Go Shopping for Baltic Amber in Gdansk, Poland

With its beautifully restored 17th century burgher townhouses and polished cobblestone streets, Gdansk, Poland shows little of the ravages bestowed on it by modern history. Famously invaded by Hitler at Westerplatte on the 1st September 1939, Gdansk’s shelling sparked WWII and threw Europe into conflict. Six years later, the city was liberated by the Red Army, only to be destroyed once again. After decades of painstaking restoration, Gdansk once again resembles something of its former glory. Central to its heritage is amber, with the earliest evidence of an amber workshop in Gdansk dating back to the late 10th century AD. Today Gdansk runs its own amber processing school, and its amber masters continue to enjoy worldwide appreciation for their craft. Archeologists believe that amber was ...

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Unleash your Inner Botanist at Kew Gardens, London

Explore Georgian palaces, Victorian glasshouses, manicured landscapes, and more than 250 years of history at Kew Gardens in London: the world's most famous botanic garden. Climb up into the treetops, delve deep into rainforest, or discover more on a guided tour. Established in 1802 with the union of the Richmond and Kew estates, Kew Gardens grew from a private exotic garden into a national institution. Today its 300 acres of parkland is home to the world's largest collection of indoor plants, including some of the rarest specimens to be found.   Kew Gardens grows over 30,000 species in five glasshouses: the Palm House, Temperate House, Waterlily House, Alpine House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Of these, the Palm House and the Temperate House are ...

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Hill of Crosses Lithuania

The 50,000 crosses on this small hill mark's a poignant pilgrimage site with both religious and political significance.

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Marvel Over the Mezquita Great Mosque in Cordoba, Spain

Cordoba's Great Mosque in Andalusia, southern Spain, is a glory of the Islamic world and Europe's most magnificent Muslim monument. What makes this UNESCO World Heritage Site especially intriguing is its long and checkered history, once serving as a Roman temple, Visigothic cathedral, Christian church, and Moorish mosque. Today, the Great Mosque of Cordoba (“La Mezquita”) is Cordoba's cathedral, known as the “Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption” since the Spanish Reconquista (711-1492) saw the Moorish empire fall to Christian conquerors. A curious blend of architectural styles and Islamic influences still linger inside Cordoba Mezquita's stunning interior. For many Andalucians, the Cordoba Mosque is a lasting symbol of city's heyday as the Moorish Empire's westernmost Caliphate. The mosque's construction lasted over two centuries, beginning ...

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Tea at the Ritz

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Fly Away with the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Largest balloon festival in Europe Held during August Ashton Court country estate For over 40 years Formed in 1979 Four-day festival Balloon is one of Bristol's key icons As many as 100 balloons fly at one time Draws crowds of over 100,000 So many attend that Bristol Clifton Bridge is closed to vehicles and pedestrians 11-14th August 2011 Night glow with over 30 balloons, followed by fireworks display Night Glow held on the evening of the opening night and on the Saturday Special-shaped balloons by Cameron Balloons, including Rupert the Bear, Bertie Basset and the Tesco trolley. Fun fairs, carnival attractions, music, food and drink stands Air shows including the famous Red Arrows Mass ascent of over 100 balloons at 6am on Friday, Saturday and ...

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