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The Kensington hotel does not have that kind of façade, a glitzy one that most of 5-stars hotels cling to. Before this hotel has been built, there was a Georgian building. Near Banglioni, one of the most priceless London hotels, you can find a cascading water feature with stone floors, a few vast gold vases and white roses which create the perfect entrance to a new world. Entrance for children is allowed, too.

Something from the Italian style has been added to the London life.From the hotel rooms, you can see the Kensington Gardens. It has more than 50 rooms, and decorated in an artistic way, musical and historical.

Another hotel where you can stay is the One Aldwych which is located exactly where the City meets the West End. The hotel has 105 luxurious, bedrooms today and suites. As well as the previous one, here you will find original art works, bespoke furniture and fresh fruit with flowers are being delivered every day to your room.

Charlotte Street Hotel

Charlotte Street Hotel is located in the north part of Soho. It takes you a few minutes to go from the Soho Square and the theatre district. You will definitely recognize it because it is surrounded by some of the most vibrant bars of London city, several cafes and restaurants. The drawing rooms of this hotel are in the spirit of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell artists. Matisse and some of the best French painters had a powerful influence over them.

The Halkin hotel predominates in many different lounges, libraries, drawing rooms, even private cinemas,

If you want to serve something then you have a small and handsome lobby and bar, or if you want to eat in a restaurant it is always available.

Covent Garden Hotel is a great, famous and luxurious hotel and also private in London. It is situated in the heart of the theatre district not so far to the Soho, Royal Opera House, and the British Museum.

When you’re in the magnificent country of France, the question is not what you should do, the question is what is there that’s not to do? It seems that the liberated air of Parisians is contagious, and all you want to do when you’re in Paris is to be as free and artistic and relaxed as any regular Parisian you meet on the street. Coffee in one hand and crepe in the other, what else is better than eating it al fresco in the cool Parisian morning breeze?

1.) The Louvre

First stop is almost always the most famous art museum in the history of France and probably the world, The Louvre. It houses some great artistic talents including the famously infamous Leonardo da Vinci. His Mona Lisa is still the top attraction, and that secretive, knowing smile of hers is always a must-see.

2.) The Eiffel Tour

Next on the list is, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It was once ridiculed by ancient artists as a monstrosity but is now regarded as one of Paris, France’s best works of art. Inside, you can get souvenirs, have your postcards stamped with the Eiffel Tower insignia and dine in their restaurants.

3.) French Riviera

Within its borders, you will find the famous tourist destinations Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez. Its beaches are so breathtaking and magnificent, and they are perfect for a romantic rendezvous. The scene also becomes a little wilder once the parties get rolling in the evenings.

4.) The Cathedral of Notre Dame

Victor Hugo’s famous book has this as the backdrop of his entire story where we all learned to love the brave and endearing hunchback. Famous for its stone architecture complete with towering religious icons, gothic design capturing different faces of gargoyles, the Notre Dame Cathedral shouldn’t be missed. As such, this place should always be in the itinerary of anyone visiting France.

5.) Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe

This was built in honor of the French military who fought alongside Napoleon, and this is one of France’s famous historic landmarks. Some say that if you don’t know your way around Paris, you could end up going around in circles in the Arc de Triomphe and never get out. They also say that you could get so confused which way to go because traffic is going around the arc.

6.) Disneyland

Paris, too, has a Disneyland of its own. It has the trademark rides, parades, fireworks display, and attractions all Disneyland theme parks are famous for. But, of course, there is still something that is uniquely France’s alone.

7.) Historic Normandy

Perhaps the most famous place in France when it comes to history is Normandy. Normandy has seen too many wars and fought too many battles for France. The most famous event here is the burning of Joan of Arc in 1431.

8.) Lourdes

The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the 19th century to Bernadette Soubirous have made this place a popular destination for pilgrims and devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As such, this place has also become a tourist destination. If you are a devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, then this place is for you.

9.) Musee d’Orsay

This magnificent museum of art found inside a railway station is a testimony of how much the French love and revere art. Because of this, they will impart this love to anyone and everyone who is interested. So, if you are an art lover, then head on to Musee d’Orsay.

10.) Vineyards

France is famous for its wine tours. You can take your pick from Alsace to Rhone Valley on which vineyards to visit where you can do a little wine tasting or perhaps even jump in and join grape harvesting. Truly a uniquely French experience

A small, interior country, located in Central Europe, the Czech Republic borders Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia. The Czech Republic has become a well-developed democratic country since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which was a non-violent overthrow of Communism.

