Madrid is the capital of Spain and the third largest city in the European Union. It is also the fourth most visited city in Europe. In fact, the number of tourists who visits Madrid every year is more than the number of its population. The city is famous for its classical architecture, night life, and Museums. The best museum in Madrid is the Museo del Prado, with Spanish and foreign masterpieces from the 12th to the 19th century.

The Prado originated in a royal collection which was collected by the Habsburgs and the Bourbons. At present, the collection includes around 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, 1,000 sculptures, and 8,200 drawings, not including a large number of historic documents and other works of art. The Museum displays about 1,300 works in the main buildings, while around 3,100 works are on short-term loan to different museums and official institutions. The other collections are carefully stored. The sizable range of works of arts found in the museum makes a detailed description impossible. Furthermore, for a couple of years now, as a result of continuous renovation work, changes in the museum’s layout are always possible. A plan giving the exact location of individual works of art is not available. However, a complete guide called the “Key to the Prado” is offered.

Museo del Pardo is probably the best museum in Madrid

There are permanent and temporary exhibitions in Museo del Prado, and the works of Rubens, Goya and Murillo are amongst the masterpieces on display. The best known work on display is Las Meninas by Velázquez.  In addition, the museum is large and it houses a restaurant, café, and book shop inside. Guide books and audio guides are sold inside too.

Museo del Prado is open Tuesdays to Sundays and during public holidays except when it falls on Mondays. It is usually open from 9AM to 8PM. The regular entrance fee is €8.00 while entrance fee for non-EU students is €4.00. No entrance fee for visitors who are over 65 years old, EU students who are under 25, unemployed, disabled, teachers and official guides. Visiting the museum on Sundays is free. It is also free to enter on Official Day, Region of Madrid (May 2), International Museums Day (May 18), Hispanidad Day (October 12), and Constitution Day (December 6).

No other museum offers such a wonderful overview of Spanish paintings in Madrid as the Museo del Prado making it one of the most visited Madrid tourist attractions.

If you are looking for a place to have fun, then Norway is the place to be. Skiing is a popular sport in the country regarding Norway as its birthplace. It has a long tradition of superb cross-country skiing and other fun-filled winter activities. On months when daylight is limited, lights illuminate the tracks for winter skiers.

In Holmenkollen, Oslo, there is an incredibly-sized ski jumping hill called Holmenkollbakken. The hill is part of Holmenkollen National Arena, which consists of the cross-country and biathlon venues, and the Midtstubakken hill. It is also Norway’s chief Nordic skiing venue. It has a hill size of 134 and a construction point (K-spot) of 120 and can hold up to 30,000 people. Starting 2010, the present structure boasts of a 64-meter tall superstructure. The observation point, which is the topmost part of the structure, is 420 meters above sea level. Once on top, you can delight in the different breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. Moreover, the Holmenkollbakken is the first hill in the world with a permanent wind screen that is able to restrain 45-50 percent of the wind. The ski jump has undergone continuous improvements and has been rebuilt 19 times since its opening in 1892.

Holmenkollbakken

Ski jumping contests are held every year in Holmenkollbakken ever since it was opened. The Holmenkollen Ski Festival, which is a much awaited part of the world cup tournaments in ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and Biathlon World Cup races, is held here. It was also the venue of the 1952 Winter Olympics, and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1930, 1966, 1982 and more recently in 2011. Over 1,000,000 people go to Holmenkollen annually, making it the most visited tourist destination in Norway. The spectator record happened during the 1952 Winter Olympics when 101,400 people watched the jumping contest and an additional 40,000 filled the Gratishaugen hill. Holmenkollen is then considered one of the most popular winter sports arenas all over the world. Furthermore, the run-out is filled with water during summer, creating a beautiful 25-meter deep pond called Besserudtjern.

Even though cost of living in Norway is among the highest in the world, more and more people visit the country every year. This is due to the country’s magnificent tourist destinations where lots of exciting activities can be done.

While the whole of Finland is normally very well suited for cross-country skiing during the entirety of the winter months (even though it appears that the climate change has made this less certain), the best places for downhill skiing, such as the Levi Ski Resort, tend to be located in Northern Finland in the Lapland area. Levi is located about 130 kilometers north from the Arctic Circle, so you are going really far north indeed to see this ski resort that is the largest one in Finland. The wild and unspoilt nature of Lapland certainly gives this ski resort an exciting feel. In fact, if you are lucky, you might see the Northern Lights while you are there.

Levi has a total of 48 ski slopes, most of which are suitable for those with beginning or intermediate level downhill skiing skills. Four slopes, however, are for expert level skiers. Of course, the cross-country skiing possibilities are also plentiful in Levi.

Levi ski resort

Germans are known to be a nation that loves cars. Hence, Germany prides itself an excellent road network. Moving in and around Germany is easy. The country has different modes of transportation that enable people, especially tourists, to move to the different parts of the country conveniently.

