Things to Do in Europe

Perched on its craggy mountain lookout, Salzburg’s famous castle, Festung Hohensalzburg, dominates the city and its Old Town. Surrounded by walls and dotted with towers and battlements, Festung Hohensalzburg is one of the largest and best preserved castles in Europe.

The fortified castle was built in 1077, from its lofty position protecting Salzburg, with cracking views of the surrounding countryside.

Take a guided tour around the palatial state rooms, Gothic torture chambers, lookouts and museum collections. Keep an eye out for more than 50 examples of the castle’s symbol, a regal lion holding a beetroot – or is it a turnip?

One of Ireland’s premier seaside resorts, on the cusp of Galway Bay, Salthill has been drawing in tourists since the early 20th century and remains a hugely popular vacation spot during the summer months. Sandy beaches, surrounded by windswept rocky coastline, are the main attraction at Salthill, but its not just swimming and sunbathing that’s on offer - jet skiing, boating, sail-boarding and sea angling are all popular activities; there’s a dedicated high board diving area; and snorkeling and scuba diving sites abound along the coastline.

The postcard-worthy location is best admired with a stroll along the 2km seafront ‘Prom’ (promenade), a lively walkway crammed with bars, restaurants and hotels, as well as hosting a vibrant nightlife from its many casinos and nightclubs. One of a number of casinos and leisure centers that opened up in the 1970’s, the famous Leisureland complex is still a prime attraction, featuring a summer fairground, swimming pool, mini golf course and concert hall that has hosted acts like U2 and AC/DC over the years.

Once you tire of beach life, there’s plenty of alternatives, too - visit the Galway Atlantaquaria – Ireland’s National Aquarium, home to the world’s only White Skate on public display; enjoy a stroll through nearby Salthill Park or Quincentennial Park; or explore Galway’s myriad of iconic sights, like the immense Cliffs of Moher or the unique landscape of the Burren.

Meaning “hidden city” in Turkish, the spectacular Saklıkent Gorge offers dramatic scenery and a variety of outdoor activities, making it a must-visit for families and adventure travelers. Extending for 18 km (11 miles), this rock chasm – carved by mountain streams rushing down from nearby Ak Dağ – reaches a depth of 480m (1,575 feet) and is so narrow in places that no sunlight reaches the bottom.

From the entrance, a boardwalk built into the cliff face leads to a spit of land that juts out into the water at the point where the Gökçesu and Ulupınar springs emerge vigorously from the canyon. Built out over the water on wooden platforms are a handful of eateries – a relaxing place to grab a simple bite or drink as you sit back and listen to the sound of rushing water below.

From here, you can make your way into the narrows by wading through the ice-cold water, which – depending on the season – may come as high as the waist. Adventurous travelers wanting to traverse the entire length of Saklıkent Gorge may wish to join a guided canyoning tour, as the sheer rock faces can be slippery and difficult to navigate. Other activities offered included river rafting, and there are even rustic treehouses where visitors can stay overnight.

With its narrow cobblestone streets and pastel-painted buildings, overlooked by the ruins of the 13th century Stari Grad fortress, Samobor is one of Croatia’s most picturesque medieval towns and famous for its riotous annual carnival celebrations.

Located 25km west of Zagreb, Samobor makes a popular day trip from the capital and a scenic base for exploring the woodland trails of the surrounding Samobor Hills, as well as the caves and gorges of the Zumberak I Samobor Gorje Prirodni Nature Park. In the town itself, the majority of sights are clustered around the central Kralja Tomislava square, including the Gothic St Michael's Church, the Church of St Anastasia and the Town Museum (Gradski Muzej) - all striking examples of Samobor’s historic architecture.

Samobor is also renowned as a center of Croatian gastronomy and has a wealth of fine restaurants and local specialties to impress even the most seasoned foodies. Samobor's famous aperitif, Bermet is traditionally sipped before a meal, but most indulgent are the desserts, including traditional dishes like Rudorska Greblica, a rich cheesecake, or Samoborska Kremšnita, a delicious vanilla custard pastry.

Salzburg’s Cathedral, or Dom, is a restrained exercise in classic Italian Baroque, topped with green bronze domes. Mozart was baptized here, and the building was completed in 1628.

Highlights include the light-filled atrium and dome, the crypt with its Romanesque foundations and tombs, and the statues of angels surrounding the altar.

The Cathedral Museum tells the history of the Cathedral’s construction and artworks.

The Provencal village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, 20 km south of Avignon, is most famous for its impressively preserved Roman ruins, but behind its ancient façade lies a lively town full of character. The magnificent Triumphant Arch of Glanum is the town’s most dramatic attraction - the oldest Roman arch of the narbonensis region - and the ruins of its 14th century defensive walls still encircle the ancient Gallo-Roman center, with the original portes still used as gateways to the center. The Nostradamus fountain, in honor of its namesake who was born in the town, is another popular sight, as is the elegant 16th century Mairie (Town Hall). The town also possesses a more unusual claim to fame – the town’s Monastery de Mausole housed Van Gogh during his period of psychiatric treatment prior to his untimely death and was where he painted his late masterpieces Starry Night and Self-Portrait.

Travelers looking to escape the bustle of Aix-de-Provence, Avignon and Arles, will find Saint-Rémy-de-Provence a tranquil base for exploring the region and despite its diminutive size, the strategically located town has plenty to offer visitors. A cluster of hotels, restaurants and shops line the town center, which is easily traversed on foot, and the Wednesday markets transform the sleepy village into a hive of activity.