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With the New Year comes the urge to plan vacations, and Europe is at the top of the list. To whet your appetite for European adventures, here are a few favorite destinations.
Nuts about Norway
It’s billed as the World’s Most Beautiful Voyage, and it delivers on that promise. For more than 100 years, the Norwegian Coastal Voyage has plied the spectacular Norwegian coastline. What started as a ferry line to provide freight, cargo and passenger service to outlying areas has evolved into a unique travel experience that combines first-class ships with vast distances, dramatic scenery and 34 ports of call. Year-round daily departures from Bergen and Kirkenes enable you to fit a cruise, north or south bound, into your Norway itinerary.
Passengers experience a Norway few travelers see as the ship takes you through narrow channels dwarfed by towering mountains en route to colorful fishing villages and picturesque farms and towns. See the midnight sun in summer, and in the winter, if meteorological conditions are right, the northern lights.
Allow extra days in Oslo and Bergen on either end of the trip to see the cities’ many sights. When traveling between the two cities, try the famous Norway in a Nutshell tour, which includes a breathtaking ride on the Flam Railway. For more than 40 years, Norway in a Nutshell has introduced visitors by train, bus and boat to some of the most beautiful scenery the fjords have to offer.
Swooning for Switzerland
In addition to its year-round scenic beauty, Switzerland offers some of the best chocolate, cheese and wine anywhere. It also abounds with special events, such as Unspunnen, the Swiss Costume and Alpine Festival, which celebrates its bicentennial Sept. 2–4 in Interlaken. Held every 13 years, the Unspunnen festival features the traditional Swiss customs of yodeling, alphorn playing and alpine wrestling. Music, costumes and spectacular mountain views are part of the entertainment. The highlight is the throwing of the Unspunnen stone, weighing no less than 184 pounds. Sturdy alpine herdsmen hurl the stone as far as they can.
This year also brings the 75th anniversary of the Glacier Express. On June 26, 1930, the Glacier Express celebrated its maiden voyage as the first-ever fast through-train service connecting St. Moritz and Zermatt. Today, the Glacier Express is listed among the best rail journeys in the world. The 7 1/2-hour trip crisscrosses the Swiss Alps, passing 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and climbing the 6,708-foot Oberalp Pass.
From June to October, special celebratory itineraries will include:
- the Panorama Glacier Express, with its panorama coach;
- the luxury Alpine Classic Glacier Express with historic Pullman and Gourmino coaches;
- the two-day Nostalgic Glacier Express, a journey on vintage cars from the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway, the Furka steam train and the Rhaetian Railway. The trip will be on original routes of the Glacier Express, staying overnight in the heart of the Alps.
England swings
If you haven’t been to London for a while, you’re in for a treat. On a recent visit after a 15-year hiatus, we enjoyed all the old favorites–changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels–as well as the many new attractions.
On the south bank of the River Thames, the ultra-modern London Eye, billed as the world’s highest observation wheel, offers a bird’s-eye view of London. Also on the south bank is the re-creation of William Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theater, and near that is the Tate Modern art museum, which opened in 2000.
On the north side at the Imperial War Museum, the Sir Winston Churchill Museum will open in February in the Cabinet War Rooms. Dedicated to Churchill’s accomplishments, the museum is opening in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Churchill’s death and the 60th anniversary of the World War II victory.
Every evening, head to the theater. Buy same-day discount tickets at the tkts booth in Leicester Square or the newer location at Canary Wharf in the light rail station.
Awesome Ireland
From the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher to the eye-popping Giant’s Causeway to the starkly beautiful barrenness of the Burren, Mother Nature has blessed the island of Ireland. When viewed from an airplane window, it truly is the Emerald Isle, boasting an entire palette of green hues.
With the cessation of “the Troubles,” visitors can easily cross back and forth between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with no borders and no passports. The only readily visible differences will be a change from miles to kilometers, different postage and currency.
People who have delighted in Dublin, Cork and Kilkenny in the Republic now can sample the pleasures of Northern Ireland towns such as Derry (also called Londonderry), Enniskillen and Belleek.
Whether you stay in a cottage or a castle, a warm Irish welcome awaits. Be sure to sample a Guinness in a neighborhood pub and raise your glass in an Irish toast.
Scenic German routes
Castles, castles and more castles–some 1,600 of them–can be found in Germany. Scores of castles dot the famous Castle Route, one of 150 scenic vacation roads that crisscross the country. Many of these popular tourist routes are based on itineraries used for centuries by traders and rulers, such as the Old Salt Route. Others have special historic and cultural meaning, such as the Goethe Route, and most wind their way through stunning scenery, such as the German Wine Route.
The first vacation route, the German Alpine Road, was established in 1927. Most, however, were established after 1949. Among the most popular are the Romantic Road, the Fairy Tale Route and the Castle Route. You can follow these routes via package tour, personal car, train or bus.
Rolling along the rivers
A relaxing way to visit Europe is by cruising its rivers and canals. These river trips offer the convenience of only having to unpack once, and a choice of shore excursions along the way. Many boats provide bicycles for guests who want to pedal ahead to the next stop. The ships and barges vary from cozy to deluxe, and the itineraries can be targeted to any interest.
The most popular countries for river cruising are France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Belgium and Germany. For a special treat, consider a Christmas Market cruise on the Danube River in Germany and Austria–it will be a holiday season to remember.
A final thought
Don’t let concerns about security keep you from traveling. You might encounter stiff inspections in airports, and it’s not unusual to have police with dogs inspect trains at border crossings. But for the most part, you’ll find a warm welcome wherever you go. Just use common sense for personal security in big cities. Getting to know other cultures is one of the best means of promoting global understanding.
Barbara Gibbs Ostmann is a contributor from Gerald, Mo.
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Above: The Glacier Express, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, crossing a trestle in Switzerland. Christof Sonderegger/ Switzerland Tourism
Below: The London Eye, a huge observation wheel on the banks of the River Thames, offers a great view of London. British Tourist Authority photo
| Before You Go |
| AAA Travel can help plan a European vacation for you. Find a list of offices to serve you. |
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