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Europe at Present [Spring 2003]


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FRANCE


According to the World Tourism Organisation France remains the world top tourist destination. The French government reports that about 75 million people visited this country last year, which is much more than for example in Spain (50 million), the US (45 million), Italy (40 million) or China (33 million)567. France is undoubtedly living now the real breakdown of foreign visitors showing that more than 88% come from Europe, about 7% from both Americas and only 4% from Asia and Oceania. Getting the biggest number of foreign tourists it became the second country in the world behind the US for the tourism income. In 1998 France reached nearly 30 million Euros568. It is clear that for France tourism is economically very very important.

Every year millions of tourists come to visit the land of high fashion, fairytale castles, fine wine and good food. This is what is the largest country in Western Europe – the home to more than 58 million people.

Whatever Baudelaire might say, travellers know exactly why they are going to France. With the world's grandest art museums, an infinite number of châteaux, and all the glorious vestiges of aristocratic life, France arguably remains the cultural capital of the world. “The French reign supreme in the smaller details of life, creating the most impossibly intricate pastries, the most prestigious wines, the most elegant cuts of clothing, and raises them all to the level of an aesthetic experience.”569 And if that isn't quite enough, there is simply nothing comparable to France's natural beauty: the breathtakingly misty isles off Brittany, the lush rows of vines in sleepy towns in Alsace, the dazzling turquoise beaches of the Riviera, the fields of lavender and poppies in Provence570.

Much French art and culture is concentrated in Paris which is Europe’s fashion centre and the birthplace of modern art. The famous city of lovers is France’s glittering showcase, where each area has left its handiwork571. The region encircling Paris is dotted with royal chateaux and gardens, including Fontainebleau and Versailles. Here, too, you can find the soaring Gothic monuments like the sublime cathedrals at Chartres, Bourges, Beauvais and Reims.

During the Renaissance, the French nobility moved southwest, down the gentle valley of the Loire, France's longest river. The lively cities of Tours and Angers provide excellent bases to visit scores of majestic chateaux filled with art, tapestries, and frescoes.

North of the Loire, Brittany has preserved its Celtic character. Its lovely coastline is dotted with traditional fishing villages, its landmarks are stone megaliths, erected some 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. Normandy, just to the east, is the land of cheese and apples and monuments left by the medieval Normans, as well the D-Day beaches and other sites associated with the World War II.

The regions north and east of Paris, around Epernay, are the land of Champagne. Alsace-Lorraine, along the German border, has its own cuisine and Strasbourg is the seat of the European parliament. Burgundy, with its famous wine, romanesque art, and Dijon mustard is to the south.

South of Burgundy, Lyon, on the river Rhone, is one of the culinary capitals of France. East of Lyon tower the majestic French Alps, one of the nation's summer and winter playgrounds; to the west the mountains of the Massif Central include the beautiful extinct volcanoes of the Auvergne around Le Puy.

On the Mediterranean, the Cote d'Azur (the French Riviera) and Provence are among the most beautiful regions, where medieval hill villages, olive groves, lavender, and sunflowers combine with the sizzling attractions of Nice, Monte Carlo, St. Tropez, and Antibes. West of Provence towards Spain, Languedoc-Roussillon is famous for the Roman Pont du Gard and arena at Nimes. Then there is the mountainous, lushly forested Corsica, the "Isle of Beauty," which is just off the Southern Coast572.

The Pyrenees, Gascony, and Aquitaine in southwest France also get plenty of sun. This is the land of Bordeaux, the world's largest wine region, rose-colored Toulouse, thousands of medieval chateaux and villages, prehistoric caves, and huge Atlantic beaches573.

It is commonly known that whether it’s a year in Provence, a weekend in Paris, or a fortnight in the Pyrenees, France is just waiting to be discovered! France is synonymous with style. From the wide, tree-lined boulevards of its sophisticated and exciting capital city to the breathtaking Loire Valley castles and the glittering Cote d’Azur with its air of faded grandeur and romance, it is not hard to see why France has enchanted generations of visitors.

I will now try to describe the most interesting sites in France, the most frequently visited ones. They are generally considered to be the biggest French tourist attractions that I also think are really worth seeing.

