Lisbon
Lisbon is a diverse and outrageously enjoyable city that demands a look. It is already a very popular tourist destination, but it will no doubt continue to have an increasing amount of visitors as the years go by. It is not a quiet town, but it is not as sprawling or congested as some of the neighboring capitals. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, and with a population that hovers right around one million, most of the other famous European cities are much larger. This is just fine with the citizens of Lisbon, who prefer their city remain somewhat secluded and protected. This is one of those places to which you must be sure to bring all of your high performance photography gear. But even if you aren't a seasoned shutterbug, buy a disposable camera and snap as many shots as you can! The landscape, horizon, and glorious sunsets here are unparalleled, and the unique architecture will not be seen anywhere else on earth. Even the cobblestone streets are remarkable, built on hillsides, making for a roller coaster-like view of the city or the river at any given time.
In 1755, an earthquake and tidal wave completely destroyed the city, and after that a complex of parallel streets was constructed in between the two main squares. The Alfama is a Moorish sector that is found to the east of Lisbon, and Bairro Alto is located to the west. Lisbon is full of tremendous sights and a fantastic array of top-notch museums. The squares are ideal locations for picnicking and people watching. The weather here is excellent, with hot summers, warm springs and autumns, and cool winters. The more time you spend in Lisbon, the more you will fall in love with it, so keep that picture of the kids handy to remind you of home or you may never want to leave!
Gibraltar
The British colony of Gibraltar, known throughout the world as The Rock, is one of the most picturesque locations in the world. The importance of Gibraltar's geographic position, guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, has been realized since ancient times, and throughout the millennia The Rock has been the site of countless battles for its control.
The Moors seized Gibraltar in 711, and their conquest of Spain soon followed. In fact, Gibraltar is named after the commander of the Moors, Jebel Tariq, which loosely translates to Jewel's Rock. The Moors controlled Gibraltar for over 700 years, until Spain retook possession in 1462. Spanish rule over this important strip of land lasted until 1704, and in 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht officially granted the land to the United Kingdom. To this day, Gibraltar remains a colony of Britain. The pound is the official currency, and Elizabeth II reigns supreme, much to the dismay of Spain.
Today, Gibraltar is a top tourist destination, and the gateway for European travelers who wish to make the 14km journey to the African mainland. A trip to the summit of The Rock is spectacular, as are visits to the Gibraltar Museum, St. Michael's Caves, and the Moorish Castle. The city is not particularly known for its shopping and nightlife, but great duty-free deals can be found on Main Street, and an evening stroll down this pedestrian thoroughfare is a delightfully romantic way to end the day in this historic stretch of land.
St. Tropez
St. Tropez has come to define the French Riviera. The world's wealthiest and most eccentric flock here in the summer time. Some travel by yacht and others arrive by jet, and all come to enjoy a season-long party, before departing to let the small town recover again in time for next year.
It wasn't always like this. St. Tropez used to be an important French naval base, with its port overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its beauty did not go unnoticed however, with artists like Signac and Matisse and writers like Guy de Maupassant showcasing the city's beauty. The world finally caught on in the 1950?s when a young French actress named Brigitte Bardot captivated the world's imagination when her film, And God Created Woman, was shot here. From that moment on, the city was transformed from a quiet Mediterranean city into a Riviera hot spot, and everyone wanted to go to St. Tropez.
St. Tropez's beaches are still legendary today. Aerosmith wrote of taking a Permanent Vacation here, and one-name celebrities like Jack, Oprah, Barbara, and Elton have been spotted in recent years. Of course, you don't have to be a star to enjoy St. Tropez's fine restaurants and hip nightclubs. St. Tropez is everything that you have imagined the French Riviera to be ? and more.
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