The Federal republic of Germany is the most influential country of Europe. It has witnessed the most controversial facts of history like Nazism, Holy Roman Empire and the building and demolition of the Berlin wall. With many magnificent castles it has wealth of art and culture. German is the widely spoken language in German, but outsiders can find many English speaking locals especially in the common tourist destinations.

Weather

The weather here is very unpredictable as there is a possibility of rain almost all months, so carry clothes accordingly. April and May are the months of spring which brings in full bloom of fruits and flowers. Months from May to September have very fine weather with sunny skies and offers the best time for traveling and site-seeing. People who have a passion for sports like swimming, hiking, and cycling can have the best time here during these months. Winter sports can be enjoyed at the resorts in the months from November to early March. The temperatures are below freezing and the days are too short (comprise of only six to eight months) in winter.

Local Customs

Locals greet each other by handshaking and saying Guten Tag. To say goodbye, people use Auf Wiedersehen. Guests are expected to bring uncovered and odd number of flowers, especially roses, when visiting someone?s home. The guests are welcomed with either food or refreshments. At the table, hosts say ?Guten Appetit? to which the guests should reply with ?Ebenfalls?. Smoking should be better avoided in public areas. Locals dress informally but certain occasions like opera, theatre, certain restaurants and social functions call for formal wear.

Electricity

220 V, 50 Hz

Moving Around

The best way to get around is to buy the Welcome cards or the city passes which allows the customer to access unlimited bus facility in many cities of Germany. It also gives special offer on certain tourist attractions. For flexibility one can rent-a-car or go for chauffer driven cars. Along with the rent, VAT of 16% is payable. Car insurance should be available before hand in case of any accident. The speed limit within the cities is mostly 50kph and 100kph on the highways.
Nine stars

The nine stars of Southwest Germany comprise of Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, Mannheim, Pforzheim Stuttgart, and Ulm. They are considered to be some of the beautiful cities of Europe. Each of the cities play a vital role in the culture of Germany. Baden-Baden has few of the finest resorts and also has Europe?s second largest opera and concert hall. Freiburg is known as the historic city center and is famous for cobblestone mosiacs, open streams and ancient alleys. Heidelberg has world famous castles and Germany?s oldest university. Karlsruhe has the famous museum Center for Art and Media. Look out for various amusements along the Nectar river of Heilbronn. Pforzheim is the capital for watches and jewelry. Stuttgart is famous for theatres and opera. Ulm is the birth place of Albert Einstein and is also house to the world?s tallest hurch spire.

Travel

The national airline that serves Germany is Lufthansa. Bwelin-Tegel airport is situated at 8 km away from the city and it takes about 20 minutes to reach there. There is a provision of duty free shops, banks, post office, eateries, conference hall, and car hire and tourism information for the passengers.

Another busy airport is the Frankfurt airport which is located at 13km away from the city. Buses take about 20 minutes to get there. Taxis are available at any time. The Intercity railway network at the airport also provides international services to Hungary, Switzerland and Austria. The facilities provided here are duty free shops, left luggage, restaurants, banks, conference halls, post office, car hire and tourism information. No departure tax is levied on the passengers.

Those wishing to travel by sea can avail the ferry connections to Finland, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Latvia, and Norway.

Eurostar provides railway service to and from Belgium, France and the UK. Booking can be made by telephone. The Inter-Rail offers unlimited second class train travel within 29 European countries. The Eurailpass offers unlimited first class train travel within 17 European countries.
EuroCity and InterCity trains have a restaurant on board, providing food and drinks. InterCity Express target the business class and provides services such as fully equipped office, conference compartments, etc. Tourist over 17 years of age can carry alcohol and tobacco with them within permissible limits.

