From the 13th of October to the 4th of November 2009, I travelled around in Europe, starting in the UK (London) and then continuing on a 15 day guided tour of Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and finally France.
In one phrase I can summarize the tour as a "truly Mind-Broadening Odyssey"!
The Vatican
Venice - Burano Island
It is fair to claim that the essence of Europe is found in it's vibrant Culture and it's long History.
In most European cities such as London, Paris, Rome, Prague, Vienna, Venice and Florence, you feel that you're are literally "walking on history".......
Italian Countryside
In addition to culture, some ares in Europe such as Switzerland, Tuscany (Italy) and the Rhine (Germany) exhibits breathtaking natural beauty.
Swiss Alps
In my experience the cultural highlights of Europe are it's awe-inspiring Cathedrals, magnificent Palaces/Chateaus , imposing Castles/Fortresses, grand Opera Houses/Theaters, delightful Restaurants/Cafes, immaculately maintained Gardens/Parks, it's elegant sense of Style and even it's occasional rustic Charm....
Interior of the Versailles Palace (France)
Although modern Europe has embraced Secular Values any observant visitor will realise that Europe's Soul is in Christianity.
St Marks Cathedral Venice
Schoenbrunn Palace Vienna
Rome
Inside the British Museum
Prague
Swiss Countryside
Tower Bridge London
Paris
Assisi Italy
Inside the Natural History Museum London
Venice Lagoon
Les Invalides Paris
Lugano Switzerland
Historic buildings in Nuremberg Germany
St Mark's Square Venice
Colosseum Rome
Garden of the Versailles Palace (France)
Hofburg Palace Vienna
Cathedral in Florence (Italy)
In some parts of Europe, especially Italy, Paris and Vienna(Austria), the histories and the cultures were so overwhelmingly 'brilliant' that it felt like a perpetual information overload during the tour.....
One advantage with traveling in continental Europe is that you can cross national, geographical, cultural and linguistic boundaries within a days 'coach ride'. In the morning you wake up to the view of the rolling Tuscan hills in Italy and and in the evening you are awestruck by the sight of the mighty Swiss Alps!
Even though every day of my tour had some sort of a highlight, the classical concert at the Kursalon in Vienna, the guided tour of the Vatican and sightseeing in Paris rank among the truly 'special' experiences of my life.
Geographically the countries of Europe seem rather "blended in" due to their close proximity and these days geographic barriers can be easily overcome through modern transport. But historically this was always so. You can still observe the linguistic, cultural and political identities defined by 'barriers' such as the Alps, the Rhine and the Danube. So the 'inter-play' of history and geography has given every European country it's unique 'character' whether it's 'subtle' or 'profound'.
Some of the rather 'profound' differences in 'character' are between the German speaking Central Europe and the Mediterranean Italy!
Italy is all about expression and emotion, whether it's in food, music, fashion, architecture and art. The porters in Venice wearing designer sunglasses and shouting "attenzione attenzione" (i.e. attention move away) are like peacocks strutting their tail feathers.....
Italy also has a certain "chaotic temperament" that adds to it's appeal. Try driving or crossing the road in Rome....
On the other hand, German speaking areas whether they are in Germany itself or Austria or Switzerland, seem to exhibit a certain orderliness, precision, seriousness or somberness (for the lack of a better word....) which seem to permeate through people's behavior and the culture itself.
Where as Italy more than any other nation seems to exude the glory of the old culture of Europe, France (judging from Paris at least) is a strange blend of the old and new (i.e. magnificent history and trend-setting modernity). If there is one place that I visited during the tour which has to be chosen as being the 'best', then it will have be Paris! I think Paris captures the "entirety of the human condition" in the the most enigmatic way ......
