When one thinks of cities with supreme levels of historical, artistic, cultural, and commercial importance in the world, Paris, the capital of France, is not far from the top of the list. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for various reasons, Paris is a city of great global importance and a mainstay for the European tourism experience.

Paris has been inhabited since around 250 BC. By around 500 AD, the city had undergone a great period of growth under Roman control, decline when the Roman Empire collapsed, and then growth again under the Frankish king Clovis I. Over the next thousand years, the city’s power fluctuated. At times it was not even the capital of France, and other times it was the most powerful city in the region. The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought about the city’s largest growth in its history and set the stage for its modern prominence as a cultural and commercial bastion of Europe.

The elevation of the city is rather flat, and it is built around the north-bending arc of Seine River. Paris’s climate is classified as oceanic and is influenced heavily by the North Atlantic Current. Because of this, temperatures rarely exceed high and low temperatures, which are around 59 degrees and 45 degrees respectively. Recently, though, the heat wave of 2003 and the cold wave of 2006 put the city through extreme temperature situations.

Paris is a globally-renowned center for almost every art form. High fashion is very popular, with some of the most recognizable names in the design world coming from France. The Louvre Museum is one of France’s most visited museums and contains many of the most important pieces in art history. Theater and performance are large parts of the French experience. All of these things, including the beauty of the architecture and the sheer amount of things to see in Paris, contribute to the city’s huge amount of tourism annually.

Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe as well as one of the most visited, Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, has been the political, cultural, and commercial center of the country for over 1,000 years. As a testament to the city’s historic importance, much of the historic district is classified as a World Heritage Site.

The area upon which the city of Prague stands has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age. As far as the city as it exists today, the first nucleus of the city was created in the latter half of the 9th century. The city flourished during the 14th century under Charles IV, who built the new town and led the city to its ascent to the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The 16th century was characterized by social and religious dissent, while the 18th saw a wealthy populace undergo efforts to beautify the city, which is responsible for much of the beauty that exists today.

The climate of Prague is generally mild, with warm, wet summers and cold winters. During the summers, temperatures are mostly in the high 70s during the day while the nights tend to be chilly. The winter sees temperatures hover around freezing, falling several degrees during the nighttime, but snow is rare. Most of the rainfall happens from May to August during the summertime.

Prague’s unique culture and the beauty of the city itself make it one of Europe’s most prominent cultural centers. The National Theater, the National Gallery, the National Museum, the Estates Museum, and other cultural fixtures host many important cultural events that draw tourists from all over Europe and the rest of the world. Hundreds of concert halls, galleries, and music clubs give the city a refined air of sophistication and artistic appreciation. The Prague Writers Festival, the Prague Fringe Festival, and other such communal celebrations make the city an active one with plenty to do at any given time.

Rome is one of the great cities of the Old World. It has been, at many points in history, one of the most powerful and important cities in the entire world. Today, it is an extremely popular destination for visitors all over the world who come to enjoy Italy and especially the distinct flavor of Rome.

While Rome is said to have been founded by twins Romulus and Remus, archeological evidence suggests that it involved growth from nearby farm settlements. It developed into the capital of the Roman Kingdom after the reign of seven kings and from there began an ascent to the seat of most expansive empire in history. Eventually, the Roman Empire declined, as did the political and commercial power of the city itself, although throughout the Renaissance it was an important artistic and cultural hub. Although Italy went through a brief bout of fascism between World War I and World War II, it is today a republic, with Rome as its capital.

Rome is located in central Italy, where the Aniene and Tiber rivers meet. The city itself extends to the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea, despite the fact that the center of the city is many miles away. Rome’s elevation does not change much throughout the city. A Mediterranean climate, typical for the coasts of Italy, graces Rome, offering a comfortable spring and autumn. The temperature can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit and August, which traditionally would cause the city pause its affairs and the inhabitants to seek shelter from the heat, but this trend is disappearing. In the winter, lows below zero are not uncommon, while the high is usually around 55 degrees.

As far as Roman culture is concerned, the city is deeply connected with its ancient roots. Rome has a heavy Catholic population due to its historic ties with the Catholic Church and the Papal States. Protestants and Muslims make up the rest of the religious minority. The language spoken in Rome is a dialect called Romanesco as well as standard Italian. Music, cinema, and sports also make up an important part of the city’s culture, providing several reasons for tourists to visit the city.

As the capital and most populous city of the Catalonia region in Spain, as well as the second largest city in the country, Barcelona is an important cultural and economic hub for Spain. With a total population of over 3 million, Barcelona is a growing city and a popular tourist destination because of the variety of attractions that the city offers.

The founding of Barcelona remains uncertain, with two legends making up the lore on the matter. One legend attributes the creating of the city to Hercules, which was then rebuilt by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian. The second legend gives most of the credit directly to Barca. The entire Iberian Peninsula was controlled by the Romans for a period of time starting in the year 19 BC, but over the course of the next several hundred years, the region would change hands again and again. Barcelona as a Spanish entity began to take shape in the 12th century, while modern Barcelona truly had its beginning in the 1970s.