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Beautiful and clean, the peaceful Sweden is a land of cultural diversity with a mix of Danish and Wild Arctic North influences. One can also get the feel of urban living in its beautiful and sophisticated cities and at the same time one can feel the tranquility in the countryside. Sweden is full of charm with scenic medical villages, islands, lakes and forests dotting its landscape.
Most of Sweden?s area is covered by forests and not to forget thousands of lakes. One of the beauties of Sweden is its islands and one cannot go without seeing these islands. They offer the most scenic and beautiful experience to any visitors. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a city with 14 islands dotted with great restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and artistic grandeur. Wherever you go most people speak English. If visitors want to have a taste of seafood the west coast is the place to be. Also it is popular for ancient city Uppsala. Do no miss a trip to the Ice Hotel which is sculpted from ice each winter in Lapland. Sweden is an exciting country with great roads and state of the art high speed train system.

Population & Languages

Sweden has a population of around 9 million and the official language is Swedish. Lapp is spoken by Sami people in the north. Most people speak English fluently and also many speak German and French.

Electricity

Voltage – 230 volts, Frequency – 50Hz. Standard European 2-pin plugs are used.

Geographic Location

Sweden is a Nordic country lying in the Scandinavian Peninsula and is the fifth largest country in Europe. Its west neighbor is Norway; Finland in the northeast, the southwest border is surrounded by Skagerrak and Kattegat straits and the west coast is surrounded by Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. Majority of the area is forest and there are thousands of lakes mostly in the Southern part of Sweden.

Local Customs

Like any other country Sweden has its own customs too. It is customary not to drink until the host makes a toast. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas. It is also customary to say Tack f?r maten to the host after having a meal which means thanks for the food. Casual dress is acceptable for everyday wear and formal wear for social gatherings. Also tipping up to ten percent is customary for service in restaurants and around same percent for taxis also.

Places to see

Stockholm ? The biggest city and capital of Sweden and is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. The old town is a treat for your eyes and a walk around city?s waterways and parks is an experience to cherish. Most visitors prefer walking around on foot and visit the medieval part of Gamla Stan. The city is basically constituted by archipelagos which are outstandingly scenic and can be explored by cruises.

Gothenburg ? it is the second biggest city of Sweden. Not to be missed attraction in this city is Liseberg, a world class amusement park. It is home to popular museums like Ostindiska huset, Konstmuseet and Sj?fartshistoriska museet.
Vadstena – The Renaissance castle Vadstena slot & klosterkyrkan.

Visby ? Port of Visby, ruins of Drotten, St Nicolai, St Lars and St Carin, cathedral of St Maria and Gotlands Fornsal historic musem.

Oland ? Fort of Graborg, Eketorp museum and ruins of Borgholm Castle.

Travel

By Air ? It is well connected to the rest of the world by air. Many international airlines serve Sweden apart from its national airlines SAS. The other airlines are Air Canada, Air France, Aeroflot, British Airways, Finn air, Lufthansa, Ryan air etc.

By Sea ? The ferries connect Sweden with other destinations such as New Castle, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg etc.

By Rail ? Trains connect Ostend, Sweden to London. It is also connected to Denmark by Eurostar train.

By Road ? Visitors from UK can drive to Sweden through Demark or Germany

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
4. Perfumes
5. Gifts up to SEK 1700.

Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Word Count 728

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The first is the Eiffel Tower. This structure is more than a hundred years old and those who want to get to the top can take an elevator and walk the rest of the way using the stairs to get a great view of the city during the daytime or at night.

It will be a good idea to take some snapshots while up there and in some places before such as the Parc du Champ de Mars which is the adjoining park below.

Even before the movie, Da Vinci?s Code hit the box office; people have flocked to see the artwork at the Louvre Museum. This former 16th century museum holds various paintings and sculptures such as Mona Lisa.

The best way to enjoy this place is by getting a guidebook at the information desk once the visitors enter the pyramid. If going around this place with a group is difficult, the person can get an audio guide to be able to enjoy everything at a leisurely pace.

It is much cheaper to visit on a Sunday. The individual will just have to put up with the long lines. Tourists should not schedule a trip on Tuesdays since the museum is closed to visitors on that day.

Not far from the Eiffel Tower is the Arc de Triomphe. Napoleon Bonaparte built this structure and is the usual venue for events such as Bastille Day, which is when the French celebrates it independence from the monarchy.

