Top Countries
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Austria
Austria is epitomized by green glacial valleys and snow-capped peaks - and the wooden picture postcard chalets. Nonetheless, visitors have much to explore from the stylish capital, Vienna, to the baroque splendor of Salzburg. Austria's mountain landscape is undoubtedly its biggest draw for tourists. Although a year-round destination, there is a definite seasonal split in visitors. Summer is best for exploring the countryside on the many mountain trails that snake through the Austrian Alps and the lowlands, while the ski season kicks off in December, attracting winter sports fans from all over the world.
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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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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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Switzerland
Switzerland is a pristine country of lakes, mountains and forests. The best known of the continent`s mountain ranges, the Alpine chain, runs through most of Switzerland and provides the majority of the country`s magnificent natural sights. In the summer, towns such as Interlaken become green mountain centers for walking and mountaineering, and there are few places more naturally beautiful in the whole of Europe. Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Lucerne are models of Swiss efficiency, offering a wealth of perfectly serene history. Less busy are the lakeside resorts, including fashionable Montreux on Lake Geneva.