Barcelona is located on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula on a plateau facing the Mediterranean Sea. A coastal mountain range shelters the city to the northwest, towering above the city with peaks over 1,600 feet tall. Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers, temperatures tending to gravitate away from the extremes. Snowfall is extremely rare, even during the winter, as the average temperature is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sixty eight municipal parks dot the cityscape of Barcelona, providing an escape from the urban environment. Twelve of these are historic, while the rest are either botanical parks, urban parks, or forest parks. Barcelona also has seven beautiful beaches, although the sand tends to be blown away in storms. The city features a historical district and a financial district, one of the most important in Spain because of the influence that the city has on the country.

Entertainment and the performing arts are important parts of Barcelona’s culture, with traditional performances hosted alongside internationally-influenced presentations. Museums feature all areas and eras of artistic, cultural, and historical importance. The architecture is a stunning mix of contemporary styles, old Spanish Colonial style, and authentic Gothic architecture. The work of renowned architect Antonio Gaudi is featured throughout the city.

Norway is a land of mythical heroes and weeks of perpetual day. While one can’t see the midnight sun or run into Norse legends in Trondheim, the oldest large city in Scandinavia is worth a look. The metropolis blends young and old, history and excitement; it is one of the best places to get a true taste of where Norway has been and where it is headed.

In 1997, Trondheim celebrated its 1000th birthday. It was long a center of trade for northern Europe. Aged wooden mansions are scattered around the city. These serve as reminders of the city’s past economic clout. There are many smaller aged structures, but the most impressive is a building known in Norwegian as Stiftsgaarden. It was once used by the King of Norway as a summer residence. The ancient island fortress of Munkholmen, which is accessible only by boat, offers another glimpse into just how long Trondheim has been a inhabited.

But Trondheim is not only a place of history. The University of Trondheim, one of Norway’s largest, adds a youthful flavor to the town’s activities. A hip and happening nightlife can be found in the center of the city. High drink prices and early closing times mean that you’ll probably need to befriend some locals so that you can take part in a kind of progressive party that is unique to Norway. The night begins with what locals call “Vorspiel,” a pre-party. A trip to the local watering hole is followed by a return to someone’s house for “Nachspiel,” the after party. Trondheim’s residents are often very friendly and can speak good English, so don’t worry about making acquaintances.

Trondheim is a city of both past and present. It is one of the best places to experience all that Norway has to offer.

Tel Aviv, a port city on the Mediterranean, has become Israel’s largest and most modern city. The city has the old (the ancient port of Yaffa) and the new (the massive Ben Gurion International Airport).

Tel Aviv’s cosmopolitan flare is not what most people expect upon arriving in Israel. Yes, the Mediterranean landscape and the aged landmarks are here, but they are drowned out amidst the non-stop energy and modernization of one of the world’s fastest growing cities.

Older areas like Yaffa and Kerem HaTeymanim are still great places for sightseeing and outdoor cafes. Newer neighborhoods like Florentin offer a view into a hipper side to Tel Aviv. Small art studios and trendy boutiques line the streets alongside small industries and auto repair shops.

Tel Aviv really comes into its own after dark. The city boasts a nightlife scene that rivals that of any major city to its west. Some of the biggest clubs (and tightest security) east of New York City can be found in the city’s many districts. Unlike most other cities that have an enforced closing time for all venues serving liquor, Tel Aviv’s nightspots remain open until the sunrise signals them to stop.

Haoman 17, in the aforementioned Florentin district, hosts top international DJs and is one of the most popular venues in the entire city. There are plenty of other nightspots that sport names like Dome, Lima Lima, and Dungeon.

For those who aren’t looking for a thumping bass line and packed dance floors, there are plenty of bars and cafes along the seafront. Many neighborhood bars and restaurants offer outside seating, which is an attraction in and of itself during pleasant weather.

Tel Aviv is the highest example of cosmopolitanism flare in the Middle East.

Budapest is, more or less, a twin city. The name refers to Buda, the older section, on the west banks of the Danube River and Pest, the center of business and government on the east side of the famed European river.

Sightseers will probably find Castle Hill, the oldest part of Buda to be the best place to start. As its name suggests, the centerpiece of this district is a castle (known as the royal palace) on a hill. The baroque-style building houses some of Eastern Europe’s finest and most valued artworks in its National Gallery wing. The art pales in comparison to the views form the palace grounds and other lookout points on the hill. The mighty Danube and the storied city on its banks provide plenty of postcard-pretty views.

Budapest is a city of classical music. The State Opera House hosts some of Europe’s best voices while concert halls featuring classical music are as numerous as jazz bars are in New Orleans.

