In the land of Johann Strauss, Schloss Schönbrunn and Empress Sisi, life is still a little bit slower than elsewhere. Famous coffeehouses, shady vineyards and the charm of the past make Vienna Europe’s capital of nostalgia. Add in a bit of the new, with the Museums Quartier cultural district, one of the ten largest cultural complexes in the world.  Vienna is a great place for music lovers, especially if you have the chance to attend a Vienna State Opera concert. Most attractions lie within the First District, where you can find some of the most beautiful buildings in the city -- the State Opera House, the Natural History Museum, Parliament, City Hall, and the Palace Theatre. The Waltz also originated in Vienna, and did you know in Austria there is a designated ball season? This happens from November to June and there are hundreds of balls to choose from. 

Rome is more than a fascinating European capital city; it is a spectacular encyclopedia of living history. It has been said that all roads lead to Rome, and in Rome, every road leads to eternity. The city is vast, although the historic center is quite small. The whole experience of Rome is so powerful as to be almost overwhelming at times. The best way to prepare for a visit is to study a little of the history of the region, and then arrange an itinerary that allows time to explore, rest, and reflect on the magnificence of it all. Visit Vatican City, a independent city-state located entirely within Rome.  Tours of Rome are plentiful and often based on themes of history, food and wine, art, and religion.  The daring may want to rent a Vespa and navigate the historical streets of a city teeming in history.  

Out of all of Spain’s wonderful cities, Barcelona seems to be one of the most popular.  From coastal views to the rich art and architectural heritage, you’ll quickly see why.  Why not get some perspective on it all from the most famous site of all, the Sagrada Familia?  It is a church – or piece of art? – created by famed artist Antoni Gaudi; the design is so complex that it still isn’t finished, despite having been started in 1882.  Head down the spiral stairs and admire it from afar for a different perspective, and then reflect on your thoughts while people watching on Las Ramblas, the hive of Barcelona’s cultural district.  This is a great place to sit and enjoy a glass of sangria, a beer, or even try out some tapas with fresh local ingredients.  Beyond Las Ramblas, you can also walk the Barri Gotic, Barcelona’s old medieval town, or pay a visit to Art Montfalcon, a souvenir shop that is noteworthy for having what seems to be just about one of everything.

As Europe's largest city, London is host to more than 25 millions visitors a year; yet, it is never too crowded to be enjoyable. The City Center of London is only a couple square kilometers, but fans out into neighborhoods that add to its historical significance and charm. Some of the must-sees in the city include the tower and bridge of London, the London Eye, the British Museum, and changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. If you have time for shopping, Harrods is the most popular and famous upscale department store located in Knightsbridge. Catch a football match, rugby, or cricket game at one of the major venues, and at night there are great bars both upscale and trendy in and around the City and in West London. There is so much to experience in London you’ll want to schedule a return visit.

Imagine walking into a coffee shop and buying marijuana with your cappuccino, or hunting for souvenirs and ending up in a sex shop. This can happen to you in Amsterdam. But cannabis and the Red Light District are only two of the eclectic experiences that the city has to offer. Romantic canals lined by 17th century architecture criss-cross the city, ad strolling around has the feel of visiting an open-air museum. Shop for tulips, bulbs and wooden shoes at the floating Flower Market. Soak up culture in the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frankhuis. Add a windmill, a canal boat cruise and a Heineken or three. If you are in need of some fresh air and exercise, rent a bike and really explore and see the city. Head to Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest city park and sit and enjoy the sights. The result is a city full of luscious ingredients and as tasty as the famous Dutch appelgebak or apple pie. 

Paris is known for its famous buildings and works of art, its chic fashion scene and its modern literary, artistic, and intellectual ideals, and is a must for anyone wishing to experience the best of both contemporary and age old European culture. If you have limited time, make sure to go to the area north of the river, the Rive Droite, to see the tree-lined Avenue des Champs Elysees, running west from the Arc de Triomphe. East of the avenue is the Musee du Louvre, the Centre Georges Pompidou and a lively district of museums, shops, markets and restaurants. Immediately south of the Pompidou Centre on the Ile de la Cite is Notre Dame Cathedral. If you still have time, head west along the river and you will find the city’s trademark, the Eiffel Tower. If you are intrigued by Paris’ famous academic, artistic and intellectual enclave, the Saint Germain de Pres and Montparnasse districts are located just to the east. 

The capital of Germany is paved with cobblestone streets dating back 750 years, but at the same time it is gloriously modern. For nearly 30 years, Berlin was really two cities: East and West Berlin, with an impenetrable wall between the two.  In 1989 all that changed. The wall came down, reuniting the two parts of the city.  Since that time, Berlin has been not only reborn, but also reinvented. The action (sights, restaurants and nightlife) is now found in eastern Berlin. Much of the new city is already in place: parliament sits in the renovated Reichstag; Potsdamer Platz, once leveled to a field in the Wall's death zone, is now a bustling quarter with shops, restaurants, a theater, a film museum, and a casino; and the city's world-class collection of European art has been reunited in the Gemaldegalerie. Art lovers should check out the various warehouse art galleries and the graffiti on what is left of the Berlin Wall. This revitalized Berlin has been called the "New York City" of Europe.