Actually, tourism dates from the Velvet Revolution, and offers immense variety and delightful surprises for visitors. Known for its musicians, there are numerous concerts and festivals to choose from, as well as fairytale castles, historical churches, national parks, elegant spas, and medieval towns. Not only that, but it is the birthplace of the world’s finest beer.

The Czech Republic is comprised of two provinces, Bohemia, located in the west, and Moravia in the east. The place is accessible to all sorts of travel medium.

In the east, you will find Moravia. Its capital, Brno, dates from the 13th century, and attractions include the excellent Moravia Museum, as well as an Augustinian Monastery where the Father of Genetics, Gregor Mendel, was Abbot. Gothic arts, mummies and other historic work of arts are all around the cities churchespilberk Castle. In Moravia, wine is more popular than beer, and you will find a rich agricultural heritage, with rolling ranges, wooded hills, and a plethora of vineyards.

To the west is Bohemia. Besides Prague, the Czech capital, tourists enjoy the spa towns and ski resorts. Here you will also find medieval towns like Èeský Krumlov, and the Šumava Mountains offer excellent hiking as well as a wide range of other sports. Southern Bohemia is very popular for its numerous recreational facilities and points of interest, not to mention beautiful lakes and woods. It’s also famed for its caves.

Ceské Budejovice , or Budweis in English, founded its wealth on silver mines, and is home to one of Europe’s largest town squares. However, the local beer is this town’s main claim to fame. The Pivovar Budejovický Budvar, or Budweiser Budvar Brewery, was founded in 1895, and markets its beer under the Budweiser brand name in much of Europe. The American, Anheuser-Busch, has attempted to buy out the Czech brewing company so it can secure global rights to the Budweiser name, but the Czechs refuse all offers, believing it is a matter of national pride to retain this rich heritage.

Certainly, no trip to the Czech Republic would be complete without visiting Prague, its capital. Located in the middle of Bohemia, Prague is known for its museums, galleries, concerts, and imposing castles. Since the fall of Communism, Prague has regained its café culture, and is now considered the Paris of the East.

South of Prague you will find Plzen, the second-largest city in Bohemia. With its eclectic architecture, ranging from Gothic to Art Nouveau, museums and galleries, it is another popular tourist attraction. Also, do not miss the Plzenský Prazdroj brewery, where beer has been brewed since the town’s foundation, in 1295. The Pilsner beer is world-famous, and actually gives rise to the name of this quaint little town.

According to a research carried out by Expedia, one of the most important online tour operators, Rome has been the Italian city that best managed the tourism drop-off during the black biennium (2008-2009). The credit of this result goes to the differentiation of the touristic offer, with suitable solutions for both pilgrims and fashion-victims, and to the wide range of accommodations succeeding in meeting everyone’s needs: from youth hostels to central apartments, from budget hotels to country villas.

A deep analysis of the data collected by Expedia shows that in the last two years Rome has been the choice of Italian visitors all over the year and, therefore, the most important touristic market nation-wide. Moreover, in 2008 Rome has been one of the few European capital cities, along with London and Vienna, that registered an increase in the tourist turnout, although it is still far from many destinations of the old and the new continent, appearing in the top travel destinations. In particular, New York was, at the end of 2009, the favourite destination for Italian people: a clear sign of the dollar weakness, as already happened in London, where a great number of Italians were attracted by a weak pound. After New York and London, this year Italians chose to spend their Christmas holidays in Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Miami, Amsterdam, Vienna and, eventually, Rome, at the 11th place. However, if we consider only the Italian market, Rome is the most popular city by far: if you plan to spend your holidays there, make sure you book an apartment or an hotel for New Year’s Eve in adequate advance.

If compared to other Italian cities, Rome had positive results not only during Christmas time, but also during summer and spring holidays. The favourite destinations of summer 2009 were, besides classic seaside resorts (Spain and Greece in Europe, Sicily in Italy), London the omnipresent and other European cities, such as Stockholm, Copenhagen and Rome, which registered an increase in reservations in comparison to 2008. During Easter holidays and the 1st of May, in spite of the tourist drop-off of in art cities to the good of small villages, Rome entered the chart, along with Venice during Easter, Florence and Modena on the 1st of May.

As mentioned above, there is a number of reasons explaining the success of The Eternal City as a tourist destination, and the most of them are easy to understand. On the one hand, Rome is a wonderful art city, marked on the maps of the religious tourism. On the other, it is a metropolis rich in events and sites to visit, considered one of the most important fashion districts in the world. However, Rome would not be such a popular destination without the wide range of accommodations offered to visitors: a hostel for young people, maybe attending to the concert of the 1st of May, a cheap apartment or an hotel for families, a simple but cosy room in a bed & breakfast or even a prestigious country villa, if you cannot give up the luxury.

