In the city of Prague (The City of a Hundred Spires) and the capital of the Czech Republic

 "The ancient splendor and beauty of Prague, a city beyond compare, left an impression on my imagination that will never fade."

- – Richard Wagner
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(in the Czech Republic) Known as “The City of a Hundred Spires," Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. It is known to be the heart of its historic core because of all the magnificent baroque buildings, medieval astronomical clocks, and gothic churches. The architecture of Prague is enough testament to its wealth and beauty. Other popular spots in this vibrant city are Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and St. Vitus Cathedral.

+ Featured here is Charles Bridge, also known as: Karlův Most; a stone arch bridge built between 1357 and 1402 over the Vltava River in Prague, it was commissioned by King Charles IV to replace Judith Bridge (constructed 1158–72), a narrower construction that had been unable to withstand a flood in 1342. The cornerstone for the new bridge was laid in 1357. The architect was German mason Petr Parléř, who also designed St. Vitus’s Cathedral. (It was the only bridge over the Vltava in Prague until 1841.

+ The Vltava River is the longest one in the Czech Republic, flowing 270 miles (435 km). The bridge has 16 arches. Two towers (one built in the Renaissance style and dating from the 16th century, and the other late Gothic and dating from 1464) guard either end and offer good views along the bridge and over the many spires for which Prague is famous. In the mid-17th century, the bridge began its evolution from Gothic stone crossing to the avenue of Baroque statues seen today. The statue of St. John of Nepomuk, erected in 1683, remains a somber depiction of the country’s patron saint. Between the 6th and 7th pillars sits a cross that is said to mark the place where St. John was thrown into the Vltava on the orders of King Wenceslas IV of Bohemia in 1393. Eventually, all the pillars were occupied (a total of 30 statues of saints, mostly Baroque in style).

+ The Charles Bridge was damaged by several floods over the more than six centuries it has stood, with the most notable occurring in 1784 and 1890. Starting in 1965, the city undertook a gradual replacing of the statues with modern stone replicas. The originals now rest in the National Museum. As part of the bridge’s restoration, in 1965 vehicular traffic was banned from the bridge, and it remains open to pedestrians only.

At the Biebrich Palace, located in the borough of Biebrich in Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany

 Lined with magnificent neoclassical buildings that were rebuilt after WWII, Wiesbaden, the state capital of Hesse, in Germany, is one of Europe's oldest spa towns, with hot springs still flowing today.

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(just 40km [~25 mi.] west of Frankfurt, across the Rhine River from Mainz) The city of Wiesbiden is recognized for its magnificent architecture and extensive parklands, in addition to its restorative health choices; it is the capital city that hosts one of Europe's oldest spa cities that offers 14 hot springs.
+ Wiesbaden is situated on the right (northern) bank of the Rhine, above the confluence of the Main, where the Rhine's main direction changes from north to west. The city is across the Rhine from Mainz, the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Frankfurt am Main is located about 38 km (23.6 mi.) east. To the north of the city are the Taunus Mountains, which trend in a northeasterly direction.

+ The city center, the Stadtmitte, is located in the north-easternmost part of the Upper Rhine Valley at the spurs of the Taunus mountains, about five km (3.1 mi.) from the Rhine. The landscape is formed by a wide lowland between the Taunus heights in the north, the Bierstadter Höhe (a borough) and the Hainerberg (US Army housing area) in the east, the Mosbacher Mountain in the south, and the Schiersteiner Mountain in the west, an offshoot of the Taunus range.

+ Depicted here is the.Biebrich Palace, in the Biebrich borough of Wiesbaden. which is located south of the city center on the Rhine River, opposite the Mainz borough of Mombach. (Biebrich was an independent city until it was incorporated into Wiesbaden in 1926.) Beginning of the 18th century, the princes (Fürsten) of Nassau built the Baroque Biebrich Palace (Schloss Biebrich). When this magnificent building was completed in 1744, the Prince of Nassau-Usingen relocated his residence from the far side of the Taunus to Biebrich. Until the completion of the City Palace in Wiesbaden in 1841, Biebrich was the principal residence of the Princes (and, after 1806, the Dukes) of Nassau.

