Things to Do in Europe

The origins of Drum Castle, one of Scotland's oldest tower houses, can be traced back to the 14th century. Home to the Irvine family for more than six centuries, the estate"”now owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS)"”features a medieval grand hall, a Jacobean mansion house, a Victorian-era library, and an ancient oak forest.

Visitors to Drum Castle can explore the castle interior during a guided tour. Guided tours include a visit to the medieval High Hall, the chance to view the original charter granted by Robert the Bruce, and the opportunity to climb to the top of 700-year-old Drum Tower. Afterward, wander through the walled gardens, including the wonderfully scented Garden of Historic Roses. 

For those who don't want to tour the castle, it's possible to pay for admission to the walled gardens only. And for visitors who want to check off other NTS-managed sites, consider a National Trust for Scotland Discover Ticket, which provides access to 90 different Scottish attractions.

Drum Castle is situated near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Aberdeen. Stagecoach North Scotland bus services 201, 202, and 203 depart from Aberdeen and stop at Drum Castle Road End, about 20"“30 minutes from the castle on foot. 

The castle is open daily from June through August, and Thursday"“Monday during April, May, September, and October. Between November and March, visit on weekends, as the castle is closed midweek. The castle also closes during the Christmas and New Year's period. The grounds are open year-round, though the Garden of Historic Roses is open only April"“October. Perhaps the best time to visit is in June or July, when the roses are in full bloom. 

Adjacent to the castle is an ancient oak forest, where centuries-old trees grow. Visitors who want to get active can choose among several trails. Follow the 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) Woodland Walk or the 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) Drumhill Trail and see if you can spot local wildlife, including roe deer, red kites, and badgers, along the way.

Domäne Dahlem is an open-air museum in central Berlin that focuses on the agriculture, ecology, and food culture of the local region. The museum is located in the manor house of the former 16th-century knight estate Dahlem, and looks back on more than 800 years of agrarian history. Visitors engage all their senses as they learn about the life cycle of food"”from the fields to their plates. With exhibitions, an organic farm with livestock and working crops, a historic grocery shop, market days, and more, the museum is home to educational action year-round.

Young kids can enjoy opportunities to feed the animals on the farm, such as pigs, goats, cattle, sheep, horses, and chicks. There are tractor rides offered, and special kids' tours explore the vegetable garden and the butcher's shop, as well. (Kids can also make beeswax candles). Things get busy on festival or market days, when parades with horses and riders, and bustling market stalls, transport visitors back to the Middle Ages.

Dorotheenstadtischer Friedhof is a cemetery in Berlin dating back to 1762. It serves as a resting place for many well known Germans. Today many visitors come to this cemetery to stroll through the graves and see the headstones of the intellectual and artistic leaders who are buried here. There is also a monument honoring resistance fighters killed by the Nazi regime and a mass grave containing 64 people killed near the end of the war, most of whom are unknown. 

The names include the philosophers Hegel and Fichte, the authors Heinrich Mann, Johannes R. Becher, Arnold Zweig and Anna Seghers, the director Heiner Müller, the architects Friedrich August Stüler and Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the artist John Heartfield, the actress Helene Weigel, and the printer Ernst Theodor Litfaß. There is also an honorary grave for the former Federal President Johannes Rau. The house where the playwright Brecht spent the last years of his life with his wife Weigel is located at the entrance to the cemetery. Today the Brecht Archive and the Literature Forum are located here.

One of Europe's most significant wetland reserves, Doñana National Park is a large protected area spanning nearly 3,000 square kilometers across three regions of Spain. It is known for its expansive amount of migrating birds, which visit seasonally from across Europe and Africa. Bird species vary depending on the ecosystem, and Doñana has marshes and streams, coastal dunes, and Mediterranean scrubland. Las Marismas, the name given to the delta of the Guadalquivir River and the Atlantic Ocean, is what created much of the unique landscape of this special place.