To one of them surely belong the Loire Valley. It was the capital of the French aristocracy from the 15th to 18th centuries and the area is dotted with the most beautiful castles in France. The most famous chateaux include Angers, Chinon, Chambord, Chenonceau, Saumur and Villandry. A tour of the Castles over several days is highly recommended and in summer many of them play host to outdoor spectacles of music, dance and fireworks. The town of Chartres, with its magnificent 13th-century cathedral, is regarded as Europe's most superb Gothic building. The United Nations has designated the Cathedral an international cultural heritage site574. Make sure to visit the ‘Maison de Jeanne d’Arc’ in Orleans, which honours her life and times. The Loire Valley is regarded as the "garden of France," so make sure to savour the very affordable and delicious foods and wines of the regions – bon apetit!

The stretch of coastline from Toulon to the Italian border has long cast a spell on visitors. Known as the Cote d’Azur or the French Riviera, it boasts beautiful sunshine, chic towns and villages, azure-blue sea, a spectacular coastline and an almost tangible sense of romance. The glamorous towns of Antibes, Juan-Les-Pines, Saint Tropez, Nice and Monaco are synonymous with style and beauty.

The best idea is to start the exploration of the Cote d’Azur in its capital - Nice. A town of broad palm-fringed avenues and grand hotels, of fine restaurants and outstanding museums, its spectacular quality of light has long been an inspiration for artists and musicians. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, sip an aperitif in the pink-domed Hotel Negresco and marvel at the paintings in the city’s Matisse Museum. Head west down the coast for the beautiful sandy beaches and narrow winding streets of Antibes. Here it is possible to find out easily why the town so enchanted artists like Picasso and Nicolas de Stael.



Experience a slice of lively nightlife in Juan les Pins before bracing yourself for the outrageously expensive chic boutiques and restaurants of Cannes. Famous for its film festival in mid-May, Cannes is probably one of the best cities in the world for people-watching. Stroll down the impressive palm-fringed Boulevard de la Croisette and take in the style, glitter and wealth all around you. Journey 15 kilometres north of Cannes to Grasse, one of the most important perfume-producing centres in France. The heady smell of perfume wafts through the town. Visit one of the three perfumeries open to the public and discover how it is made. Travel west further down the coast, past the towns of Frejus and St. Raphael until you come to St.Tropez. Immortalized in the film “Et Dieu Crea la Femme” with Brigitte Bardot, it is an alluring little town immensely popular with the jet set. Watch them dine on their huge yachts before strolling down the Quai Jean Jaures to choose a restaurant for yourself. Journeying east of Nice you’ll discover the gem of a town that is Villefranche-sur-Mer. With a tiny little port, a 16th century citadel and church and a beautiful beach, it has a relaxed and laid-back feel. Ideal for recuperating in after a night on the town in Nice! The seaside resort of Saint Jean-Cap Ferrat is situated on the attractive wooded peninsula of Cap Ferrat. Travel east again to the beautiful town of Eze lying on a rocky hilltop above the sea. Travel through Menton to the tiny principality of Monaco. Walk up the hill to glamorous Monte Carlo - famous for its casino, royal palace and the Formula 1 Grand Prix held each May. Visit the palace’s state apartments, watch people gamble for high stakes in the gaming rooms of the casino, have a drink in the world-famous Hotel de Paris. A stay on the Cote d’Azur makes returning home particularly difficult!

The French capital is one of the most stimulating cities on earth. Although described countless times, words still fail to capture the exact quality that renders Paris enduringly seductive575. Is it the elegance of the tree-lined boulevards? The radiance of the light? The magnificence of the architecture? The style and ambience of the cafes? You’ll never find out if you don’t come..

Biarritz is a sophisticated coastal town in French Basque Country, which first became popular with the aristocracy and then with wealthy British tourists in the mid-19th century, when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with this part of the Basque country and built a Palace on the beach at what is now the world class Hotel de Paris. Today, Biarritz draws a cosmopolitan crowd from all over the world. The beaches, casinos, golf courses and surfing spots have made it a haven for outdoor-loving sun worshippers. Make a visit to the Museum of the Sea, which contains a vast aquarium and research centre.

The Chateau at Versailles is one of the most stunningly beautiful attractions in France. Built by Louis XIV in just 40 years, it was designed to be the court and the capital of France. Versailles is of gigantic proportions (the western facade is nearly 2,000 feet wide) and masterpieces by French artists and craftsmen were used by Louis XIV to showcase the power of the French Monarchy. Being in France it is impossible not to visit the splendid Galerie des Glaces, the Salon d'Apollon, the Royal Chapel and the Petit Appartement. There is also a park of over 200 acres surrounding the Chateaux. There you can find the Grand Trianon, Louis XIV's summer private residence and the Petit Trianon, built by Louis XV and which became Marie-Antoinette's favourite retreat.