Located in the southern part of the Europe, Albania is considered to be one of the most interesting tourist destinations. It is a place where you can get the glimpse of some of the finest aspects of Europe’s culture, history, tradition and beauty. As compared to other European countries, Albania has yet not seen much of economic development; owing to this, the country’s rustic aura is still intact. This aspect makes Albania an attractive place to visit and explore.

There are plenty of low-cost and budget flights available for Albania from UK. Several websites on the internet allow you to make comparisons between various flights available for Albania. Check out these sites to get the lowest possible rates. All flights land at the Mother Teresa International Airport, at Tirana, the capital of Albania.

In 1990, Albania opened up its doors to the world and with time it has become an important tourist destination in Europe. It is absolutely a safe haven for vacationers. However, before you proceed with your bookings, it is essential to look into some excellent travel tips for Albania, which will make getting around really easy.

The locals know English language quite well; therefore English-speaking people do not face any problems while getting around. Nevertheless, if you know a bit of Italian, in addition to English, getting around gets even better.

Good, reasonably-priced hotels are easily available in all the major cities of Albania. With a little search, you can get a decent, clean accommodation in a price as low as 15 Euros. In currency exchange, US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted. Euros and Dollar have large value in compare to Albanian currency. The food here has Turkish influence; the traditional Albanian meal, which is quite cheap and filling, has soup, shish kebabs and meat. This is followed by ice-cream or a cup of hot coffee.

Albania, on the whole, is very safe to travel. However, the northern part of the country, near Kosovo, has landmines, which have not yet been cleared. Hence, if you plan to travel to this part, it is advisable to take a local guide along with you.

Albanians are very hospitable, but at the same time they are also very traditional and religious by nature. Therefore, it is essential to follows certain norms in Albania. For instance, exchange greetings respectfully, do not offend the locals by discussing topics like politics, religion and personal preferences. Lastly, women should dress in modesty. With the above superlative travel tips, you can not only enjoy the beauty of this untouched land, but you can also fully explore and relish the local culture and traditions. At the end of your vacations in Albania, you will take back the fond memories of the time well-spent.

The al-gharb, “the West” is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, incorporating, amongst others, the cities of Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, Olh�o, Tavira, Portim�o and Silves. In 1807, when Junot was leading the first Napoleonic invasion in the north of Portugal, the Algarve was occupied by the Spanish troops of Manuel Godoy. The Algarve is hilly, but traversed with rich valleys. The maximum temperatures in the Algarve fluctuate between 15 and 38 �C, with the temperature never falling below zero in the winter months. The coastline is notable for picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, particularly around Lagos, which are accessible by powerboat.

Over the past 50 years the Algarve has seen an increase in development, particularly from non-Portuguese developers. The Algarve is a popular destination for tourism, primarily because of its beaches, Mediterranean climate, safety and relatively low costs. The Algarve is also host to the annual Algarve Cup invitational tournament for national teams in women’s football. The region’s administrative centre is the city of Faro, which has its own international airport (Faro Airport) and public university (University of the Algarve). It has since become a common destination for the Germans and the Dutch.

In addition to the natural beauties and plenty of beaches, the Algarve has invested in the creation of a network of golf courses. Faro, which the Christian residents had called Santa Maria, was renamed Faraon, which means “the settlement of the Knights”. The Algarve became the first part of Portugal to liberate itself from Spanish occupation, in the rebellion of Olh�o in 1808. In the 15th century, Henry the Navigator based himself in Sagres and conducted various maritime expeditions which established Portugal as a colonial power. The Algarve region is divided into 16 municipalities:

Praia da Marinha, Lagoa was classified as one of the 100 most beautiful and well preserved beaches of the world. The summer months see high temperatures that attract beach-goers and sun-lovers from around the world. In the mid-12th century, the Moorish occupation ended: the “Al-Gharb” has been since then the kingdom of Algarve. When the Moors conquered Lagos in 716 it was called Zawaia. The Algarve was a semi-autonomous area with a governor from 1595 to 1808, as well as a separate taxation system until the end of the 18th century.

The Carthaginians founded Portus Hanibalis which is known today as Portim�o in circa 550 BC. Many years ago, to reflect the Algarve’s unique status, Portuguese monarchs were known as “King of Portugal and The Algarves”. There are Algarve-based English-written publications and newspapers specifically addressed to this community. The Portugal News being the most popular. When the Moors conquered Lagos in 716 it was called Zawaia. Its highest point is the mountain range of Monchique, with a maximum altitude of 906m (Peak of the F�ia).