Of course, this being Europe, there are plenty of coffee houses (conveniently, for Anglophones, known as “kavehus”). Hungary has some of the best coffee in Europe and the lively, social atmosphere is a reason to visit these beaneries in and of itself.

Despite its historic feel and penchant for classical music, Budapest has a hip edge to it. Downtown clubs, on the Pest side of the river, are the place to be, see, and be seen. There are some dance clubs and live music venues, but, for the most part, people seem to head out at night to simply hang out and enjoy a few drinks. The Buda side of the Danube has fewer clubs, but also boasts a more laid back feel.

Budapest is a refreshing mix of old and new. It is proud of its past but not afraid of the future.

Croatia’s Dalmatian coast boasts more than being the place of origination for those cute spotted dogs that Cruella De Ville wanted to make a coat out of. The coast is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful and least known seaside paradises. Though hundreds of thousands of people visit Dalmatia each year, most are from neighboring countries like Italy, Germany, and Austria. Outside central and southern Europe, the area receives little ink.

A good example of Croatia’s coastal attractions is the town of Split. Split’s history dates back to the era of the Roman Empire. The town was actually founded when Roman emperor Diocletian decided to build his retirement palace there. The palace is still in evidence today, though it is quite literally a shell of its former self. You can still wander around the ruins, though, and feel the pre-medieval ambiance. How many other places in the world offer a chance to do something like that.

The waterfront, known as the Riva, is home to numerous cafes and restaurants. Most of these palces are family run affairs with good food. Given Dalmatia’s proximity to Italy and its long relationship with its neighbor, it is not surprising that the local cuisine has a definite Italian flare.

Sailing is the major sport in the area. The sea is perfect for wind-powered vessels large and small. You can have a day of sightseeing aboard a small fishing vessel traditionally used by the area’s fishermen or you can become part of the crew of a large catamaran.

It’s surprising that Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is not more popular than it is.

Why do people come to Greece’s Aegean Islands? I’m sure that the sunshine has something to do with it. And the laid-back atmosphere that makes it seem there is an island-wide holiday every day of the year. Also, there are plenty of choices amongst the islands. Each island offers something a little different. It’s easy to reach each shore, either by ferry or, for the more adventurous, by high-speed catamaran. A trip to the Aegean wouldn’t feel complete without several stops.

Small islands like Anafi offer the opportunity for a peaceful and quiet holiday. Authentic markets and aged buildings make this a truly authentic place to visit. However, if you are in the mood for excitement, it’s probably best to venture elsewhere.

Elsewhere? If you’re looking for a party, try the isle of Ios, particularly, the village of Hora. The town’s main square is where things get started early in the evening. There are numerous bars and nightclubs. Ios is not exactly a resort island, like some of the other in the Aegean. The positive thing about this is that things are generally not as pricy.

As far as tourism is concerned the “main event” is the island of Santorini. It’s difficult to image how so much could be packed on this small island. An active volcano is the island’s main attraction, though watching the sun set over the Aegean can be quite a sublime experience as well. Santori sees many tourists. The positive thing about that is that everything is easy to do. Buses connect the villages, and it’s easy to come by a guided tour of the volcano. However, just sitting amidst the uniformly white walls of one of the island’s towns and watching the sea is attraction enough for many visitors.

There are many more islands to visit. Each one has its own character, but all have the same joyful atmosphere and natural, timeless beauty.

Scotland is home to some of the most rugged and beautiful landscapes on the British Isles. Remote areas offer a chance to get away form it all, but nature can also be found an arm’s length from whatever Scottish region of choose to visit.

One of the tag lines frequently used by Scotland’s tourist industry is “Scotland. Created for walking.” While residents might argue that Scotland was created for Scots, the sheer number of trails in the country seems to support the “created for walking” idea. One could even argue that walking is the unofficial national sport. Though rugby fans might take issue with that.

Despite its small size, Scotland offers unique and varied landscapes.

Southern Scotland has a quaint, stereotypically “countryside” feel. The rolling hills and villages with buildings made from stone and brick make for pleasant strolls. This region of Scotland has more in common with southern England than with its own country’s rugged north. (Scotland is technically a “constituent country,” meaning it is considered its own country but is part of the larger United Kingdom with England, Wale, and Northern Ireland).

In Central Scotland, the Cairngorm National Park offers a wide variety of treks. Serious mountaineers come to conquer the peaks of the Cairngorm Mountains while the forests, foothills, and rivers at the mountains’ base teem with wildlife, scenery, and plenty of opportunities for daylong or multi-day treks.

Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is found to the west, as is the birthplace of the uniquely Scottish sport of hill walking. Sport? Yes. There are even competitions; though viewing the postcard like scenery of western Scotland from a height is probably reward enough for a strenuous hike.

Scotland’s trails offer visitors a chance to get up close with the rugged and beautiful landscapes.