Big cities feature amazing public transport systems. The most common mode of transportation in Germany is road transport. The country has an extensive and well-maintained network of roads that allows one to travel within the country. There are a lot of extremely comfortable and luxurious buses that takes tourists from one city to another. During the night, there is a network of night buses, apparently a cheaper alternative to taking a taxi. If you prefer driving a car, you can do so since there are a lot of car companies like Hertz and others that allow tourists to rent a car and drive on their own. Another common mode of transportation in Germany is the train. The rail network is superb and there are a large number of accessible high-speed trains. Whenever possible, taking the train is recommended over taking the bus which although cheaper is far less comfortable. Germany’s cities also encourage cyclists with designated bicycle lanes. Furthermore, one can also travel by air within Germany. It is the quickest way of moving from one part of the country to another. However, it is more expensive than the other modes of transportation. But due to a decline in prices with the introduction of low-fares airlines, domestic air travel is becoming more attractive.

However, almost all bigger cities suffer from a serious parking problem. Space is often expensive and scarce. One way streets and traffic jams often take place too. When driving on Germany’s motorways, drivers should also be aware of frequent tolls which can make the cost of the journey considerably higher. Despite all these, the different modes of transportation in Germany allow tourists to travel in and around the country in a comfortable and easier manner. They are efficient and their services are good.

One issue that is hard to avoid in using any public transportation is that traveling longer distances can take time and be a bit boring. But due to the advances in modern technology, you may easily find ways to entertain yourself during the trip. For example, you may play poker or watch movies with the help of a laptop or a tablet pc.

Villers Abbey is an old historical Cistercian abbey that is located not to far from the town of Villers-la-Ville that is in the Brabant province of Wallonia in Belgium. Villers Abbey is a special place that invokes a sense of history in the visitor who beholds it.

The Villers Abbey was founded in the 12th century by twelve Cistercian monks, and three other lay brothers who came from Clairvaux to build the abbey on land that was given to them by Gauthier de Marbais. The building work didn’t begin on this site until the 13th century with the choir being constructed in 1217, the crypt in 1240 and the refectory by 1267. The church took many years to erect and was not completed until the end of the 13th century.

The Villers Abbey was very important and famous for a long period of time. However, in the 16th century, decline set in when the church was damaged by Spanish tercios. Part of the church and cloister were replaced partially in 1587. History on the abbey itself was first written in the early part of the 17th century by Crisostomo Henriquez. The abbey was abandoned in 1796 with the onset of the French Revolution.

Villers Abbey ruins

The Villers Abbey today is a home to lots of different activities from guided visits that are based on certain themes to exhibitions to open-air concerts to activity days to family discovery walks. It is the perfect place that blends the past together with the future. Although a good deal of the site has fallen into ruins, what is left of the monastery is still a majestic and splendid sight.

Paris, the capital and largest city of France, is also among the world’s leading cultural and industrial centres. It is a city of events – celebrations, music, theatres, opera, art exhibitions, shows and concerts, photography and sculpture, classic and contemporary dance forms, fireworks and festive occasions of all types in the high-class Parisian style. Paris hosts and celebrates a number of events all round the year and has an influence on politics, arts, education, media, fashion and science, making it overall one of the world’s most significant cities.

Theatres in Paris have traditionally occupied the central place, and even today hold a crucial position in the society. It may be hard to believe but Paris has more than 100 theatres that offer you a wide range of programmes like classical drama, stand-up comedy, contemporary plays, and much more. The variety to choose from is famously vast when it comes to theatres.

Some of the famous theatres in Paris includ Bobino, The Cafe de la Gaite, Mogadore, and The Comedy Francaise, which are decades old and play a significant role in the Parisian culture.  Some of these legendary theatres have been converted into concert halls where people come and enjoy live shows, music and plays. They are also the favourite spots to celebrate festivals, film entertainment and several annual occasions. You can also enjoy ballet, opera, international orchestras and even Asian and European films in a wide range of theatres. Paris also has a huge network of small movie theatres where you can enjoy watching movies from as wide a selection as over 300 movies from all over the world within just one week. Some of the largest cinema theatres and concert halls in Paris have a capacity of more than 2000 seats. There is so much to see in this city that you must plan your holidays accordingly to enjoy Paris to the fullest.

Théâtre Mogador

If you have been looking for apartments for sale in Turkey, you are in luck. The time couldn’t be better to purchase a prime piece of real estate. Up until the past couple of years, the Turkish government took a tough stance on foreigners owning real estate in Turkey. However, the beautiful scenery that can be had there is perfect for owning a vacation property or villa, or to establish a permanent residence. The government has loosened up restrictions they once had in place because they have realized how much money can be made from tourists and real estate investors looking at apartments for sale in Turkey.

