Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 […]
Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union […]
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. […]
Italy is filled with natural and artistic wonders that can take a lifetime to explore. Some of the most famous are the Alpine ski center of Courmayeur, the canals and palazzi of Venice, the Renaissance art and architecture of Florence, the monuments of Rome and Vatican City, the stunning Amalfi Coast, and the Greek temples […]
Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos Kadar in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing […]
Greece is situated in southern Europe. Greece and the Greek islands are one of Europe’s favorite destinations and proposes many hotels. It is a peninsular and mountainous country unique in charm and beauty. Greece, and it’s capital Athens is famous with travellers for the Acropolis, ancient temples, medieval churches, early modern neoclassical mansions; the birthplace […]
Berlin is the capital of reunited Germany since 1990. Until that moment in time Germany was divided by force for 45 years during the Cold War.. The city of Berlin has emerged as a international cultural centre and an area of rapid development since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990. As Europe’s largest […]
The south coast of France, including the likes of Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo is well worth visiting as so many sights will be familiar from films. Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today […]
Tallinn, the oldest capital in Northern Europe, was put on the map for the first time by Arabian geographer al-Idrisi in 1154. Tallinn’s Old Town is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the best-preserved medieval town centres in Europe. It boasts a town wall with 26 defence towers, the Dominican St. […]
In addition to Denmark itself, the kingdom also includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland and c. 407 islands, of which c. 78 are inhabited (2003). Of these, the largest and most densely populated are Zealand on which the capital of Copenhagen is situated, Funen and the north Jutland […]