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See Edinburgh Attractions on European Vacations

Your European vacations cannot go wrong with a visit to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland since the 15th century. Edinburgh is divided into two main areas: the medieval fortress of Old Town and the New Town with its neoclassical influence that has become a blueprint for European urban planning since the 18th century. Stretching across a ridge from the Castle to the Palace of Holyrood is the medieval Old Town. It includes many 16th and 17th century houses of nobles and merchants, distinct tenement buildings, and significant early public buildings such as the St. Giles Cathedral and Canongate Tolbooth. To the north of the Old Town are seven new towns built from 1767 to 1890 that comprise what is now known as the Georgian New Town. Taking advantage of its lush topography, neoclassical buildings in New Town are decorated with beautiful gardens. In the Age of Enlightenment it was a major center of thought and learning, and today continues its cultural and political links with mainland Europe. Because of the unique and surprisingly harmonious juxtaposition of old and new, Edinburgh has been granted the status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Honeymoon European Vacations to Monaco

The fairy-tale setting of Monaco is a top destination of choice for honeymooners on European vacations. The Principality of Monaco is less than two square miles, but is definitely not short on elegant offerings -- the royal House of Grimaldi, the Paris Opera House, and the Monaco Grand Casino which is lavishly decorated with baroque-style rococo turrets, verdigris cupolas, and golden chandeliers. Overlooking the vast Mediterranean Sea, this tiny city-state is an excellent harbor for the world's most luxurious yachts. A great architectural find, the Old Town has buildings that date back to the medieval times. Narrow walkways and vaulted passageways branch off from the main streets. His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III fell in love with the late Grace Kelly in the Prince's Palace within the Rock quarter. For the heady fragrance of over 7,000 types of flowers, visit the Jardin Exotique where the exquisite Princess Grace Rose Garden continues to flourish.

Admire Beautiful Budapest on European Vacations

An important city to visit on European vacations is Budapest. From its communist roots, Budapest from 1989 onwards has flourished to become tourist-friendly. As you walk out your hotel from the Pest side, spot The Citadel on the Buda side of the river and make this towering structure your reference point when seeing the sights of the city. On its pinnacle you will have great views of the entire city. Relive the past with a visit to the cannon-ball-lined fort from the 19th century and the inspiring structure that is the Liberation Monument on Gellrt Hill which marks the Soviet liberation of Hungary from Nazi forces during World War II. In Budas Castle District is where you can visit the Hungarian National Gallery, the Mathias Church that was formerly reserved for marriages of royal couples and is now open to all, and the Fishermans Bastion, a fairy-tale setting where couples marry and take memorable wedding photos on the Lookout Terrace. After all that excitement, a Danube cruise at sunset would be the perfect way to wind down.

Explore Stockholm on European Vacations

Stockholm settlers in Gamla Stan, the Old City, had been in the area since the establishment of the city more than 750 years ago. As early as 1252, pillaging raids abounded in the winding medieval alleyways, small town squares, ancient churches and of course, the Royal Palace. Today, the horses and donkeys with carriages have been replaced by dozens of bus tours carrying tourists from around the world. For a more relaxing tour of the city, try to avoid the main boulevards and stick to exploring the quaint side streets during your European vacations. Celebrate how far the country has gone by visiting the Stadshuset, the City Hall. Stadshuset is Stockholm's most prominent landmark and one of the most important too, as it hosts the Nobel Prize banquet every year. Other must-see attractions in Stockholm include the 10,000-pipe organ, the inspiring Golden Hall where Swedish history is depicted by 18 million gold leaf pieces on wall mosaics, and the Council Chamber which looks like an open roof of a Viking longhouse.