Even if you are not a devout Catholic, or seeking miraculous cures, Lourdes is a fascinating stop on any itinerary. Just over six million Catholic pilgrims arriving each year can’t be wrong! Lourdes was little more than a village in 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous experienced the first of eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary in a spot called the Grotte de Massabielle. You can visit the Grotto and the Shrine, reputed to seat over 20,000 people at one time576. Visit any of the hundreds of shops which sell innumerable, and sometimes very kitsch religious souvenirs. Lourdes is not only a pilgrimage city, it is also a very charming little Pyrenean town. Wander through the town and discover a very rich historical and natural heritage from the fortified castle to the Pic du Jer, as well as Lourdes Lake and the many very interesting private museums.

Created in 1967, the Pyrenees National Park extends about 100km along the French-Spanish border and covers an area of 460 sq km. The park contains an amazing array of high-altitude lakes and contains the highest point in the French Pyrenees, the 3300m Sommet du Vignemale. The protected fauna of the park include the brown bear, lynx, chamois, marmot and endangered birds of prey such as the bearded vulture and golden eagle. The park is popular for rock-climbing and hiking and there are many marked trails, some of which are linked with Spain. Why not stay in one of the well-known mountain cabins, basic accommodation which will get you truly back to nature.

Mont St. Michel is a small quasi island off the coast of Normandy. It is separated by approximately one kilometre of sea from the mainland at high tide. This tiny outcrop of rock sports a massive abbey featuring a number of architectural styles. It is topped by a copper statue of Michael the Archangel killing a dragon and tailed by ancient ramparts and the houses of people who actually live on the island. Try and see Mont St Michel at night when it is brilliantly illuminated.

Setting of the 1944 D-Day landings, home to the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry and producer of the fiery apple brandy known as Calvados, the historic northern region of Normandy is a perfect location for a holiday. Offering a magnificent coastline, interesting towns and villages and the truly spectacular Mont Saint Michel, Normandy is universally appealing.



The city of Rouen is the capital of the region. The old part of town was heavily destroyed in World War II but has since been carefully restored. Visit the Place du Vieux Marche where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431. Roeun’s Cathedrale Notre Dame is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. Built between 1200 and 1514, it fascinated the artist Claude Monet who made it the subject of many of his paintings. Take a trip to the village of Giverny nearby and visit the house where the artist lived from 1883 to 1926. He painted some of his most famous works here. The old seaside resort of Dieppe is well worth a visit, particularly for its dramatic location between two limestone cliffs. Journey south from Dieppe to Etretat down the Cote d’Albatre (Alabaster Coast), named after the towering white cliffs that line it. Stop off in the picturesque seaside resorts of Honfleur, Deauville and Trouville for a swim or to sample some local cuisine. Journey inland to the famous town of Bayeux. The first French town to be liberated from Nazi rule during World War II, it is home to the Bayeux Tapestry. Dating from 1077, the tapestry tells the story of the dramatic Norman invasion of 1066 in 58 remarkable panels. View this extraordinary piece of history in the Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in the Centre Guillaume le Conquerant.

On 6 June 1944 - D-Day - 135,000 Allied troops stormed ashore on the beaches of Normandy. This action was to effectively bring the war to an end with the Allies going on to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. The troops came ashore along 80km of beach north of Bayeux. The fiercest fighting took place at Omaha Beach - a stretch of coastline 15km north-west of Bayeux. Stroll along these peaceful beaches today and try and imagine what it must have been like to have been a soldier wading to shore on that fateful morning. The Musee du Debarquement in Arromanches explains the importance of the invasion and is well worth a visit. Bring your trip to Normandy to a spectacular end by visiting Mont St. Michel - a small quasi island in the west of the region, separated by approximately one kilometre of sea from the mainland at high tide577. This tiny outcrop of rock sports a massive abbey featuring a number of architectural styles. It is topped by a copper statue of Michael the Archangel killing a dragon and tailed by ancient ramparts and the houses of people who actually live on the island. Try and see Mont St Michel at night when it is brilliantly illuminated.