+ In 1951, the 633rd AAA Gun Battalion, 90mm, 7th Army U.S. NATO Occupation Forces were stationed in Biebrich. (Just this week, during a conference in Washngton D,C, NATO has agreed to launch a new program to provide reliable military aid and training to Ukraine and help it get ready to join the alliance.) The plan will supplement, but not replace, the two-year-old Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which was created after Russia launched its February 2022 invasion into Ukraine. That group, with more than 50 nations from Europe and around the world, coordinates the delivery of much-needed weapons and training to Ukraine.  NATO has agreed to launch a new program to provide reliable military aid and training to Ukraine and help it get ready to join the alliance.

The plan will supplement the two-year-old Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which was created after Russia launched its February 2022 invasion into Ukraine.

At the Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein), located in Bavaria, Germany

 “I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others,”

-- King Ludwig II of Bavaria
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(in the south of Germany) Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein) is a 19th-century historicist palace on a rugged hill of the foothills of the Alps, near the border with Austria. It is located in the Swabia region of Bavaria, in the municipality of Schwangau, above the incorporated village of Hohenschwangau, which is also the location of Hohenschwangau Castle. (The closest larger town is Füssen.) The castle stands above the narrow gorge of the Pöllat stream, east of the Alpsee and Schwansee lakes, close to the mouth of the Lech into Forggensee.
Despite the main residence of the Bavarian monarchs at the time (the Munich Residenz) being one of the most extensive palace complexes in the world, King Ludwig II of Bavaria felt the need to escape from the constraints he saw himself exposed to in Munich, and commissioned Neuschwanstein Palace on the remote northern edges of the Alps as a retreat but also in honor of composer Richard Wagner, whom he greatly admired.

+ Ludwig chose to pay for the palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing rather than Bavarian public funds. Construction began in 1869 but was never completed. The castle was intended to serve as a private residence for the king but he died in 1886, and it was opened to the public shortly after his death. Since then, more than 61 million people have visited Neuschwanstein Castle. More than 1.3 million people visit annually, with as many as 6,000 per day in the summer.

+ The inspiration for the construction of Neuschwanstein came from two journeys that Ludwig took in 1867: one in May to the reconstructed Wartburg near Eisenach, and another in July to the Château de Pierrefonds, which Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was transforming from a ruined castle into a historicist palace. Ludwig believed both buildings represented a Romanticist interpretation of the Middle Ages, as well as the musical mythology of his friend Wagner, whose operas Tannhäuser and Lohengrin had made a lasting impression on him.  In a letter to Richard Wagner in May 1868, Ludwig wrote: "It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin of Hohenschwangau near the Pöllat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles, and I must confess to you that I am looking forward very much to living there one day (in 3 years); ... you know the revered guest I would like to accommodate there; the location is one of the most beautiful to be found, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world."

+ In 1884, the King moved into the Pala. The palace was intended to serve King Ludwig II as a kind of inhabitable theatrical setting. As a temple of friendship, it was also dedicated to the life and work of Richard Wagner, who died in 1883 without visiting the building. In the end, Ludwig II lived in the palace for only 172 days.

In the city of Zurich, capital of canton Zurich, north-central Switzerland

 Culturally vibrant, efficiently run, and attractively set at the meeting of river and lake, Zurich has emerged as one of Central Europe's hippest destinations.

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(in north-central Switzerland), Zurich, the country's largest city, and the capital of the canton of Zurich, is found in an Alpine setting at the northwestern end of Lake Zurich, The city stretches out between two forested chains of hills, not far from the northern foothills of the Alps. Two rivers, the Limmat and Sihl, run through the city. Zurich’s western and northeastern limitations are formed by the Albis mountains, which include the 2,850-foot [870-meter] , considered the “top” of Zürich, with an idyllic view of the lake.

+ Permanently settled for more than 2,000 years, Zurich was founded by the Romans, who called it Turicum. In 1519, Zurich became a primary center of the Protestant Reformation in Europe.

+ Many museums and art galleries can be found in the city, including the Swiss National Museum and Kunsthaus. (Schauspielhaus Zürich is generally considered to be one of the most important theaters in the German-speaking world.) Zurich is home to many financial institutions and banking companies.

+ In 1218 Zurich became an imperial free city, and in 1351 it joined the Swiss Confederation, a coalition of cantons that were opposed to the Austrian Habsburgs. In 1336 the citizens accepted a constitution that, based democratically on the guild system, balanced the power of the various crafts, the trades, and the nobility. As the guilds became more powerful, the city was able to purchase its freedom from the emperor in 1400, and tax obligations were lifted. Zürich became embroiled in conflicts with neighboring territories, but economic growth continued relatively unimpeded. Staging repeated successful forays into the surrounding countryside, the city began controlling an even larger part of it; moreover, Zürich profited from being conveniently located on both the southbound trade route, centred on the St. Gotthard Pass, and the east-west route from the Rhône River to the Danube.