There are 12 streets including the Champs Elysees that converge onto it. People can?t park the car on the road to get a closer look but have to pass the underground passageway to be able to arrive there safely. Visitors can also get to the top by riding an elevator or using the flight of stairs.

Nature lovers will surely enjoy the Luxembourg Gardens. The park has lots of flowers and visitors can rent under a tree after a long day of seeing the sights. One can rent a remote control boat and sail in the small pond and in the distance see the Luxembourg Palace that is the seat of the French Parliament

Another great place to visit, which has caught the imagination of Victor Hugo, is the Church of Notre Dame. Built in the 12th century, people will be able to admire Gothic architecture.

There are various statues and colorful windows that make this place look beautiful. One is the rose window that is 40 feet wide that depicts the life of the Virgin Mary, which those who strongly believe in the Church will admire.

There are no elevators here so those who want to go to the top and see a great view of the city beside the gargoyles will have to take the stairs.

The day can end with a romantic dinner cruise by the Seine River. There are boats of various sizes that cater to couples and those who come to Paris in a group.

Paris has other museums and gardens that the tourists can check out. It will a good idea to plan a holiday for a week or two to be able to visit these places and get some souvenirs for the journey home.

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Portugal was a world power in 15th and 16th century but was reduced to rubbles during an earthquake in 1755, Napoleon?s Invasion and Brazil?s Independence. Sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Spain and bordering Atlantic Ocean by both west and south coast it is popular for its long and varied coastline, sunny climate and the charming towns makes it a traveler?s paradise. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.

The best thing about Portugal is that despite being a part of modern Europe one can still find the rural dwellings which has stood by time and has preserved its traditions. While modern architectural marvels like high-rise resorts dot the coast in the Southern province of the Algarve, Lisbon on the west coast on the other hand is a crowded city home to many fine tourist resorts. If you want to go back in time you have to just travel few miles north or east where you will see scenic countryside still resemble medieval villages and towns of earlier centuries.

Population & Languages

The population of Portugal is roughly 10.6 million and the official language being spoken is Portuguese. Mirandese is also second officially language spoken in some parts of Portugal.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain in north and east and borders Atlantic Ocean by both west and south coast.

Climate

The climate of Portugal can be classified into two. It is oceanic in the north and Mediterranean in the south. It is also one of the warmest countries of Europe. The average temperatures in the mainland are 13?C (55?F) in the north and 18?C (64?F) in the south. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are cold and wet. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Portugal.

Local Customs
Casual dressing is acceptable. But keep in mind not to wear beachwear in towns. Smoking is allowed after meals in Restaurants. Smoking is prohibited in theatres, cinemas and buses. Tipping is 10 to 15 percent in restaurant and hotels and 10 percent to taxis.

Attractions

Castelo de Sao Jorge ? Castle of St. George
Alfama – The oldest part of Lisbon
S? (Cathedral) – first church in Lisbon
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum
The Bairro Alto – The Bairro Alto district, an historic enclave dating back to 1513
Monument to the Discoveries – One of the popular attractions in Lisbon is the monument, situated on the riverbank in the Avenida de Brasilia in the district of Belem, which was designed to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery
Tower of Belem – This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Parque das Nacoes
Fatima
Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis – dedicated to Soares dos Reis, the famous sculptor born and bred in Porto
Igreja de Sao Francisco
Solar Vinho do Porto
Vila Nova de Gaia
Frederico de Freitas Museum
Sao Vicente Caves
Cable Car
Cathedral
Whale Museum
Porto Santo
Setubal
Coimbra
Coimbra University
Guimaraes
Guimaraes church and palace
Braganca

Travel

By Air ? The national airline of Portugal is TAP Air Portugal (TP). The airlines operates direct flights to many destinations like Faro, Lisbon and Porto from a number of countries, including Canada, France, Spain, the UK and USA. Portugalia Airlines (NI) operates flights from Europe. Many popular airlines that fly to Poland from UK are British Airways, GB Airways and Monarch Airlines, Easyjet, bmibaby, Jet 2, MyTravelLite, Flybe, Flyglobespan and SATA.The biggest airport is Lisbon International Airport which is located like 4.5 miles north of the city.