One of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world, the French Alps stretch from Lake Geneva in the north to Provence in the South. The area is divided into two regions - Savoy and Dauphiné. Savoy is home to Europe’s highest mountain - Mont Blanc. Whether you’re a ski enthusiast, a hiking fanatic or just want to enjoy the stunning scenery, this part of France will provide you with unforgettable memories for years to come.

The city of Grenoble is the capital of the Alps. Enjoying a spectacular setting surrounded by Alpine peaks, Grenoble is a university city with a progressive reputation. It is home to a number of interesting museums including the Musee de Grenoble which boasts an excellent collection of modern art. The attractive town of Chamonix lies at the base of Mont Blanc. A winter ski resort since the turn of the century, the town has nine ski areas. Check out the huge Mer de Glace glacier - the second largest in the Alps. You can actually go inside it at the Grotte de la Mer de Glace. The area around Chamonix also boasts some of the best hiking trails in the Alps. Savour the traditional Alpine village atmosphere of places like Morzine and Megeve.



Corsica is known as “l’ile de beauté” - the island of beauty. An apt name for this Mediterranean gem of fine sandy beaches, azure seas, dense forests, snowcapped mountains and unspoilt countryside. Despite belonging to France, the island’s close affinity with Italy is clearly to be seen in its wealth of Italianate churches and a language that’s closely linked to the Tuscan dialect.

The most mountainous and geographically diverse of all the Mediterranean islands, Corsica has something to offer every kind of tourist be they sun seekers, mountaineers or anglers. The sunny coastal town of Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, is where most people begin their Corsican adventure. Located in a beautiful sweep of bay, Ajaccio is a pastel-coloured city of yachts, pavement cafes, elegant squares and palm trees. Head for the Pointe de la Parata, a wild black-granite headland west of the city, famous for its spectacular sunsets. A group of small islands known as the Iles Sanguinaires are visible offshore and turn a beautiful deep red as the sun goes down578. The wildest and most breathtaking coastal scenery can be found running northwards from Ajaccio to Calvi. Don’t miss Les Calanches - the most stunning natural sight in Corsica. Just south of the seaside town of Porto, Les Calanches is a dramatic mountain landscape of red and orange granite forms in the most amazing and unusual shapes579.

The prosperous citadel town of Calvi is located on top of a promontory in the north-west of the island. The beautiful turquoise waters of the Golfe de Calvi surround the town and the coast between it and l’Ile Rousse to the north is studded with spectacular sandy beaches. Journey to the extreme south of the island to see the Citadelle of Bonafacio which sits precariously on top of a headland of white limestone cliffs. The town retains a medieval atmosphere with its narrow alleyways and stone houses. If you’re a keen hiker, head for the fortified old town of Corte in the centre of the island. As well as being a young, lively town, it makes an excellent base for hiking excursions, ringed as it is with snow-capped mountains.

Occupying the rugged north-western tip of France, Brittany is the wildest and most untamed of all the French regions. Buffeted by the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, the coastline is strewn with lighthouses, rocky coves, windswept heaths, sheltered beaches and charismatic seaside villages. Brittany did not become part of France until 1547. This independence, along with its relative isolation from the rest of the country, has created a distinctive Breton culture, language and heritage closely related to those of Scotland, Cornwall and Ireland.

Brittany is the most popular summer resort area in France after the Cote d’Azur580. The unspoilt white sandy beaches, soaring cliffs and offshore islands attract thousands of tourists each year. Some of the finest beaches in the province include those at Carnac, Quiberon, Saint Malo and Dinard. Dinard has been a seaside resort since the turn of the century. Its belle époque mansions, old-fashioned bathing tents, and elegant cedar trees transport you effortlessly back in time. Carnac is home to some of the world’s most important megalithic sites. The megaliths stretch for 13 kilometres north and east of the town.

Drive around the region’s most western department - Finistere. The most Breton of all the departments in Brittany, it is dotted with appealing fishing villages and boasts a spectacularly rugged coastline. Visit Quimper, the cultural and artistic capital of the department, take in the important naval port of Brest or dine in the windswept Channel port of Roscoff. A trip to the mysteriously beautiful Ile d’Ouessant is a must. Lying 20 kilometres from the mainland, it is a great place to observe Breton traditions and customs. The town of Vannes in south-central Brittany is a lively medieval town with some interesting museums and excellent restaurants. The city of Rennes has been the capital of Brittany since the 16th century. Stop for a coffee in the attractive pedestrianised old city. The Paimpont Forest lies 40 kilometres to the south of Rennes. It is here, according to Arthurian legend, that the young Arthur received the sword Excalibur from the fairy Vivian. Mysterious and enchanting, Brittany is an unforgettable holiday destination.

