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.
Gdansk
The third largest city in Poland, Gdansk is also the capital of Poland's northern region. It heads up the province of Pomorze Gdanskie, which is also known as East Pomerania. It is in close relationship with the small towns that keep it company, Gdynia and Sopot. Together, these three cities make up the Trojmiasto.
This vivacious port city has a history that dates back to 1308, when it was a Baltic port and an independent city-state called Danzig. Many Germans called this area their home. It was not renamed Gdansk until 1945. The battles of World War II led to much destruction in Gdansk, but did not ruin its spirit. In fact, in 1997 Gdansk enjoyed constant festivals of music, exhibitions and tons of events on both land and water in celebration of its 1000th anniversary as a Baltic city. The streets are all restored to their original form and many shops and galleries have been built, keeping Gdansk prosperous, fun and enchanting.
Glowne Miasto, the Main Town of Gdansk, is filled with streets holding treasures of history. Explore this medieval city and all of the culture it embodies. If you are interested in churches that tell the story of Gdansk's past, then travel north to its Old Town, Stare Miasto. Shopping is especially good here, too. The oldest church, St. Catherine's, which dates back to the 12th century, is located here. Certain sections were added to the church as time went on. The tower is from the 1480?s, and the amazing 37 bells were installed in 1634. The largest mill in medieval Europe is on the same plot of land here, as well as the grave of the 17th century astronomer, Jan Hevelius. The Wielki Mtyn, (Great Mill) operated from 1350 until 1945.
Enjoy Gdansk and all of the opportunities that await you on your visit. It is as lovely as it is historically significant, and you will have a vacation full of memories and pictures to show your friends. From shops to nightclubs, it is all here, radiant and vibrant. Walk along the docks, and watch a sunset that will truly take your breath away.
Oslo
Oslo is one of the oldest capitals in all of Scandinavia. Because of increased interest in tourism, Oslo has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. Whereas twenty or thirty years ago, visitors to Oslo would have had to rely solely on the intrinsic beauty of the area for a good time, now, with all of the added tourist attractions and museums, the combination is dynamite. There is enough to see and do in Oslo to keep you busy and happy for weeks.
In the 11th-century, a Viking king founded Oslo, and under Hakkon V, the city became the capital of Norway. Throughout the centuries, Oslo has burned to the ground numerous times, but every time it was rebuilt on a grander scale. Most recently, the city was completely destroyed by fire in 1824, but the King of Denmark, Christian IV, rebuilt the town in close proximity to the Akershus Castle. During this time, he renamed the city Christiania, but in 1924 Oslo reverted back to its previous (and current) name. After World War II, Oslo expanded to 175 square miles and today, in terms of area, it is one of the ten largest capital cities in the world. This is quite amazing for such a seemingly small town. However, for its great geographic size, there are only 500,000 inhabitants that live in the city. The region is heavily forested, and along with glaciers and mountains, Oslo has a great deal of uninhabitable area.
The name Norway comes from the word Norvegr, meaning the way to the north. Over 1,000 years ago, this term was used by the Vikings to describe the shipping route of the country. Norway is often referred to as the Land of the Midnight Sun because of the long nights during the winter and the long days during the summer. In the wintertime, it is not uncommon to have over seventeen hours of straight darkness. The scenery in Oslo is picturesque, and destinations to hike, ski, and explore are everywhere. The locals are friendly, and the territory is diverse and wonderfully exciting.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of the most warm and inviting cities in existence. A picture of this quaint city includes cobblestone streets, a few towering skyscrapers and friendly people that will greet you at every turn. This is very unlike the typical hot pavement and traffic-covered streets that are usually associated with a major city. Copenhagen is truly a fairy-tale town where pollution does not exist but the sweet scent of bakeries envelopes the area instead.
Copenhagen is part cosmopolitan city and part small town that has plenty to offer its visitors. This is the political, financial and cultural capital of Denmark that 1.5 million people call home. Museums, historical sights, cafés, and the most delicious restaurants abound here. The day will captivate you and the night will intrigue you, so do not plan to go to sleep early. Go crazy and live it up at the many clubs and bars, or have a cappuccino while watching a magnificent sunset.
Copenhagen has quite a tumultuous history, starting in 1157, when Valdemar the Great gave it to Bishop Absalon. Before this transition year, Copenhagen was just a simple fishing town. Bishop Absalon built a castle here, which is now Christianborg Palace. Copenhagen grew to be a great center as a Baltic trade route, and in the 15th century, the town became the royal residence and the capital of Norway and Sweden. Walking around Copenhagen today, one will be able to see beautiful castles and towers that date back to the 16th century and the rule of Christian IV. This king was enamored of fine architecture, which resulted in a wealth of construction that still marvels visitors today. We are quite lucky Christian IV built up the city as much as he did, because some of the buildings from his time are the only historical landmarks that survived two major fires in the 18th century, as well as the bombings by Lord Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars.
A sweet lull of peace sweeps over Denmark now, which disguises Copenhagen's difficult history. It is a colorful town brought to life by street musicians and performers on every corner. Delight your eyes with the lights that illuminate these same streets at night, and take a stroll along a drawbridge over one of the many canals. It is impossible not to fall in love with this seafaring city.
London
London is a fabulous city, with a rich heritage and history that greets you everywhere you go. There is so much activity and beauty in London that multiple trips are usually a necessity to get a true sense of the region. Perhaps Samuel Johnson was right when he said, a man that is tired of London is tired of life. The glory of Big Ben and the splendor of a trip to Buckingham Palace are only a beginning. The British Museum is magnificent, and the shopping in the city is spectacular.
Present-day London still possesses an air of the medieval, which only adds to its charm. St. Paul's Cathedral is a glorious site, which has stood since the 1600?s. The Thames flows by on the same course as it did 2,000 years ago, and London's time machine museums are magnificent. Art, fashion, and dining in London remain popular, and even the United States tries to imitate the dress and music of Britain's hot spot. London is still a swinging city, and Vanity Fair recently proclaimed it the coolest city in the world.
But all you traditionalists do not dismay, for Britons have a strong sense of culture and tradition. Teatime remains the most sacred part of the day, and is honored by nearly every citizen in the region. The tall, red double-decker buses still tour the city, and the matching red telephone booths can still be found on nearly every corner. And of course, the Royal Family continues its own tradition in England. Taking a tour of the Royal Quarters, gallivanting around the area, and exploring all of London's sights first-hand, are unparalleled experiences.
There is so much adventure to be found in London, but it does take a bit of effort. The layout of the area is quite difficult to navigate, but this simply adds to the fun! Venturing around the city and discovering unique experiences is the best thing about London. It is made especially enjoyable because London is one of the safest cities in the world, so you will be secure and comfortable in all of your travels. It is the swirling maze of streets and the city's medieval arrangement that make London difficult to travel from point to point. As a result, you will end up taking roundabout directions from locals, encountering wonderfully eccentric people and experiences along the way.
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