The time is now to invest in apartments for sale in Turkey because the market is relatively untapped, and has great tourist destinations in the area, along with beautiful scenery and lots of luxurious resources. More and more Europeans every year are starting to spend their holiday time in Turkey, thanks to them gaining entry into the EU. Because of this, real estate investors and regular tourists alike are investing heavily in apartments for sale in Turkey. There are a variety of apartments, houses and villas available for the picking. Tourists who purchase these properties use them when they need them, and then lease them out to others when they are vacant.

Now that we have covered why it’s a good idea to look into apartments for sale in Turkey, what are some good tourist destinations for you to visit, now that you can own some prime real estate in Turkey? For starters, Turkey is one of the most historical and religious countries in the world. The Cappadocia region is an excellent example of that. This is some of the best and most unique geography anywhere in the world. Near the center of Turkey, is the Cappdocian plateau. It was created by lava that flowed from two separate volcanoes many years ago. There are a number of valleys to be seen that offer a spectacular view.

Turkey is also surrounded by three seas, the Black sea, Mediterranean and Aegan. The beaches have some of the most clear blue sparkling water in the world. Olimpus Cove, Ananya, Akkum and Butterfly Valley all offer spectacular sightseeing and swimming opportunities for those interested in vacationing here and want to find quality apartments for sale in Turkey. Look no further than this region to own your dream vacation home!

In many ways, Budapest is a fascinating city. This capital city of Hungary may not initially sound quite as interesting as some other European capital cities, but to a large part, this can be attributed to ignorance about the city, as well as to a lack of knowledge about Hungary in general, as opposed to more well known countries like France, Italy and the UK. In order to really get to know the city of Budapest, you should set aside a substantial amount of time to spend there. One can get reasonably good hotel deals in Budapest if one takes some time to compare the options. Budapest’s history, combined with its present vibrancy, can make every day of your holiday spent in this city a worthwhile experience. Below we will highlight few of the more interesting attractions that Budapest offers for visitors.

The Royal Palace
Budapest’s Royal Palace is one of the more popular attractions of the city. It is also known as the Buda Castle, and it has had a rich history since it was first completed in the 1200s. It contains several buildings that would be worthwhile attractions on their own right, even if they didn’t belong to the palace complex. These include the National Gallery, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Matthias Church, etc.

The Franz Liszt Academy of Music
The Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest is famous both as the number one venue of musical education in Hungary and as Budapest’s most prestigious place for concerts. It was founded in 1875.

Budapest Parliament
The Parliament of Hungary is the world’s third largest Parliament building. With its stunning Neo-Gothic architectural style, it is definitely worth seeing. The Hungarian Crown Jewels can be seen during a guided tour inside the building.

Costa Brava in the northeastern Catalonia area is an interesting region to visit as a traveler. The name means “wild coast” in the local language. Since Costa Brava is located in the coastline area, it is not surprising that there are great beaches. In addition to the beaches, the rocky cliffs play a role in giving shape to the Costa Brava landscape. Being close to Barcelona is also a plus for many travelers.

Those who are looking for very cheap holidays and place an emphasis on maintaining size restrictions to their travel budget may have suspected a rise in the general price levels. In fact, many of the local restaurants and shops have raised their prices during recent years. One significant factor that accounts for this is that many Russians purchased villas in this area during the early 2000s. This also explains why one can now see more cars that look expensive.

Tossa de Mar
The town of Tossa de Mar is one of the attractions that Costa Brava tourists should consider visiting during their holiday. Parts of this town date to periods between 12th and 16th centuries. There are walls, towers, a lighthouse, etc. that remain from this period. Small museums will help the visitor to get the fuller picture about the history behind these remains. Many restaurants and hotels are available here, so the tourist can find appropriate places for rest and nourishment after wandering the cobblestoned streets and enjoying the fascinating feel of this town. Many think of the past of Tossa de Mar as primarily being a fishing village, but the evidence seems to suggest that agriculture has played the most significant part of the town’s economy prior to the arrival of tourism. Nevertheless, fishing is still a visible part of the identity of this town.

In the current economic situation, many people are struggling with their personal finances. Going on holiday can constitute a major expense in your budget, so it is worthwhile to think of various ways to save money. Here are some tips.

Compare the Prices
Comparing several options and their prices can be as easy as few mouse clicks, but as a result, you may well save significant amounts of money. So it is recommended that you check out a good holiday comparison site or two.

Book Early or Check Late
When you make the bookings several months (even almost a year) before the trip, you will have a better chance to find the cheaper options, as there will be much less of a chance for them to have been sold out. On the other hand, you may try to check just a few days beforehand if there are seats/hotel rooms that are still unoccupied. You may be able to get these for a lower price.

Try InterRail
InterRail isn’t just for students and young adults. If you are younger than 26, you will get the Interrail pass for a lower price, but any European resident who plans to travel extensively within the European railroad network may find this a good and affordable transportation solution.

Fly on Weekdays Rather Than Weekend
This isn’t always possible due to your schedule, but if you can arrange it, you may save a significant amount of money.