Once a hunting ground for Spanish royalty, the grounds were threatened as water was rerouted for agricultural purposes. There are also badgers, Spanish red deer, mongooses, and wild boars that call the lands home "” with the rare Spanish imperial eagle and Iberian lynx occasionally spotted. Conservation and protection of the environment is now a top priority. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Courtauld Gallery in London has art on display from the early Renaissance to the 20th century. The collections include iconic Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, along with sculpture, decorative and applied arts. Some of the pieces of art visitors can view here are by Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, as well as the largest collection of Cezannes in the UK. It is housed in Somerset House, an 18th-century building that was once the Royal Academy of Art. It is also the heart of the Courtauld Institute of Art and part of London's Museum Mile. 

Most of the art on display was gifted to the Courtauld Gallery. The museum also has temporary exhibits throughout the year that focus on various topics and artists. Occasionally the museum holds special lectures, lunchtime talks, workshops, short courses and other events. There is also a cafe and a gift shop. 

During his lifetime, Professor Fredrik Cygnaeus (1807-1881) was one of Finland's most renowned art collectors. He housed an impressive number of paintings and sculptures from mainly Finnish artists. Upon his death in 1881, Cygnaeus left his vast collection to the state in his will. Thus, in 1882 The Cygnaeus Gallery opened "“ a display of the professor's great collection and today, the gallery is heralded as the oldest art museum in all of Finland.

Of course, the number of art pieces in the Cygnaeus Gallery has risen fairly drastically since the death of the professor. Currently, the museum houses around 450 different pieces of art donated over the past century. Some of the most famous works are the creations of famous Finnish artists such as painter Helene Schjerfbeck and sculpture Walter Runeberg. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions at the gallery and quite often, the gallery also hosts concerts. The museum is located within the grounds of the beautiful Kaivopuisto Park in a pretty old villa.

Denmark's North Zealand is a rural region traditionally given used for farming and forestry. This heritage is celebrated in the family-friendly Danish Museum for Hunting and Forestry (Dansk Jagt Og Skovbrugsmuseum) which opened in 1942. It has since much expanded and is located on the Hørsholm estate north of Copenhagen, in the Baroque former stables and barns of a now-demolished castle.

Dedicated to highlighting the relationship between man and nature for the last 15,000 years, the spacious museum has plenty of stuffed wildlife "” there's even a taxidermied stag dating from the 1600s "” and skeletons to horrify and delight in equal measure. Exhibits include one of Europe's largest collections of ancient Danish and Faroese hunting weapons and accessories, from traps to decoys, as well as forestry tools past and present, from simple saws to modern chainsaws.

Although there is plenty here to entertain adults, the museum provides many attractions purely for kids. They can dress up like Stone Age hunters or lumberjacks, track animals, learn to saw up logs and take a ride on tractors. There are special exhibitions and activities for families, from clambering across rope ladders to learning about native animals in their natural habitat.

Cushendun, derived from the Irish for "Foot of the Dun" for its position at the mouth of the River Dun, has long been a safe harbor for travelers between Ireland and Scotland. The village was erected in 1912, based on the villages of Cornwall in England for Ronald John McNeill, Baron Cushendun. Initially consisting of a town square and seven houses, it was expanded with quaint whitewashed cottages. The town's harbor features the ruins of the 14th-century Carra Castle, and regular ferry service once ran between Cushendun and Scotland, up until the Great Famine in the 1840s.

 

The area of Cushendun has long been a favorite among artists, writers and painters. Notable artists who drew their inspiration from the region include poets Moira O'Neill and John Masefield and painters such as Humbert Craig, Maurice Canning Wilks, Theo Gracy and Charles McAuley.

Of the scenic Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, Dún Aonghasa is the most visited prehistoric fort of the area. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it has become a notable place for visitors from all over the country and the world. The semi-circular stone fort dates back to the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, offering a glimpse into a rarely seen part of history. It is named for "Aonghus mac Úmhóra," a mythical Irish king and pre-Christian god. Its multiple ancient stone walls, stairwells, and chambers create enclosure and different layers to explore. 

