Top Countries
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Ireland
Ireland, `the Emerald Isle`, offers some of the most beautiful landscapes and views in the entire world, from castles in ruins in verdant valleys to rocky cliffsides overlooking the Atlantic. It is a country that is fiercely proud of its native language and culture, and venturing outside the major cities, you will be able to view a more rural experience. This is most popularly achieved by driving the 111-mile Ring of Kerry in the western part of the country, or visiting the charming Gaeltacht where Irish is only spoken. But definitely do not discount the cities, home to charm, history, and great landmarks, such as the cosmpolitan capital of Dublin, and large cities such as Limerick and Cork.
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Italy
For centuries Italy has drawn foreign visitors - mostly for its architectural, artistic, and scenic splendors. Italy can truly be all things to all people. From the passion and excitement of noisy urban crowds to the quiet, rural idyll where the traditional life can be experienced. Italy's great cities are replete with rich attractions and culture alongside some of the most pristine beaches and spectacular mountains in the world.
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Spain
Spain is one of the most popular countries in the world for tourists, and the experiences you can have while on vacation here can be just as varied as you are. The best way to experience Spanish life today is to visit one of its largest cities, such as Madrid, the country`s capital; Barcelona, its second city; and provincial capitals such as Seville and Valencia. Andalucia, the epicenter of Moorish rule in Spain, is known for its beautiful landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alhambra. The north of the country features such varying experiences as Catholic pilgrimages in Galicia, skiing in the Pyrenees, and immersing yourself in the culture of the gorgeous Basque Country. For beach vacations, Spain is tops, from the Costa del Sol to the Balearic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca to the Canary Islands.
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France
France remains one of the worlds most talked-about and written-about destinations. Whether the romance of Paris sweeps you off your feet or you fall gently for the relaxed life of Provence, France is a place for lovers, and will leave you spellbound. Paris is undoubtedly one of the world's great cities, with enough monuments, museums, restaurants, theatres and shows to last a lifetime. The northern provinces of Normandy and Brittany are steeped in history while the Loire Valley is world famous for its châteaux. And there is more to explore.
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Germany
Germany's landscape is straight from the Fairy tales: castles, deep dark forests and mythical rivers. The German landscapes are extraordinarily diverse, with graceful big-city appeal, small picture-postcard towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a wealth of art and culture, and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts of forest, delightful castles and fine wine and beer. From Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire to the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, no other nation has molded Europe the way Germany has - for better or worse.
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Portugal
Thousands of years of history are on full display in vibrant Portugal, fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in western Europe. Each region of Portugal offers something unique to the traveler, like unparalleled beaches and resorts in the Algarve; rolling plains that lead to mountains in the Alentejo; delicious food and drink in the Minho and the Douro River Valley; and of course the country`s bustling capital, Lisbon, which boasts the best of everything that Portugal has to offer, from restaurants to historical landmarks.
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Scotland
A vacation to the isle of Britain would be incomplete without stopping in Scotland. Edinburgh and Glasgow are some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the United Kingdom, set in an urban landscape with many historic buildings dating from the Victorian era and even earlier, impressive considering Scotland was not spared from the Blitz of World War II. Further afield, rivers flow through beautiful valleys that reach the peaks of the Highlands, an area with its own authentic cultural traditions. Whether you are in mainland Scotland or on one of the offshore islands, this nation offers so many charming experiences for the traveler, from fairytale castles to abbeys in ruins to picturesque villages.