+ Napoleon’s occupation of Switzerland in 1798 ended the old political order, and Zurich was reorganized under the Helvetic Republic, which tried to form a unitary Swiss state. The disputes ended in 1803 when Napoleon mediated, and the canton of Zurich, dominated by the city, became a sovereign member of a new Swiss Confederation. The political rule exerted by the aristocratic ancien régime was replaced by a liberal democratic order by 1816.

+ Under the Swiss constitution of 1848, the autonomous cantons became federal states, each with its own constitution. The people of Zurich adopted a new constitution in 1869, which served as a model for other Swiss cities and influenced the revision of Switzerland’s national constitution in 1874.

+ In the mid-19th century the University of Zürich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology were founded. (Zürich also boasts a long line of Nobel Prize winners.)

At the Predjama Castle, built within a cave mouth in south-central Slovenia

 After the fall of the Roman Empire, Lombards settled in Carniola, followed by Slavs around the sixth century CE. As a part of the Holy Roman Empire, the area was successively ruled by Bavarian, Frankish and local nobility, and eventually by the Austrian Habsburgs almost continuously from 1335 to 1918,

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(in the historic region of Slovenia's Inner Carniola.) At Predjama Castle (Slovene:[Predjamski grad or grad Predjama], a castle built within a cave mouth in south- central Slovenia, This castle (shown here) is located in the village of Predjama) Just nine kilometers (~6 mi.) from Postojna Cave, the Renaissance-style Predjama Castle, is one of Slovenia’s most popular attractions. The castle is now a museum featuring an eerie dungeon, many 16th-century treasures, and a secret hiding spot called Erazem’s Nook, after Erazem Lueger -- Slovenia’s "Robin Hood," -- who hid out from the authorities here. Predjama is also one of Europe's most dramatic castles. (It teaches a clear lesson: if you want to build an impregnable fortification, put it in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a steep cliff.) Its four storeys were built piecemeal over the years from 1202, but most of what you see today is from the 16th century. (It looks to be quite unconquerable.)

+ An audioguide (available in 15 languages) details the site's highlights and history. The castle has great features for kids of any age – holes in the ceiling of the entrance tower for pouring boiling oil on intruders, a very dank dungeon, a 16th-century chest full of treasure (unearthed in the cellar in 1991), and an eerie hiding place at the top called Erazem's Nook, named for Erazem (Erasmus) Lueger.

+ Lueger was a 15th-century robber-baron who, like Robin Hood, stole from the rich to give to the poor. During the wars between the Hungarians and the Austrians, Erazem supported the former. He holed up in Predjama Castle and continued his daring deeds with the help of a secret passage that led out from behind the rock wall. In 1484 the Austrian army besieged the castle, but it did prove impregnable. Erazem mocked his attackers, even showering them with fresh cherries to prove his comfortable situation. But the Austrians had the last laugh -- finally hitting him with a cannonball as he sat on the toilet. (An ignoble fate for a dashing character.)

+,The cave below the castle is part of the Predjama cave system. It is open to visitors from May to September (but closed in winter so as not to disturb its colony of bats during their hibernation). Another adventure option is to visit the narrow Erazem's Passage, through which the besieged knight was connected with the outside world. (Joint tickets can be bought for the castle and Postojna Cave.)

+ In July and August, a handy shuttle-bus service runs between the cave and the castle; it is free for guests who buy a combined ticket for both attractions.

At The Royal Palace of La Almudaina, located in Palma, the capital city of the Island of Mallorca, Spain

 The Balearic Island group is one of Spain's archipelagos in the Mediterranean Sea.

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(on Mallorca, the largest of Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean) With its stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage, the island of Mallorca offers the combination of relaxation and exploration. (The island is home to some of southern Europe's most stunning beaches,)

+ To dive into the island's rich history, explore Palma, the capital city. Catedral de Mallorca, known as La Seu (depicted here) is a Gothic masterpiece dating back to the 14th century. (Nearby, you can also visit the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, a historic residence of the Mallorcan monarchy.)
+ Mallorca's strategic location on the Mediterranean led to the construction of numerous castles and forts. Bellver Castle, a circular fortress overlooking Palma, has unique architecture and panoramic views of the city and the sea. Further inland, the Castle of Capdepera, constructed in the 14th century, is another historical gem providing insights into Mallorca's medieval past. Mallorca is home to several monasteries and convents that offer a glimpse into the island's religious and cultural history.