For a country that encompasses an area of over 10.5 million square miles, it is no coincidence most people know very little about Russia, aside, of course, from textbook blurbs of Tsarist rule, Mongolian raids, bloody revolutions and snowy, desolate Steppes. The mere expanse of the Russian border makes the country a more versatile destination than any other place in the world. Visit the arctic zone and navigate through sub-tropical regions without ever leaving the country! A closer look and a few tips can subdue your fear and pique your interest to travel to Russia.

Western Russia: Travel to Russia’s Heart and Soul

Western Russia includes Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) and the Black and Caspian Seas, making this region the commercial and political core of the nation. Initially the capital of Russia, St. Petersburg was built by Peter the Great and is filled with both haunting and enchanting remnants of a time past. St. Petersburg is certainly the most European and best preserved city, adorned with stately architecture and regal cathedrals that echo of a romantic and prestigious era. In the early 20th century, the capital moved away from the European border to Moscow where the Kremlin, Red Square and Lenin’s Mausoleum (where you can view his embalmed body!) stand as testaments to Russia’s rocky history. In the Southwest, Volgograd is traditionally accepted as the origin of the Russian Empire and was fortified in the 1500s to protect tsarist Russia’s southern border from Cossack and Viking pillages. With these bases covered, leave the crowds behind and head east into a land with a history all its own.

Travel Russia from Europe to Asia

There is nothing quite like seeing six thousand miles of land in a single trip. The epic journey aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway is for those who consider the journey to be just as magical as the destination. The longest continuous rail line on the planet takes you from metropolitan Moscow through vast steppes and the Siberian taiga, the largest remaining forest in the world, to finally arrive in the commercial bustle of Russia’s main Pacific port city, Vladivostok. Three alternate routes and several extensions into European and Asian nations have also been constructed and provide more options to travel Russia’s breadth.

Many travel restrictions have been lifted since the 1990s and it is now possible to arrange overnight stays in many of the fascinating towns and breathtaking landscapes along the way. Make sure to spend a moment in the Siberian town of Ulan Ude, Russia’s main Buddhist center, and visit the Tibetan Buddhist monastery that has been restored since the oppressive rule of Stalin. The Baikal Lake region is also a very popular stop and a perfect place to be immersed in the natural beauty of Russia’s heartland. Baikal Lake is the oldest in the world, estimated at 25-30 million years old. The lake region is home to over 2,500 animal species including a unique Siberian species of freshwater seal and thousands of migratory birds.

Accessibility is the new attitude toward foreign tourism in Russia. A society that has long been closed-off, particularly to westerners, is now ready to embrace curious visitors with open arms. There has never been a better time to travel Russia

About the country

One of the Europe’s smallest sovereign states is The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The north part of the country is blessed with greenery and hills. The Ardennes provides great scenic view. The country is small and all the tourist attractions are within reachable limits. It snows during the winters in Luxembourg, but isn’t as cold as its neighboring countries and the summer is warm which comes in May and lasts till September. Incase of emergency dial 112 or 113.

Culture

Generally handshake is used to greet people. Although majority of the locals speak English, Letzeburgesch is the national language of Luxembourg. French and German is also spoken by many Luxembourgers. When appearing as a guest at someone’s house, it is a good practice to bring along gift or flowers. People are expected to dress in smart casuals, but it would be best to turn up in formals when attending social functions, or clubs. It’s not advised to smoke in public places.

Shopping

Crystals and porcelains of Villeroy and Boch are very famous and the earthenware pottery from Nospelt is a shopper’s must have item from Luxembourg. VAT of 15% is applied to all items purchased other than that from campground, hotel, and restaurant, which charge 3%. Tipping is exempted.

Site Seeing

The capital, Luxembourg is a place to be. Stay for a day or tea to explore the city. Village of Viaden has a cliff top castle which is a famous landmark.

Taxis can be hired to move around the city. They charge 10% extra from 10 pm to 6 am and if hired on Sunday, an extra 25% extra will be charged if hired for the whole day.
Accommodations

Luxembourg has many luxurious hotels, most of which are located in Lux City. Other options are guesthouses which are beautifully decorated with flower and plants.