GERMANY

Germany is located in Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark.Germany encompasses a wide variety of landscapes: mountains, forests, hills, plains, rivers, and seacoasts.It consists of three major geographical regions-lowland plain in the north, an area of uplands in the center, and a mountainous region in the south.581 In the North, "the plain" zone, formed by flat, marshy extensions, high and dry lakes and lands denominated "Geest". The North Sea coast is dominated by the Elbe river, while the coast of the Baltic Sea combines level and sandy zones with imposing cliffs. Off the coast are several islands, including the North Frisian Islands, the East Frisian Islands, Helgoland in the North Sea, and Fehmarn and Rügen in the Baltic Sea. Between both seas, there is a peninsula called "Holstein Switzerland".Towards the south is the region of the "middle mountains", that draw up to a natural border between Northern and Southern Germany, and that continue in the Alps spurs. The most important rivers are: Rhine, flowing to north; Elbe, flowing to northwest; and Danube, flowing to southeast.582

Germany has a mild weather, with hot summers and cold winters, although long periods of freeze or snow are very rare. It rains during the year, specially in July. During the summer, the storms usually bring thunders and lightning storms. 583 The average temperature in July varies from 16°to 20°C according to location. In January, the variation is from 1°to 6°C584. The most reliable weather is from May to October. This coincides, naturally enough, with the standard tourist season (except for skiing). The shoulder periods can bring fewer tourists and surprisingly pleasant weather. There is no special rainy season.585

Tourism in an important pillar of the German economy. It is of particular importance in regions with a less developed industry which are situated from industrial or service-producing locations. There, the income derived from tourism is important to safegueard jobs and to maintain and develop the regional economic power.586 Germany remained the top tourim spender in Europe and is firmly in second place on the list of World’s Tourism Spenders with $ 46.2 billion spent in 2001 and represents one tenth of international tourism expenditure worldwide according to the data of World Tourism Organization (WTO). As far as the number of tourists is concerned, in 2001 more than 17 mln people visited Germany and conduced to the 2001 tourism income of $17.2 billion .587

An important indicator for tourism is the number of overnight stays by tourists. In 2002 326.63 million overnight stays were counted. Regarding the overnights in tourism by Länder Bavaria (74.51 million overnights), Baden-Württemberg (39.29 million), Lower Saxony (33.88 million) were leading.588

BERLIN

Berlin is the heart of Germany and has a special independent länder status. It is a good city to explore on foot. Berlin has a well deserved fame as an European centre of the culture thanks to the so called "museums island", its three opera houses, the Philharmonic Orchestra, its cinemas and theatres, the International Movie Festival, its three universities, the four Fine Arts schools and the 250 extra university research centres. 589


MUNICH


The Bavarian capital – Munich is so attractive for visitors from all over the world because of its special “Munich mix” that combines big city flair and rural charm, Alpine heartiness and Mediterranean chic, art treasures and Oktoberfest, traditional customs and hi-tech, beer gardens and haute cuisine, opera and Art Park. The Munich’s most famous landmarks are the Frauenkirche and Marienplatz (St Mary’s Square) which is dominated by the neo-Gothic Town Hall with the glockenspiel in its tower. Worthseeing is also Olympiapark and Stadium. The 3 km2 sports complex was created especially for the 1972 summer Olympics Today, the Olympic complex is a venue for sporting events, concerts, events and festivals that attract thousands of spectators to Munich.590

It is highly recommended to visit Ludwig II’s legacy that consists of three castles he had built near Füssen : Neuschwanstein (which inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle), Hohenschwanstein and Linderhof.591


HAMBURG


The "Free and Hanseatic City" of Hamburg is Germany's second-largest metropolis with one of Europe's biggest ports. Hamburg is now a city of palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades, international musicals, extravagant shopping malls. Hamburg is also Germany's greenest city, with many spacious lawns and lovely parks.592 Nevertheless, it’s worth the trouble to know St Michael church, with his 132 m tower and good panoramic views of the city; the old Post House Office, now an elegant commercial centre; the building of the City Council and the House of Chile, a red brick building of expressionist style. But the true enchantment of Hamburg is in its harbor zone, with the Clock tower, the green cupola of St Pauli Landungsbrücken, the old warehouses and the Freihafen.593 There are 31 theaters in Hamburg, 6 musical performing halls, 10 cabarets as well as 50 public and private museums.