It is still unknown exactly when and for what purpose Dún Aonghasa was originally constructed. Part of the structure has collapsed into the sea, adding to the site's mystery and intrigue. Aside from its archaeological and historic importance the fort offers some of the most beautiful panoramic views in all of Ireland, with spectacular sights of the coastline and surrounding sea.

Considering Corrieshalloch Gorge is such a beautiful spot, full of Caledonian pines and rare Atlantic lichen, it might come as a surprise that its name is actually Gaelic for "Ugly Hollow." Created at the end of the last Ice Age, the gorge is one of Britain's most impressive box canyons. Carved by glacial meltwaters that burst through the Scottish Highlands over 12,000 years ago, today you can walk the trails along the top of the mossy gorge and get great views down the 60-meter deep crevice, where the Droma river flows in a chain of waterfalls until it makes its most impressive roar of all, in a 46-meter plunge from the Falls of Measach. 

 

If you just want to check out the waterfall and head back, follow the trail to the small suspension bridge 300 meters from the car park. From here, you'll get great views of the rushing waters and surrounding woods.

Fit and intrepid travelers can hike along scenic trails to the top of Dajti Mountain, a 1,613-meter tall peak. But those who prefer to take in nature in a more leisurely way can still access all this beautiful destination has to offer, thanks to the Dajti Express Cable Car that provides a fast-track option straight to the top.

Travelers who opt for the 15-minute ride will gain access to epic views that include the Adriatic Sea, the Port of Durres and more. Visitors can wander through shaded forests and even picnic atop this popular peak.

A rather niche museum housed in a Neo-classical country house in Copenhagen's affluent Frederiksberg district, the Revue Museum (Revymuseet) is dedicated to 150 years of Danish humor and the country's long tradition of producing satirical and comical revues.

The intriguing collection grew from the private collection of Ida and Bent From, who were famous as actors on Copenhagen's revue stages in the 1960s; with artifacts dating back to 1849, displays includes Art Nouveau revue posters, elaborate fur-lined costumes that sparkle with jewels, set designs, props and a series of ornate, pierrot-style face masks.

Highlights include more than 100 film clips from popular revues and silent movies, sound recordings, play manuscripts and many comical black-and-white images of stars of the Danish revue. Special exhibitions are organized to celebrate great figures of Danish comedy including actors Marguerite Viby and Osvald Helmuth. The museum also has a schedule of themed, guided tours and a program of contemporary satirical reviews and cabarets (tickets extra). Combine a visit with a visit to the nearby Storm P Museum, which is dedicated to Danish satirist Robert Storm Petersen, or stroll around nearby Frederiksberg Have (gardens), which are included on several cycling tours of the city.

As one of Spain's most famous tablaos (flamenco clubs), the Corral de la Morería in Madrid has been producing flamboyant and moving flamenco performances for nearly 60 years. Thanks to its reputation, the Corral de la Morería attracts its fair share of world-renowned dancers as well as the occasional A-List celebrity spotted among the audience.

With seating around individual tables for a capacity of just 140, the club feels intimate and cozy, furnished in simple rustic style and with great views of the small stage from all sides. With two shows lasting over an hour every night, each featuring 11 performers, revered names from the world of flamenco who have danced their wild, passionate flamenco here include Blanca del Rey and Antonio Gades. The current artistic director, Blanca del Rey, has also received many awards for the stunning choreography of the flamenco shows.

While it is wise to opt for a drink-and-dance combination-ticket and eat elsewhere when visiting many of Madrid's flamenco clubs, the cuisine in Corral de la Morería is far superior to most, giving visitors the chance to sample a contemporary take on traditional Spanish dishes such as Iberian ham and Galician lamb, accompanied by fine Rioja wines. However, factor in all the costs and don't expect entertainment at this gold-standard level to come in cheap!

Founded in 1859, Copenhagen Zoo is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe. The animal inhabitants of the 27-acre (11-hectare) zoo span all corners of the globe, including rare and endangered species such as polar bears, rhinoceros, giraffe, zebra, and lions. 