By Sea ? The main ports for international passengers are Lisbon, Leixes (Oporto), Funchal (Madeira) and Portim?o (Algarve), served by Cunard, Italia, Linea C, Olympia, P&O and Union Cas

By Rail ? If coming from UK, the fastest way is to get on Eurostar train to Paris and from Paris to Portugal by Sud-Express.

Road ? Spain is the only country sharing border with Portugal. The major border posts are open most of the time now.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco for Non-European union countries.
2. 1 liter spirits with alcohol greater than 22%, or 2 liter spirits or aperitifs made of wine less than 22% or sparkling wines or liqueurs, or a proportionate mix of these, and 2 liters of wine
3. perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette
4. Gifts up to ?175
5. 500g coffee or 100g tea or 40g of tea extract
6. Medicines for personal use

Prohibited Items

Birds and poultry arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza, Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Word Count 827

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Also known as the Republic of Hungary or Hungarian Republic, Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Budapest is the largest city and also the Capital of Hungary. One of the key reasons why Hungary is popular is its hospitality to tourists. Also one can find an ideal mix of history and modern day in Hungary. While Hungarians proudly stick to their old Magyar Tradition they also keep them abreast with current fashions across the world. Most visitors flock to see Budapest, a truly world class city situated on River Danube which enchants everyone with love and music. The city is a blend of culture and outstanding beauty making it the right place for tourists. The city has been a paradise for writers, musicians and artists who were greatly influenced by this graceful city. If you travel west in Hungary Lake Balaton is popular with tourists. Local cuisines include hal?szl? (fish soup) with pasta and goulash (guly?s) soup.

Population & Languages

The population of Hungary is Roughly 10 million and the official language being spoken is Hungarian.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. River Danube and River Tisza divide the country into three large regions. The country is strategically located astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin

Climate

The climate of Hungary can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature of Hungary is around 9.6 ?C. The maximum temperature in summer can be 43 ?C and as low as -30 ?C. The summer average is 26 to 36 ?C and winter average is 0 to -16 ?C.

Local Customs

Like any other country Hungary has its own customs too. It is customary to handshake. It is customary to make the toast and return. It is customary for guests to offer gifts to the host of a meal. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas. But travelers can smoke in long distance trains. Casual dress is acceptable in most places and formal for special occasions. Tipping up to 10 to 15 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.

Attractions

Budapest
* Castle Royal Palace
* Fisherman?s Bastion
* Matthias Church
* Gell?rt Hill
* Chain Bridge
* The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum
* Parliament Buildings
* Statue Park

Eger
* Eger Castle
* Sz?passzony Valley (Valley of the Pretty Woman)

Lake Balaton
* H?v?z
* Keszthely

The Danube Bend
* Esztergom
* Szentendre
* Visegrad

Travel

By Air ? The national airline of Hungary is Malv which operates flights from more than forty cities across the world. Other international airlines operating from Hungary include Aeroflot, Air France, British Airways, easyJet, KLM, Lufthansa, Sky Europe, Swiss, United Airlines and Wizz Air. Ferihegy Budapest International Airport (BUD) is the biggest airport which is like ten miles southeast of Budapest.

By River – There is a daily hydrofoil service run by MAHART connecting Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in the months of April to October.

By Rail ? The country is part of the extensive network of trains connecting the European cities. Hungary is connected to 16 European cities and there are 47 international trains daily to Budapest by direct rail link.

Duty Free Items
1. 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or1kg smoking tobacco for EU countries.
2. 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco for Non-EU countries.
3. 10 liter of spirits with more than 22% and ethyl alcohol, or 20 liter of beverages less than 22% alcohol content, or 90 liter of wine or 60 liter of sparkling wine, or 110 liter of beer for EU countries.
4. 1 liter of spirits and 2 liter of wine for Non-EU countries.
5. 50g perfume or 250 ml eau de toilette
6. Gifts , Food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use of value up to ?175

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Word Count 747

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People can take a train from either France or Germany to see this small country. In a day or two, visitors will be able to visit the various cathedrals, medieval cities and castles that are still there today. The tourists will also be enjoy the good food, beer and chocolate that this place is known for.

