Barcelona
Barcelona has always been a prosperous city , thanks to an exquisite harbor, fertile soil, and a population of hard working, caring citizens. This great city was a strong, incredibly diverse region when Madrid was still a fledgling town with basically no landmarks or significance. The numerous Mediterranean empires that had at one time or another conquered the area brought tremendous influences, much more so than the Iberian presence to the west. Barcelona was most influenced by Rome, Carthage, and France during the Charlemagne era.
The monuments of Barcelona open a book into the rich history of the area. These include the intricate and beautiful Gothic Quarter from the medieval times, the series of Catalan art nouveau, and the surreal artwork of Picasso and Miro. But if you are searching for a little excitement and outdoor fun to mix in with your education and culture, look no further than Barcelona.
In 1992, Barcelona was given a huge boost by serving as home to the Summer Olympic Games. This race to the 21st century was quite beneficial to Barcelona and the neighboring areas, and the restructuring program that became everyone's focus was given the name Post Olympic. As a result of all of this hard work and dedication, Barcelona has recently developed into one of the premier port cities in all of Europe. There are so many fascinating sights and wonderful events; you will be awed by your choices and so much to do. Extraordinary museums and landmarks can be found everywhere in this ancient city with a rich heritage and culture. The Museu Picasso is one of the greatest art exhibits anywhere, and through the center of the old quarter of Barcelona is the gorgeous tree-lined promenade, a visual splendor. The nightlife is truly something, and the shopping is fantastic.
Palma De Mallorca
Palma De Mallorca is located on Majorca, in the Balearic Islands, just miles away from Ibiza. It is 130 miles from Barcelona and its coastline is 310 miles long, making it the longest island in the Balearic archipelago. You will be amazed that this single island could be home to so many great sights and wonders. While Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville get all the headlines, Palma De Mallorca sits quietly and contently off the coast of Spain.
The cathedrals and historical sites in Palma De Mallorca are amazing, and the scenery is picturesque. Like many others in Spain, this city is quite old and venerable, and the heritage and culture of the region is still very much alive. You will be constantly reminded in Palma De Mallorca that you are in ancient and historic land.
The tourist facilities and beaches in Palma de Mallorca are magnificent, and the diversity of the island is fantastic to observe. From secret mountain villages to small harbors, Majorca truly does have it all. The waters are warm, and the air comfortable between June and October. Come December and January, watch out, because this region is characterized as being subtropical, and only those used to swimming in very cold waters would dare brave the sea off Palma De Mallorca during these times.
Overall, Palma De Mallorca and the surrounding areas offer remarkably diverse and entertaining environments that are sure to boggle your mind and capture your heart. The area is so beautiful and inviting that it is hard to leave Palma De Mallorca and go back to wherever it was that you came from.
Marseilles
Marseille is France's second largest city, but it often goes unnoticed and unvisited by travelers who choose to spend their time in France either in Paris or along the sunny beaches of St. Tropez, Cannes, and Nice. They are missing out on one of France's most diverse cities, both in terms of people and activities.
Marseille has a fascinating history. Founded by the Phoenicians in the sixth century BC, Marseille has long been one of the more important port cities in the world. During the Middle Ages, the city was a focal point of the Crusades, as access to Marseille's port was an important stop on the way to the Holy Land. During the reign of the French monarchy, its strategic importance was reemphasized as a military stronghold. Even today, Marseille's port is the second busiest in all of Europe, trailing only Rotterdam.
A famous local legend revolves around Les Trois Maries, or The Three Marys. St. Lazarus awoke the three saints, including Mary Magdalene, and brought them ashore in Marseille, in order to Christianize the area. More recently, an army of French volunteers from Marseille marched to Paris during the French Revolution. Their battle song, La Marseillaise, became the country's national anthem. (If you're having a problem remembering how it goes, think of the opening notes of the Beatles classic, All You Need Is Love.)
Today, Marseille faces the same problems as any growing city. Crime is an issue, as is racial tension between the native French population and the arriving North African immigrants. Twenty-five percent of the population in Marseille is of North African descent, and that number is growing. But the city has come to embrace its newfound diversity, and is eager to put its best foot forward to attract a piece of the ever-growing tourism industry.