Marvel at local wildlife in the dedicated Nordic area, which houses reindeer, muskox, brown bears, and gray wolves. Other highlights include the Elephant House, designed by legendary British architect Sir Norman Foster to house the zoo's Asian elephant breeding program, the kids' favorite Hippopotamus House, and a collection of native Oceanic animals, including the only Tasmanian devils to be found in captivity outside of Tasmania.

Most Copenhagen hop-on, hop-off bus tours visit the zoo along with city highlights such as the Carlsberg Brewery in Vesterbro, the Little Mermaid statue, Tivoli Gardens, City Hall, and the National Aquarium Denmark. Admission to the zoo is also included with a Copenhagen Card. 

While hop-on, hop-off bus tours provide easy transportation to Copenhagen Zoo and other city attractions, it's also possible to arrive via public transportation. Bus 6A from Central Station stops right at the zoo, and you can also take the train from Valby Station or the metro from Fasanvej Station. Paid parking is available opposite the main entrance along Roskildevej and Sdr. Fasanvej.

The Copenhagen Zoo is open daily and hours vary by season. Ticket sales close 30 minutes to one hour before zoo closing time, depending on the season. Animal feeding times vary weekly but are listed on the website a few days ahead of time. 

Copenhagen Zoo is located inside the Frederiksberg Gardens (Frederiksberg Have), one of the city's largest green spaces. Here you can find a romantic landscape complete with lakes, canals, winding paths, and even a Chinese gazebo and waterfall. The vast park provides an escape from the city bustle and is a popular spot to sunbathe and picnic during good weather. 

No one knows quite how Cromwell's Bridge in Kenmare got its name, but it likely wasn't named after Oliver Cromwell. One popular theory about the stone bridge is that it was named "˜croimeal,' the Gaelic word for "˜mustache,' but when English-speakers overheard locals talking about the bridge, they assumed they were saying "˜Cromwell."

However it got its name, Cromwell's Bridge is one of several beautiful and ancient sites along the scenic Ring of Kerry. It's located just outside the village of Kenmare near the Stone Circle, making it a convenient stop for visitors passing through the area.

Ireland's capital city is an important stop for cruise liners on round-the-world, transatlantic, and European routes. Not only do cruisers disembarking in Dublin have easy access to all of the city's top sights"”from Dublin Castle to Trinity College and the Book of Kells"”but they can also head to day-trip destinations outside the capital.

 

Cruisers disembarking in Dublin can choose between a range of shore excursions and tours. Popular destinations include the Guinness Storehouse, the Jameson Distillery, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and shopping districts including Grafton Street and Temple Bar. Visitors can also join half-day and day tours that venture to scenic locales outside the city, such as Glendalough in County Wicklow, the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, or even Belfast and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

 

 

Cruise ships docking in Dublin typically arrive at either Alexandra Quay in Dublin Port, about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) from the city center; or Dun Laoghaire Port, about 7.4 miles (12 kilometers) from the city center. Many cruise companies provide shuttle buses to the city center.

 

Alternatively, from the Dublin Port, head for the Point Luas Stop, situated opposite the entrance on East Wall Road, and ride the Red Line Luas tram to Abbey Street. From Dun Laoghaire Port, ride the Dart train to Pearse or Tara Street stations.

 

Free Wi-Fi is available at Terminal One in Dublin Port. Taxis are readily available at the port. Tourist information offices can be found on O'Connell Street and Suffolk Street in Dublin city center, and on Marine Road in Dun Laoghaire. The official currency is the euro and English is readily spoken.

Known for its neoclassic architecture and fine acoustics, the Victorian Customs House stands in central Belfast, and hosts regular outdoor musical events. The Italianate-style building boasts a traditionally ornamental facade, which contrasts with the modern city Belfast is today, providing excellent photo opportunities.

The Customs House steps and its adjacent square have long been popular spots for protests, public discussions, and speeches, ideas immortalized in the bronze statue of the "speaker." Take advantage of a hop-on hop-off tour to take a stroll through the square, posing for snaps and exploring up close, or absorb wider panoramas of the iconic landmark aboard a river cruise. 