Here are some examples of these places.

The first is the Royal Museum of Ancient and Modern Art, which has collections of various paintings and art work. The person can join the tour or go about this place to be able to appreciate everything at a leisurely pace.

Those who love dinosaurs and see fossil remains of those dating back more than a million years ago can check out the exhibits at the Museum of Natural History. If the prehistoric remains are no the person?s cup of tea, perhaps Autoworld will be much better appreciated since it features a collection of cars both old and new from different countries around the world.

The one thing the person will notice about Belgium is the architecture. Not all of the buildings are the same and this variety will astound anyone who is walking through the streets.

The most well known style of architecture in Belgium is known as the Art Nouveau. Here, people will see the different homes that will tell if this part of the city is for the high class, those in the middle and the lower class.

One statue that is quite cute is the Mannekin Pis or the Pissing Boy in English. This is located at the Cathedral of Saint Michel. The nice thing here is that the statue is dressed up during different times of the year such as a Santa Claus suit for Christmas or a robe during the feast of St. Michel. Other than that, it is nude.

The Atomium is a steel structure representing an iron atom with 9 spheres connected by corridors. Those who pass here will be able to get to the park and a miniature exhibit of the Europe?s famous landmarks.

When the people are hungry, the best place to get a bite is the world famous ?Petite Rue des Bouchers? or the street of butchers. Every household here is a restaurant. Tourists can check out the various homes before deciding to get a table and eat whatever the heart desires.

Walking distance from here is the Grand Palace. This is the central market of Brussels where tourists can buy food and souvenirs before packing up and going home.

Aside from staying in the capital of Belgium, which is Brussels, the person should also check out the landscapes, artworks and architecture of its other cities such as Antwerp, Ghent or Leuven.

Lodges or inns in these places are reasonably priced. One can even take a leisurely hike to appreciate nature in the Ardennes Forest which starts from the city of Namur has a citadel built on a rock. The individual can either rent a car or take the train to be able to see these other wonderful places.

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The adventurous and colorful history of France catered by bloody 100 years war down to the French Revolutions affect a diversified nation with various regional traits and customs and a very unique combination of snobbish or rude attitude, proud but deep at heart friendly people, and environment. You'll have to fathom into knowing French culture to understand why each region have their respective divert customs from the rest.

How the French people value Cuisine is unsurpassed in the world. It is characterized in the way the handle food recipes in the finest hotels, restaurants and dining venues with utmost end-ambiences for global visitors. France is No. 1 in wine exportation in the world, and theirs are the finest of the original authentic grape base.

Having the best wine distilleries combine with the best in entertainments, places to go where and here, as anyone may suit to seek from their books of travels and stay-in occupancies for a week, month, or over the summer cruise over the sunny coastlines along the French Riviera; extending a little across to the isles of Monaco, and along these coastlines.

KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL VACATION WITHOUT HASSLES

*To get thru total experience of France, their champagnes, dining, entertainments, the Alps and etc., prepare a Visitor's Passport. Seek direct access to maps and Directory. If getting thru online, Download no spy ware. Missing birth Certificates is glitz on passports and other personal documents. So be guided by this particular.

If you intend to seek for a lengthy vacation, get a "long-Stay Visa," applicable to those who extend up to 90 days or who wish to study in France. Read up to a variety of Regional culture before you penetrate the various places. It is more interesting than just thinking of Paris. There are more places and lots to treasure in your vacation memory, afterwards.

*Major airport in Paris is Roissy-Charles de Gaule, others are in major cities like Lyons and Strasbourg, taking around seven hours to get to French grounds from the East Coast.
A planned itinerary to far cities like Strasbourg and Carcassonne, it would be a 1-hour speed economical airplane thicket that provides ease and convenience, trips plunge-beat to the 8-hour trip in an overnight train-trip, the price of which is similarly almost the same in price.

