Thracian Tomb – Kazanlak Valley, Bulgaria The Thracian Tomb located near Kazanlak lies within the Valley of the Thracian Kings, a region of central Bulgaria surrounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north and the Sredna Gora range to the south. This fertile valley was an important center of the ancient Thracian civilization, which flourished […]
Veliko Tarnovo – Bulgaria Veliko Tarnovo rises dramatically along the winding Yantra River, where steep hills surround a narrow valley in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). During the Middle Ages the city served as the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, making it one of the most important historic cities in Bulgaria. […]
Sinaia – Prahova Valley, Romania Sinaia lies in the scenic Prahova River Valley within the forested slopes of the Bucegi Mountains, part of the southern Carpathian range. During the late nineteenth century the area became a favored retreat for the Romanian royal family because of its cool alpine climate and dramatic mountain scenery. The town […]
Sighișoara – Transylvania, Romania Sighișoara stands above the Târnava Mare River and is one of the best-preserved medieval fortified towns in Europe. The historic citadel occupies a hilltop plateau surrounded by defensive walls and towers that were once maintained by the city’s craft guilds. At the entrance to the citadel stands the Clock Tower, whose […]
Kraków – Poland Kraków lies along the upper Vistula River near the northern foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and is one of the most historically important cities in Poland. For centuries it served as the royal capital of the Polish kingdom, leaving behind an extraordinary concentration of medieval and Renaissance architecture. The city’s historic core […]
Auschwitz – Oświęcim, Poland Auschwitz lies near the town of Oświęcim in southern Poland, along the Soła River, a tributary of the Vistula River. During the Second World War this location became the site of the largest complex of concentration and extermination camps established by Nazi Germany. The preserved camp known as Auschwitz I contains […]
Bratislava – Slovakia Bratislava lies along the Danube River at the southwestern edge of Slovakia, where the river valley narrows between the Little Carpathian Mountains (Malé Karpaty) and the plains of Hungary and Austria. Because of this strategic position along one of Europe’s major waterways, the city has served as an important political and commercial […]
Jelling Mounds – Denmark The historic monuments of Jelling Mounds stand among the most important Viking sites in Scandinavia. Located in the town of Jelling, the complex includes two large burial mounds, a church, and the famous Jelling Runestones. The runestones were erected during the 10th century by the Viking king Harald Bluetooth, who used […]
Iceland Platinum Circle – Iceland The Platinum Circle is one of the most scenic travel routes in western Iceland, connecting several of the country’s most dramatic natural landmarks within a short distance of Reykjavík. The route highlights the powerful geological forces that shape the island, where volcanic activity, geothermal energy, and glacial rivers create a […]
Landscape of Grand Pré The Landscape of Grand Pré is one of the most important historical sites associated with Acadian settlement in Nova Scotia. Located along the Minas Basin of the Bay of Fundy, Grand Pré was a prosperous agricultural community where Acadian settlers developed an innovative system of dykes and drainage channels to reclaim […]