FRANKFURT UPON MAIN


Frankfurt upon Main is the financial (the seat of the European Central Bank) 594and geographical centre of western Germany. Its inhabitants produce a disproportionately large part of Germany's wealth, and over 10% of the city's taxes are devoted to culture; the richest collection of museums in the country can be found here.595 In all, the city has over 40 museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Kunsthalle Schirn (art), the Städelsches Kunstinstitut (art) and the German Cinema Museum. 596

Frankfurt is an ideal base for short sightseeing trips to the nearby Taunus Mountains and Odenwald Forest.


COLOGNE


Cologne is 2,000-year-old Roman sites, mighty Romanesque churches, medieval houses, lively shopping streets, super-modern architecture, museums and art galleries. A centre of business and the media and a major trade fair venue. It is a major centre of the art world and venue of the international Art Cologne fair. Countless art galleries and over 30 outstanding museums, including the Museum Ludwig (modern art), the Wallraf-Richartz Museum (14-19C art), the Römisch-Germanisches Museum (Roman and Germanic history) and the Schnütgen Museum (6-19C religious art).

Other attractions are :Germany’s biggest cathedral, unique ensemble of 12 great Romanesque churches in the innercity, Kölner Philharmonie (one of Europe’s top concert halls, around 400 events every year), Imhoff-Stollwerck Chocolate Museum, Rheingarten and Old Town. 597


DRESDEN


Dresden, founded in 1206, is a metropolis of unique art treasures and lively culture.598

It offers a unique blend of stunning architecture, world-famous art collections and living traditions in both music and the fine arts - plus the great natural beauty of the countryside along the Elbe river. Dresden's highlights include the magnificent palatial buildings around the Theaterplatz and the Brühl Terraces, and the many art treasures at the state museums.

To the most important attractions belong: the Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace with the Old Masters Gallery (the most important late Baroque building in Germany), Semper Opera House (modelled after the late Renaissance style).599

Located on the Rhine, Düsseldorf made a name for itself as a city of fashion and culture.600

It offers the visitor eighteen museums, the German Opera House, countless theatres large and small and numerous other attractions as the Old Town, schloss Benrath (one of the most beautiful surviving examples of Rococo architecture), Kunstsammlung Nord-Rhein-Westfallen (one of the world’s most prestigious modern art museums).601

STUTTGART


Stuttgart has one of the most beautiful settings in all Europe, surrounded by a wonderful panorama of rolling green hills, forests and vineyards. This exciting and lively city also has many attractions for visitors within its borders, with sights including two castles, theoutstanding Staatsgalerie art museum and the unique combined zoo and botanical gardens. This motor industry town (museums of the world’s oldest car manufacturer- Mercedes-Benz and the famous sports car manufacturer – Porsche)is also a centre of Germany's lively musical scene. 602

Tourism traffic is not only directed towards beautiful cities but also towards scenic landscapes. Germany offers travellers a lot of nature and interesting landscapes, many of which have remained unspoilt by man. In order to preserve these natural areas for humankind, it has been necessary to take special protective measures. Therefore, a large number of vast protective areas have been created in Germany, all worthwhile visiting. Germany´s nature parks, biosphere reserves and national parks are havens consisting of valuable natural and cultivated landscapes. Some of these protected areas are unique worldwide. Natural parks cover areas that are protected because of their beautiful landscape and their special recreational value for the people.603 Agriculture and forestry are not restricted there, Furthermore, nature parks are developed for recreational purposes with parking spaces, hiking trails, tourist routes for motorists, view points, shelters, park, benches, nature trails, trim trails, recreational facilities, sunbathing lawns, as well as accommodation in hotels, guest houses, and youth hostels. In contrast to natural parks that serve mainly recreational and leisure needs, national parks are founded for the protection of plants, animals and typical landscapes from exploitation and extinction.604 National parks (e.g., Nationalpark Harz or Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeer) are ‘legally fixed, homogeneously protected areas that are extensive and of special kind and reach the expectations of a nature reserve in most of their territory.