Monte Carlo
Monaco is something of an anomaly in toady's democratic world. Monarchies worldwide have either dissolved completely or they have seen their once absolute power reduced to ceremonial titles. But the Principality of Monaco presses on, with the Grimaldi Dynasty having been in control of these 370 acres since 1297. Although France did manage to annex Monaco in the late 1700?s, the Grimaldi family recovered rule in 1814.
Prince Rainier III is the current ruler of Monaco. His marriage to famous actress Grace Kelly in 1956 was a worldwide event, and elevated Monaco to a sort of fantasyland, with storybook romances and a jolly ruler. Princess Grace had three children, Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stephanie. Grace died tragically in a car accident in 1982, and the mere mention of the accident still conjures up painful memories for locals.
Of particular concern to the people of Monaco is the bachelor status of Prince Albert. A treaty signed almost 100 years ago states that Monaco would become a territory under French protection if the ruling family were to run out of heirs. Albert is still not married, which has the locals a little nervous.
Almost all of the country's economy is centered around gambling and tourism. Not surprisingly, the economy is doing fine. Mercedes and BMW's are common here, and the public transportation system is flush with electronic displays keeping track of the buses and trains. Even the train station in Monte Carlo would pass as a tourist attraction in some places. There is no income tax in Monaco, which has made the Principality the chosen home of many of the world's wealthiest people.
Portofino
Portofino is the destination of choice for many of Europe's wealthiest tourists. Yachts are as common as cars, and pretty little villas have been built into the hills. The locals thumb their noses at the tourists who invade this sleepy Italian Riviera town every day, all the while earning their livelihood off the very same people whom they claim to despise. There is very little business in Portofino outside of tourism.
Portofino belonged to the Romans before being overtaken by the Republic of Genoa in 1229. Subsequently, the French, English, and Spanish controlled the town, before Portofino finally returned to Italian rule. The British are particularly taken with Portofino, as it has been a favorite destination for English travelers since the 19th Century.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton came here after their big budget film Cleopatra flopped, in part to replenish their battered self-images and reaffirm their movie-star status. The Splendido Hotel overlooks Portofino's harbor, and is generally recognized as one of the finer hotels in all of Europe. Hemingway, Garbo, Gable, and Onassis are just some of the names that have graced the hotel's guest list.
The instructions for a typical day in Portofino are simple. Start with a lazy stroll along the waterfront, followed by a nice lunch. If you have the energy, you might take a nature hike, but only after making reservations for dinner at one of the city's chic dining spots. Breeze in for dinner, and have some gelato for dessert. Repeat every day forever, if you can afford it.
Sorrento
Sorrento has long held a special place in the heart of Italians. Its rugged beauty has attracted poets, philosophers, playwrights, and authors for centuries. Roman mythology places Sorrento as the spot where sailors were lured to their death by the songs of the sirens, mermaids who used their beautiful voices to lead men to their watery graves. It's said that the mythical hero Ulysses stuffed his crew's ears with wax to deafen them and strapped himself to the ships hull in order to resist their allure.
Today, the city is still every bit as alluring. Sorrento is on the beautiful Amalfi Coast, a strip of land in Western Italy that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The small island of Capri is just three miles off shore, and one of Italy's most beautiful (but dangerous) roads winds along from Sorrento, through Amalfi and into Salerno. Sorrento is equidistant from both Naples and Salerno, exactly 43 miles away from each. Vic Damone's tear-jerking hit, Come Back to Sorrento may become your theme song once you visit this little slice of paradise.
Amalfi
Amalfi was once a major center of European culture and commerce. The mighty Republic of Amalfi thrived from the 9th Century through the 11th Century. It was home to 50,000 people, and an important player in the Mediterranean Sea trade. The maritime code created here, the Tavole Amalfitane, was adopted as the code of the entire Mediterranean for centuries. In the 1100?s, Amalfi's very own Flavio Gioia invented the compass. The art of paper-making was centered here, with the Republic bringing the craft with it on journeys to the rest of Europe and the Arab world. But over time, Amalfi's influence eroded, and attacks from Pisa to the north left the town deserted and powerless. Only recently has the city reinvented itself as a tourist attraction, with people drawn here by its small-town Italian charm, and the beautiful stretch of land known as the Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi is on Italy's western coast, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Nearby is Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano that buried the ancient city of Pompeii. The island of Capri is just offshore. Naples, the region's largest city, lies northwest of Amalfi.
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