*Knowing their year-end calendar on weather, holidays, month's activity-highlights are very important to go with your itinerary, to avoid waste of time, money, effort and risk. (1) January to February is the start and peak of the ski season. This is also when the semi-annual government regulated sales begins, (2) March shows a swarm of tourists as the final end of ski season is at hand. Easter candies and all chocolates are starting to be displayed as the springtime is ensuing the following month, (3)Weather is warm in May and June, July is bustling with the advent of Bastille Day. Plea markets and plenty of produce displayed in markets, (4) September, winds down prices as the smell of autumn is coming and the tourist taking advantage of lowering prices for the end of the warm weather, (6) October to December, preparation for the Christmas season, tourists are going home but still these are mesmerizing moments to enjoy a very colorful vacation from the colorful autumn-changing atmosphere to the colorful end of December.

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The summers are cool here but the winters are severe with some chances of snowfall. Rainfall can be expected in any month of the year. Dutch is the official language here. English, French and German are the other languages that are spoken, out of which English is widely spoken. Incase of emergency call 112.

Culture

Handshake is the commonly practiced form of greeting. Although tipping is not mandatory, but it?s better to pay rounds figure in restaurants and taxis. A humble gift should be taken to the host?s house always when invited for a meal. Informal clothes are worn on a daily basis, but people are expected to turn up in formals at social functions and smart restaurants.

Shopping

Pottery of Delft, Makkum and Workum is a must buy. Silverware from Schoonhoven, crystals from Leerdam and diamonds from Amsterdam are highly recommended.

Site Seeing

Apenheul Primate Park is a place to visit which is a home to more than thirty species of mammals. It remains closed during the winter. De Hoge Veluwe is the oldest and largest park of Holland. Bicycles can be used to explore the 5,500 hectares of the park. Paleis Het Loo is a magnificent Palace surrounded by gardens and remains open year round except on public holidays.

Electricity

230 V and 50 Hz

Travel

The national airline that operates in Holland is KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines. It connects to almost all the major cities of Europe, North America and Asia. Amsterdam Airport is the hub for many international and local flights. It is located at 15 km away from the city and it takes 20 minutes to reach there by train. The Airline, KLM, provides bus service every 15-30 minutes which takes passengers to some of the famous hotels of the city. Public buses can be availed too, to reach destination. Trains connect to Amsterdam?s Central Station and Zuid Station. Taxis take tourists to almost any location. The Airport features duty free shops, banks, showers, business center, baby rooms, and car hire.

Rotterdam airport and Eindhoven airport are 8km away from the city. Trains and buses operate every 15 minutes to transport passengers to their hotels. Facilities such as duty free shops, eateries, car rental, and internet can be availed at these airports. No departure tax is implemented on passengers at any of these airports.

The main sea ports are Hook of Holland, Vlissingen and Rotteradm. Stena Line, P&O ferries and DFDS seaways provide ferry service to get to Holland.

If traveling by railway, Eurostar provides the best service and connects to all the major cities of Europe. It provides high grade services. Good offers are provided on regular basis and to utilize them they should be monitored from time to time. Unused tickets are easily refunded. The Inter-Rail pass can be bought to avail the unlimited second class train travel within 29 European countries.

Top class road network connects Holland to majority of cities in Europe. They are well maintained and signs are posted every where for safe driving. 120kph is the speed limit while driving on highways. Many car dealing agents exist if opting for car-rental. Some of them are Avis, Europcar and Budget.

Cycling is also a major means of transportation in Holland and is part and parcel of daily life. Tourists can hire cycles from the airport or other service providers with some money-deposit.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 1liter of liquor or 2liter of sparkling wine or liquor wines and 2liter of non-sparkling wine
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract

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Word count 631

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Copenhagen is a lively place to go around and present a number of attractions that will interest and appeal its many visitors. An excellent network of public transportation which include buses and trains help make going around for tourists easier and its friendly people would be willing to guide a lost tourist to get him back to enjoying the wonderful sights and sounds that the city has to offer.

Some of the attractions that you will likely find in this city are the beautiful ancient castles and palaces that spread all over the area. One of them is the Amalienborg which was built by Frederik V to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the House of Oldenburg, Amalienborg is actually a vast complex which consists of four palaces that is built around a square.