+The museums on the island also provide insights into the history and culture of Mallorca. The Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Palma houses an impressive collection of art and offers beautiful views of the bay. The Museu de Mallorca also presents a comprehensive view of the island's history through its exhibits. In addition to art, it is filled with artifacts from throughout the island's history. Palma, on Mallorca, is truly a crowd-favorite destination, no doubt due its rich history, as well as a vibrant culture that attracts lots of tourists from all over the world. (Visitors must not miss visiting this city as it is regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean.)

+ Indeed, Palma is quite a stunner. Rising in honey-colored stone from the broad waters of the Badia de Palma Palma Bay), this enduring city dates back to the 13th-century Christian reconquest of the island, and to the Moors, Romans, and Talayotic people before that. A richly studded diadem of historical sites, Palma also shelters a seemingly endless array of galleries, restaurants, craft studios, and bars – it is without doubt Mallorca's greatest treasure. Wander in any direction from the awe-inspiring Gothic Catedral at its geographic and historical center and you will find medieval streets lined with aristocratic townhouses, looming baroque churches, teeming public squares, vibrant bohemian neighborhoods and markets overflowing with all the bounty of the island. (You could spend weeks in this city alone, and still uncover fresh joys nearly every day.)

+ Nearby, you can also visit the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, a historic residence of the Mallorcan monarchy. Mallorca's strategic location on the Mediterranean led to the construction of numerous castles and forts.

In the town of Clomar, in the Grand Est region of northeastern France

 Modern tourists know Colmar as the capital of Alsatian wine, an ultra-classy white variety.

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(in the Haut-Rhin department and Grand Est region of northeastern France) The town of Colmar looks as if it has been plucked from the pages of a medieval folk tale. At times the Route des Vins d’Alsace fools you into thinking it is 1454, and here, in the heart of the Old Town, the illusion is complete. Half-timbered houses in chalk-box colors crowd cobblestone lanes and bridge-laced canals, which have day-trippers wandering in a daze of neck-craning, photo-snapping, gasp-eliciting wonder.

+ Among the most quaint places in Europe, Colmar is known for its beautiful historic districts, which feature buildings that date back about a thousand years. Some museums feature toys, chocolates, and some serious pieces of historical information. All these attractions are complemented by beautiful natural scenery, given that this town is located 42 miles (68 km) south-southwest of Strasbourg, 10 miles west of the Rhine River, bordering the German frontier and a few miles east of the foothills of the Vosges mountains. It is also on the main railway from Strasbourg to Mulhouse and Basel, Switzerland.

+ The first mention of Colmar is found in a chronicle of the Saxon wars of Charlemagne, emperor of the West (from 800–814). In 1226 Colmar was raised to the status of an imperial town by the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II and was surrounded by defensive walls. Civil rights were granted to it by Rudolf of Habsburg in 1278. In 1632, during the Thirty Years’ War, it was occupied by Sweden. Louis XIII of France took the town under his protection in 1635; it was later annexed by France during 1648–78. (Colmar was twice annexed by Germany: from 1871 to 1919 and again during World War II.)

+ Colmar’s many fountains, ancient churches, and Alsatian Renaissance houses have made it a center of tourism. The Musée d’Unterlinden, formerly a convent, houses the 16th-century Isenheim Altarpiece, the masterwork of the German religious painter Matthias Grünewald. The home of the sculptor of New York City’s Statue of Liberty, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, who was born in Colmar in 1834, is a museum. The city adopted the Protestant Reformation in 1575, long after the northern neighbors of Strasbourg and Sélestat. During the Thirty Years' War, it was taken by the Swedish army in 1632, which held it for two years. In 1634, the Schoeman family arrived and started the first town library. In 1635, the city's harvest was spoiled by Imperialist forces while the residents shot at them from the walls. In 1854 a cholera epidemic killed many in the city. With the rest of Alsace, Colmar was annexed by the newly formed German Empire in 1871 as a result of the Franco-Prussian War and incorporated into the Alsace-Lorraine province. Though It returned to France after World War I, it was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940, and then reverted to French control after the battle of the "Colmar Pocket" in 1945.