Europe Snapshots

Porvoo, Finland

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Porvoo town in Finland. Photo by Richard Mortel. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Porvoo Fun Fact: A fun fact about Porvoo, Finland, is that it’s home to one of the oldest city centers in the country, dating back to the Middle Ages! The Old Town of Porvoo is famous for its colorful wooden houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and charming riverside warehouses, creating a picturesque setting that attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s a living piece of history with buildings preserved from as far back as the 18th century.

You can book your Finland tours at Viator.com.

Dinant, Belgium

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Dinant town in Belgium. Photo by Marc Ryckaert. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Dinant Fun Fact: A fun fact about Dinant, Belgium, is that it is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone! You can find a museum dedicated to Sax in Dinant, and there are saxophone-themed sculptures and art pieces scattered around the town to celebrate his legacy.

You can book your Belgium tours at Viator.com.

Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland

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Chateau de Chillon on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Photo by Giles Laurent. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.

Chateau de Chillon Fun Fact: A fun fact about Château de Chillon is that it inspired the famous English poet Lord Byron to write his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon” in 1816. Byron visited the castle and was captivated by the story of François Bonivard, a political prisoner who was held captive in the castle’s dungeon for six years. Byron even carved his name on one of the pillars in the dungeon, and you can still see it today!

You can book your Switzerland tours at Viator.com.

Black Forest, Germany

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Black Forest in Germany. Photo by VillageHero. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.

Black Forest Fun Fact: A fun fact about the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in Germany is that it’s the birthplace of the iconic cuckoo clock! The intricate wooden clocks with a little bird popping out to announce the time have been crafted there since the 1700s, making it a symbol of both the region and traditional German craftsmanship.

You can book your Germany tours at Viator.com.

Taormina, Italy

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Taormina town in Sicily, Italy. Photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Taormina Fun Fact: A fun fact about Taormina is that it has an ancient Greek theater, Teatro Antico di Taormina, which is still used today for concerts and events. The theater was originally built in the 3rd century BC, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna. Its incredible acoustics and scenic backdrop make it one of the most beautiful ancient theaters in the world!

You can book your Italy tours at Viator.com.

Reykjavik, Iceland

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Reykjavik city in Iceland. Photo by Dave Cowie. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Reykjavik Fun Fact: A fun fact about Reykjavik is that it is the northernmost capital city in the world! Situated just a bit below the Arctic Circle, Reykjavik experiences incredibly long summer days where the sun barely sets, known as the “midnight sun,” and very short winter days, with only a few hours of daylight.

You can book your Iceland tours at Viator.com.

Stonehenge, United Kingdom

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Stonehenge in England, United Kingdom. Photo by Gareth Wiscombe. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Stonehenge Fun Fact: A fun fact about Stonehenge is that it was built in phases over a period of more than 1,500 years, starting around 3000 BCE. What’s fascinating is that some of the massive stones, called “bluestones,” were transported from a site in Wales about 150 miles away! How the ancient builders moved these stones such long distances remains a mystery, sparking theories that range from rolling them on logs to using waterways.

You can book your United Kingdom tours at Viator.com.

Dinan, France

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Dinan town in France. Photo by Mike Finn. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Dinan Fun Fact: A fun fact about Dinan, France, is that it has a stunning medieval charm with almost 3 kilometers of well-preserved town walls. These fortifications date back to the 13th century and give visitors a glimpse into the town’s rich history. You can even walk along the walls, which offer beautiful views of the town and the surrounding landscape!

You can book your France tours at Viator.com.

Killarney, Ireland

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Killarney town in Ireland. Photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Killarney Fun Fact: A fun fact about Killarney is that it’s home to Ireland’s first national park, Killarney National Park, which was established in 1932. The park features stunning landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and forests, and is also famous for being one of the few places in Ireland where native red deer can still be found. The park’s beauty has attracted visitors for centuries, including Queen Victoria, who stayed nearby in 1861.

You can book your Ireland tours at Viator.com.

Cape Roca, Portugal

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Cape Roca in Portugal. Photo by Volodymyr Vlasenko. This photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.

Cape Roca Fun Fact: A fun fact about Cape Roca (Cabo da Roca) is it’s the westernmost point of mainland Europe! Located on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, it’s known for its stunning cliffs and panoramic ocean views. There’s even a monument there with a plaque that reads, “Where the land ends and the sea begins,” emphasizing its geographical significance.

You can book your Portugal tours at Viator.com.