In the square, an equestrian statue of Frederik V stands imposingly which, together with the surrounding palace buildings, forms a breathtaking architectural ensemble that is just too good to miss.

There is also the Asistens Kirkegard which is also known as Copenhagen's biggest cemetery. This is where notable people in Denmark such as Hans Christian Andersen are buried. If you are still amazed at the spectacular architecture found in the city, you might also want to visit the Borsen or the Stock Exchange. It is one of Copenhagen's oldest and most spectacular architectural buildings. The Stock Exchange was built by Christian IV during the 1600's in an effort to make the city into a major financial center able to compete with Amsterdam.

What is remarkable about this building is that it was built on top of water and stands on filled-in foundations. With canals surrounding it on three sides, this building was able to survive various fires that may have destroyed it through the years. The building's imposing spire is what makes The Stock Exchange stand out in the whole of Copenhagen. This spectacular spire is formed by four dragons with tails intertwined and topped by three golden crowns which stand for the three Scandinavian countries.

Then there is the Stroget which is an open market where different modes of transportation are banned to allow thousands of shoppers to freely walk around the streets. The Stroget is an open air market filled with bars, burger joints as well as a variety of high end and bargain stores that haws everything available for everyone.

Walking down Stroget is always an experience in itself and should not be missed whenever one visits Copenhagen. And most of all, the excited visitor should not miss what is known as the most famous of Copenhagen's tourist attractions, the Den Lille Havfrue or the Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid can be found sitting on a rock that overlooks the harbor of Copenhagen. It was inspired by the fairytale created by Denmark's most famous son, Hans Christian Andersen. There are many more sights that await every visitor here in Denmark and it is not all located in the capital alone. A more exciting adventure is always at hand when you visit the beautiful country that is Denmark.

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Finland is located in somewhere in Northern Europe where it shares its borders with Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia. It is one of the thinly populated areas in the world with only over five million people living in a country of over 127,000 sq. mile area.

And yet it is considered as one of the top ranking countries in the UN human Development Index which compares countries from all over the world on certain factors such as poverty, literacy, life expectancy, education, etc. and because of this, Finland is known as one of the most desirable places to live in.

Aside from its excellent way of life, Finland is also known for its many wonderful attractions. It is a country known for its many wonderful scenic lakes and islands. Tourists can visit some of its more than 180,000 lakes and islands. Helsinki is known as the capital of Finland and it can be a good place to start on your tour of the country. Helsinki alone offers you a number of exciting places to visit when you are on vacation in Finland.

You can visit Bylandet which is probably the best sightseeing island in the Espoo archipelago. Its magnificent scenery and breathtaking natural beauty will stay with you for a very long time. The island itself is so full of beauty and natural magnificence that spending just a day there would be enough. Try to spend a couple of days on the island to try and soak up the atmosphere and marvel at all the splendor before you. Great man-made sights also scatter all around the island with its old Russian bunkers well worth a look.

While you are still in the capital, you might also consider visiting some of its well known parks. One of them would be Kaivopuisto which is Helsinki's most famous park. This beautiful area has cliffs that can offer visitors breathtaking views of the whole city and the archipelago.

This spacious park was first established mainly as a spa facility for the wealthy in early times. Kaivopuisto is a popular place to go for strolls and enjoy summer picnics with your family and co-travelers. It becomes the best place to visit in the city during May Day where thousands of people try to spend the day here. This beautiful park is also used for many events, celebrations and free concerts which add more excitement to the whole area.

If you find yourself in Finland during the winter, you might want to take a visit at the Senate Square in Helsinki. Every year at wintertime, a little church made of snow rises up in the middle of the Square just in front of the Lutheran Cathedral. This spectacular snow church becomes a popular attraction every year during winter where people try to marvel it from the inside and out.

Services are held inside the church on Sunday mornings and this small church is equipped with wooden doors as well as windows and seats which add to its appeal. There are more attractions in store for you when you visit Finland, where exciting adventures and scenic marvels await you.

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