers is Campanula Rotundifolia, but they are now known as “harebell” or “bluebell.” The purple-blue of the bluebells, combined with the transparent green of the young beech-tree leaves, lends quite a magical effect to the forest. The sunlight still reaches the flowers through the leaf canopy, though a bit less with each passing day. (Besides the bluebells, the giant Sequoia trees are also quite impressive. You may also observe the rabbits and deer in the area or go hiking or biking.)

In the city of Krems an der Donau, in the Austrian state of Lower Austria

 "Krems und Stein sind drei Städte" ("Krems and Stein are three towns") -- a local witticism

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(in the Austrian state of Lower Austria) The city of Krems an der Donau is found at the confluence of the Danube and Krems rivers northwest of Vienna. Krems, as it's locally known, is the gateway to the Wachau Valley and one of the prettiest towns on the Danube. Krems consists of three parts: Krems to the east, Stein (formerly a separate town) to the west, and the connecting suburb of Und (the German word for "and"). A great regional food scene; an intact historical center; top-quality Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites from local vineyards; and high-caliber museums attract lots of tourists during the summer months. Aimless wandering may be a good way to explore Krems -- while checking out churches and museums, strolling the banks of the Danube, and sampling some local wine. Mentioned in 995 as an imperial fortress, it was chartered in the 12th century, when it had a mint. Of its medieval fortifications, the Steiner Gate, the Pulverturm (Powder Tower), and the Gozzoburg remain. Landmarks include the 13th-century Stadtburg (a fortress), the St. Veit parish church (one of Austria’s oldest Baroque churches); and two Gothic churches in Stein. Depicted here is the Steiner Gate in Krems:

At the Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark

 “My castle is very different from what I planned, but I would not alter it.” ― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

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(in Denmark) Located on the islands of Zealand and Amager, at the southern end of The Sound (Øresund), Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and a leading center of culture and education in Europe. Featured here is the beautiful 400-year-old Rosenborg Castle, found in central Copenhagen's popular park, The King's Garden. A marvelous combination of turrets, gables and moat, the early-17th-century Rosenborg Slot was built in Dutch Renaissance style by King Christian IV -- one of the most famous Scandinavian kings -- to serve as his summer home. Today the castle's 24 upper rooms are chronologically arranged, housing the furnishings and portraits of each monarch from Christian IV to Frederik VII. The pièce de résistance is the basement Treasury, home to the dazzling crown jewels, among them Christian IV's glorious crown and Christian III's jewel-studded sword. Feeling a bit cramped at Rosenborg, King Frederik IV built a larger palace in the 18th century in the town of Fredensborg, north of the city. In the years that followed, Rosenborg was used mainly for official functions and as a place in which to safeguard the monarchy's heirlooms.

In the city of Esztergom in northern Hungary

 “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -– St. Augustine

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(in northwestern Hungary) The town of Esztergom is a port on the Danube River, just 25 miles (40 km) from Budapest. It is found at the western end of the valley cut by the Danube between the Pilis and Börzsöny hills, which divides the Little Alfold (Little Hungarian Plain) from the Great Alfold (Great Hungarian Plain). Esztergom was the capital and royal residence of the early Árpád princes and kings and successive Hungarian kings until the mid-13th century. Stephen I was born in the town and crowned there in 1000. The archbishopric is the oldest in Hungary, dating from 1001. Esztergom’s fortress, last restored in the 18th century, is still largely intact atop Várhegy (Castle Hill). Its massive basilica, sitting high above the town and Danube River, is a marvelous sight, rising out of what seems like nowhere in a rural stretch of country. A beautiful town, packed with historic attractions, Esztergom makes a great day trip from Budapest and amply rewards those who linger longer. The great cathedral (built from 1822–60) is modeled on St. Peter’s in Rome, and is the largest church in Hungary -- the outside height of the cupola rising to 106 meters.