Germany has more than 90 nature parks, 13 biosphere reserves and 13 national parks, which are all internationally recognized.605

One in every three Germans is a member of a sporting club, so it’s not surprising that the to the tourism destinations belong also sport areas. Cycling is a favoured recreation, with many western German cities and the countryside cycling trails. Eastern German back roads can be great for cycling too. Hikers are well catered for with marked trails in the Black forest, the Harz mountains, the bavarian Alps. Germany’s rivers and lakes are great for boating, with cruises operating around Berlin and Potsdam, the huge lakes in southern Germany and the Baltic Sea. Sailing and windsurfing are popular leisure pursuits, especially on Lake Constance in the South.606

Germany is worth a trip not only from May to November but also in winter.The winter sport areas have much to offer: Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice skating, snow-hiking, curling and much more. The winter sport areas are conveniently situated and easy to reach by car, train and airplane. To the winter sport areas belong : Bavarian Alps, Bavarian Forest, Allgäu, Erzgebirge, the Black Forest, Harz, Sauerland, Thuringian Forest.

In the middle of the Bavarian Alps, an hour drive south of Munich and the airport, lies Garmisch-Partenkirchen with the biggest ski-jump in Germany. It is actually an Olympic ski-jump that was built for the 1936 Olympic games. 607Garmisch-Partenkirschen with the Zugspitze(Germany’s highest mountain) offers excellent snow conditions November through May. The Germany's highest ski area is located on a glacier at an altitude of 2,000 - 2,830 meters (6,000 - 8,490 feet.). 608

The tourists are also attracted by the graet number of festivals that are held in Germany. The Germans are keen to party. The Winter Carnival (Fasching) season occurs throughout Germany, with big cities such as Cologne, Munich and Mainz erupting into commotion just before Ash Wednesday. Germany's rich musical heritage is showcased in a plethora of festivals. Some towns concentrate on a particular composer, such as the Thuringian Bach Festival in March or the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth each July, whereas others focus on a particular style. The jazz festivals in Stuttgart (April) and Berlin (November) are lively and popular. 609 Berlin is also known for Berlin Film Festival, the second largst film festival in the world that is held in February. Mention must be made of Munich. The city is best known abroad for this annual 16-day celebration of beer known as the Oktoberfest. Beer lovers from all over the world gather in Munich to hear the traditional Bavarian cry of "O'zapft is" which means 'the keg is tapped', signalling the start of the city's annual Oktoberfest. Christmas fairs are held by German families, including those in Munich, Nuremberg, Lübeck, Berlin, Münster and Heidelberg. 610

Germany is worthseeing in every year season. Elegant big-city charm, a wealth of art and culture, peace of beautiful landscapes, as well as a winter paradise and a festivals’ confusion can be experienced here. No visitor will remain untouched by this country.


FINLAND

Finland is a Nordic country situated between the 60th and 70th degrees of Northern latitude. Finland's land area is 338 000 sq.km (130 500 sq. miles), making it the 7th largest country in Europe. Of the total 10% is water, 69% forest and 8% cultivated land.611

Finland is a country for the discerning vacationer; a country that offers a wide array of holiday options for the special-interest traveler looking for something original, something not likely to be found elsewhere.

Finland is not a land of mass tourism, nor does it aspire to that position. Finland gives the holiday visitor a chance to experience a lifestyle that is not on offer where the masses assemble. If you want to get away from noise and traffic and overcrowded beaches, you can go to Finland.

Let me start with some of the simple things, the ones that can be the most rewarding. If your preference is for an unspoiled landscape of lakes, rivers, forests, meadows and fells, Finland is for you. If you love outdoor sports; fell walking, sailing, cruising, canoeing or cycling - come in summer. If you would rather try a bracing breakaway on skis, snowmobile or reindeer sled - make it winter.

Nature is not Finland's only attraction. People who come here do not do it for a single, exclusive reason, like pilgrims. And before describing major attraction in Finland let me introduce some reasons for visiting Finland. The Finnish Tourist Board has identified a range of Finland's assets that appeal to different nationalities.612

As far as Swedes are concerned they go for a romantic and exotic Finland that they find on the sea crossing aboard the luxury ferries that sail between Finland and Sweden every day of the year. Eating well, drinking, dancing and shopping tax-free all add to the experience.613

Italians, individualists that they are, look for something out of the ordinary. The Tourist Board has discovered that what Italians enjoy most about Finland is the straightforwardness and friendliness of the people. Finnish-Italian friendship apparently flourishes regardless of language differences.614