Swiss Alps
Arc de Triomphe (Paris)
St Paul's Cathedral London
Rhine river Germany
Rome
Venice
Sacre Coeur Paris
Lucerne Switzerland
Buckingham Palace London
Castel Sant'Angelo Rome
Italian Countryside
Marble Sculpture British Museum
Eiffel Tower Paris
Interior of St Peters Vatican
Swiss Alps
View of Prague Castle
Assisi Italy
Interior of the Versailles Palace (France)
Snow in Austria
Crowds in the Vatican
Marble bust of a Roman Emperor - British Museum
Venice Burano Island
Notre Dame Cathedral Paris
Sculpture at the Victoria & Albert Museum London
Exterior of the Colosseum
French Countryside
Trafalgar Square London
City Square Florence
Canals of Venice
Sculptures at an entrance to the Hofburg Palace Vienna
St Peter's Square Vatican
Tower of London
Exterior of Versailles Palace (France)
Swiss Countryside
Dome of St Peters Vatican
Front of Notre Dame Cathedral Paris
Schoenbrunn Palace Vienna
Architecture in Rome
Sculpture in Florence
Prague
Paris
St Goar Germany
Arch of Constantine Rome
Royal Albert Hall London
Assisi Italy
Statue of Joan of Arc Paris
Venice
Along the Rhine river Germany
Path to Vatican
Paris
Gardens of Schoenbrunn Palace Vienna
Supporting walls of the Colosseum
Panoramic view of Venice
My European tour effectively started in London. Possibly due to the fact that Britain once was the greatest empire on earth, London still feels like Civilization Central! Practically the entire diversity of humanity can be found there....
Changing of the royal guard London (short movie)
First major stop of the Continental European part of my tour was Brussels in Belgium. Brussels is a rather "bureaucratic" city with grand historic monuments including a fascinating town square.
Brussels town square (short movie)
Our next stop was in Germany. In one sentence, Germany is a beautiful and well-ordered country with a great history. I certainly developed a liking for German food and beer....
Cruise along the Rhine (short movie)
Then we moved onto Prague the historic main city of the now Czech Republic. Prague possesses over a millennium of amazing history and a spectacular town square
Prague Town Square (short movie)
Listening to the chants of nuns inside the Notre Dame Cathedral was a "sublime experience"....
Inside the Notre Dame (short movie)
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Irrespective of the religious background you come from, listening to the Pope speak at the St Peters Square can be regarded as a once in a lifetime event for a tourist like myself....
St Peters Square Vatican (short movie)
You can get a sense of Rome's former grandeur by visiting the Colosseum....
Interior of the Colosseum (short movie)You come to realise that Venice is beautiful in every angle....
Venice St Marks Square (short movie)
The landscape around lake Lucerne in Switzerland is virtually unparalleled in natural beauty....
Lake Lucerne Switzerland (short movie)
Italians seem to be rather active pursuers of the Good Life (La Dolce Vita)....
Sopranos at a Dinner in the Roman Hills (short movie)
At 3020 meters above sea-level on the top of Mt Titlis in Switzerland, you can get a panoramic perspective of the Alps....
Top of Mt Titlis Switzerland (short movie)
In the architecture of Florence you can still feel the spirit of the Renaissance....
Florentine Cathedral (short movie)
The Hofburg palace complex in Vienna exudes the magnificence of the former Austrian Empire.....
Hofburg Palace Complex (short movie)
The Trevi Fountain is one of the main attractions of Rome.
Trevi Fountain (short movie)
The character and the landscape around Lugano in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland is a unique blend of Alpine and the Mediterranean....
Lake Lugano (short movie)
Rustic charm of the Florence Town Square (short movie)
360 degree view of the Venetian Cityscape (short movie)
The imposing Entrance to the Versailles Palace (short movie)
The famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge over the Arno River in Florence
(short movie)
The Entrance to the Schoenbrunn Palace Vienna (short movie)
"Jaw-Dropping" Artistic Perfection inside the Vatican St Peters
(short movie)
All the "glitters" are indeed Gold inside the Versailles Palace
(short movie)
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