Travel

The national airline which operates here is Luxair. There are flights from London to Luxembourg every hour. The Luxembourg airport is at a distance of 5km from the city and it takes about 20 minutes to reach there. There are provisions such as duty free shops, bank, tourism information and car hire for the passengers.
Eurostar provides a fast railway service from London, Paris, Belgium, France or Brussels to Luxembourg. Bookings can be made via telephone and £5 fee is charged for telephonic booking. Check out for offers which are provided on some of the routes. To travel within the country, Inter-Rail pass can be bought which gives the offer of unlimited train travel for 29 countries of Europe.

When driving on road, it is recommended to take the train or ferry service when passing the channel between Dover and Calais. Check out for vacancy before hand especially during the rush hours. While driving, drivers should stay on the right side and there are strict rules for drinking while driving and seat belt.

Albania is a mountainous country and the one of the smallest countries of Europe. The residents supposedly descended from ancient Illyrians.

Culture

The culture of Albania is majorly influenced by that of the mainland Greeks especially in the urban locality; nodding one’s head means ‘no’ where as shaking the head means ‘yes’. To greet someone, handshaking is preferred, though Shoku (Comrade) was used before, which has been long forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suits are meant for the beaches, otherwise women are expected not to dress in a revealing outfit. When addressing someone prefix Zoti(Mr) or Zonja(Mrs) before the name and always remember to carry some gifts when visiting someone, although flowers aren’t much acceptable. The guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers don’t have to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travelling within the country

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities of the country or taxis are another choice which provided service for some main hotels.
Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Ekspres Cable car for an unforgettable 15 minute ride passing through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. The route is about 4.2 km long and the ride costs €6.5.Alpha Yachting provides crewed yacht which is a luxury in itself. Tirana Bank is the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always sufficiently heated, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during winters. Foreigners are charged more than the locals. Both the entry fees as well as any merchandise will be on a higher scale, so it’s better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana which is an amazing site for not just canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star ambience, try The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is situated in the middle of a shopping and entertainment center. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with the comfort, one can shop at once convenience here. Another hotel which provides all modern facilities is Hotel Mondial. It is located 1000 m away from the city and is also a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and the easiest means is to go by air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline which works in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides service to almost all the big European cities. The airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 km away from the capital. A tourist bus is available every 3 hrs to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available round the clock. While waiting for any transport service, tourists can check out the duty free shops, bank, eateries and car hire at the airport. A departure tax of $10 USD is imposed on all foreign nationals. Check out www.flyalbanian .com for flight times and offers.

If trying to get there by sea, try the ferry services which are provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. The main ports are Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari, and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari). Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Bus is another option. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in a private car, there is road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of the political tensions within the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated areas. There is a network of 18,000 km, out of which only 7450 km are main roads, for local travelers. About 2138km stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has pot holes, and utmost safety precautions should be taken when driving on such roads. Speed limit should be strictly followed on highways as well as within towns. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of street lights on the road except for urban areas. Traffic should drive on the right-hand. There is a shortage of gas stations in the countryside, so filling the gas tank completely when passing through urban area is recommended and since there is lack of national recovery system; travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One should carry necessary documents like International Driving Permit and national driving license.

For The Kids, Paris, France
If you’re looking for destinations in Europe, Paris should be near the top of the list.
Like any trip, be sure to plan ahead.  September is the busiest month for tourism in Paris, so book your hotel room well in advance.  You can visit after September, of course, but if you do, pack extra raincoats and umbrellas, because you will definitely get rained on.
Upon arrival, kids with any sense of Europe are going to want to see three very important sites.
First, the Eiffel Tower.  Hated when it was built as an ugly monstrosity, it’s now one of the most famous landmarks in the world.  There are four lines to get onto the tower, so look for the shortest one.  Don’t be afraid to haggle over souvenirs underneath it, and make sure to go to the top of the tower at least once.
Second, thanks to Victor Hugo (and Disney’s) famous Hunchback, don’t miss Notre Dame Cathedral, where Napoleon took the crown out of the Pope’s hands and crowned himself.  If you don’t mind a bit of a wait and a climb up 386 stairs, the view from the bell tower is worth it.
And third, the Mona Lisa.  This will require a visit to the Louvre, which is like visiting another city inside Paris.  Fortunately, like all of the museums in Paris, anyone under the age of 18 gets into the Louvre for free.  Buy your tickets online, to avoid a long wait outside the museum (or, if you didn’t get the chance to do that, use the underground entrance in the shopping mall.  That’s where you’ll find shortest line).
It’s easy to get lost in the Louvre, because the museum is huge.  You’ll never see the whole thing in one visit, so don’t even try.  Just follow the signs to the most famous exhibits, like the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, and enjoy the sights along the way.