In fact, language is not much of a problem in Finland. The inability to speak Finnish is certainly not a drawback because virtually all Finns know some foreign language and many of them speak several. English is the most widespread foreign language and Swedish has the special status of being the country's second official language. Then there are plenty of folks who know some German or French. Returning to the Italians for a moment; they like good food and friendly service and they find both in farmhouse holidays out in the lovely Finnish countryside.615

The Germans have known Finland as a holiday destination for years and they like to come here for what they call Natur mit Unterhaltung, which one could translate as "nature with amenities". These are such luxuries as time to think, the colors of nature, interesting outdoor pursuits, good food, entertainment and the Finnish winter. The Germans know that Finland is country where the people know how to live with snow and how to make winter fun for visitors. The British, too, have learned something appealing about the Finish Winter. They know that Santa Claus lives in Finnish Lapland and British families fly there in increasing numbers to meet him during the Christmas season.616

If you would rather come to Finland by sea than by air one of the best ways is aboard one of the many Finnish ships that sail daily to and from Germany. They are cargo vessels that offer high quality accommodation and gourmet food for passengers who appreciate a bit of seclusion. The ferries provide the most enjoyable, if boisterous, route to Finland via Sweden. And obviously you can fly there in two or three hours from most European capitals.

The Finland's strategy includes highlighting excellent transport and communication services, its stable political culture, personal safety and uncluttered roads. These are positive features for visitors from countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Britain whose high population densities make Finland's modest 17 inhabitants per square kilometer seem like a real luxury.617

Americans have discovered The King’s Way, the historical overland route from Turku, in south-west Finland, to St Petersburg, Russia's second city, some 600 kilometers to the east. Visitors from “the New World” in particular enjoy feeling that, to them, Europe is so old, so traditional, so quaint, so rooted in the past. Now, while I would hesitate to call Finland ”quaint” in the way that some say Britain is, the sense of a bygone world does strike the traveler who walks the ancient streets of Turku or Porvoo or stop to admire the rapids that thunder past the former Russian emperor's fishing lodge outside Kotka, that splendid Finnish seafaring city on the Gulf of Finland, close to the Russian border.618

Finland's history was deeply influenced by its geographical position between Sweden and Russia. Today it is a sovereign republic and a member of the European Union. The King's Way offers a reminder of that long and sometimes turbulent history.

I should not omit one of the most typical events for Finland, which are festivals. Finland, at a guess, has more cultural festivals than any other country of similar population size, some of them consistently offering a level of quality that is regularly praised by the pundits of the press here and abroad. The emphasis in Finland's festival culture is on music, the universal language. Among Finland's most rewarding musical gatherings are the Savonlinna Opera Festival, the Pori Jazz Festival, the Kaustinen Folk Festival and the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival - what a gem that last one is. There's plenty of rock and Finnish tango. There is of course no point in listing them all, Finland Festivals will do that for us. FF is the umbrella organisation that coordinates the lives of dozens of festivals covering virtually every branch of the arts in this country, and it provides information about them and how to get to them.619



Helsinki and Turku: Finland's Capital Assets

Let me now focus on main tourist attractions in Finland. Helsinki, the present capital of Finland on the southern tip of the country, and Turku, the city in the southwest that once held the title, offer first-rate options for unique city breaks. The cities come into their own at the glorious height of summer, when the sun hardly sets. Both are important passenger and commercial ports, and in both the presence of the sea is never far away. The biggest passenger ferries in the world serve their harbors, berthing close to their centers, while a modern and efficient international airport serves each city.

The cities themselves are big enough to offer all the facilities and attractions of a lively metropolis, including excellent riverbank and island restaurants and luxurious hotels. Yet they are also sufficiently compact to explore on foot or by using some of the best-planned public transport in the world. From Helsinki's open-air museum on the Seurasaari island to the Uspenski Cathedral, the biggest Orthodox church in western Europe, and from Turku's medieval castle to its museum ships on the River Aura, these cities have more than enough to occupy a weekend visit. The chances are you'll leave with the intention of coming back for a longer stay.620

If your are looking for a good night out, Helsinki's bars and restaurants are opened until the early hours, or you can relax on one of Turku's bar boats or riverside terraces. Culture vultures have an excellent choice of cinemas, concerts and music festivals, including the Helsinki Festival Weeks in August and the annual Naantali Music Festival near Turku.621


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