Hop-on hop-off tours stop nearby, allowing easy transfer between central locations, and cruises along the River Lagan also provide impressive views of the landmark. The 505, 507, 512, and 600 buses serve Queens Square directly from Europa Bus Centre. Avoid driving if possible. 

The steps and square are both accessible throughout the year, though summer tends to bring more music and live events, which offer an immersive way to experience the landmark away from the winter drizzle.

The Customs House is the work of architect Charles Lanyon, but it's not his only impact on the city. Belfast Castle and the main building of Queen's University, both his designs, are well worth a visit for insight into his signature style. 

Copenhagen cruise port is a bustling travel hub. Over 300 ships arrive in Denmark's capital every year"”a city famous for its seamless urban design, 17th- and 18th-century architecture, and thriving bike culture. The port is a great starting point for cruises to the Baltics, St. Petersburg, Britain, and even Greenland. 

After arriving at Copenhagen cruise port, you can head off on a city sightseeing shore excursion to see highlights such as Tivoli Gardens, an iconic Danish amusement park; Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament; and the changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace, the Danish royal family residence since the late 18th century. You can also opt for a harbor cruise along the canals of the Christianshavn and Frederiksholm districts, passing by colorfully painted townhouses, bobbing houseboats, and the legendary Little Mermaid statue. For a more personalized experience, hop-on hop-off tours allow you to see Copenhagen on your own schedule. 

Arriving in Copenhagen, you will disembark at either Langelinie Pier, Nordre Toldbod, or the Ocean Quay terminal. Langelinie Pier and Nordre Toldbod are both within a 30-minute walk of the city center, but you can also take bus 26, which runs every 20 minutes. City bikes are available near Langelinie Pier"”you can check one out for the day if you prefer to pedal your way around Copenhagen. From Ocean Quay, take bus 27 to Osterport Station. From there, you can get to the city center in 10 minutes by bus or S-train. Taxis are also available at all three piers. 

The local language in Copenhagen is Danish, but most locals speak at least some English. The currency is the krone, and credit cards are accepted throughout the city.

Part zoo and part theme park, Drayton Manor opened in 1949 as a kiddie heaven, with a whole host of fun-filled, themed rides and activities for toddlers.

Thomas Land features the steadfast favorite character Thomas the Tank Engine and is expressly aimed at small children. Attractions include carousels, soft-floor adventure playgrounds, Winston's Monorail and Bertie Bus; kids can also sing along with the Fat Controller at live musical shows. All children will love the zoo for its colorful parrots, meercats, tigers, kangaroos, monkeys and reptiles, while other family-centric sights include the Dino Trail, penny slots and crazy golf. But there's plenty for older kids too: water rides and adrenaline-pumping roller coasters include the Bounty Pirate Ship, Pandemonium and Shockwave. 

Indoor attractions for rainy days include a 4D cinema, bumper cars, haunted houses and a pirate adventure. A chairlift transports families across the 247-acre (100-hectare) park, while the Polperro Express trundles around the grounds. Catering outlets dot the park, along with the Thomas the Tank Engine souvenir store, and there's even luxury accommodation at Drayton Manor Hotel.

Milan is known as Italy's fashion capital, and there are several areas in the city known for shopping. One street with a particularly high concentration of clothing stores is Corso Buenos Aires.

The Corso Buenos Aires is a major thoroughfare in central Milan, running from Piazzale Loreto in northeast Milan toward the cathedral in the heart of the city. Closest to the Duomo, the street turns into Corso Venezia.

Unlike the cobblestone lanes of the Quadrilatero d'Oro shopping district, Corso Buenos Aires is a broad street that's busy with traffic - but it's also packed with shops. This street is said to have Europe's densest population of clothing stores. These are primarily ready-to-wear instead of the high-end fashion on display in the Quadrilatero d'Oro.

While mainly known as a shopping destination, Corso Buenos Aires also has several hotel options and is not far from the main train station in the city, Milano Centrale. Where the street becomes Corso Venezia is also one corner of the large park that includes the Museo Civico and a planetarium.