Located in southern France about 20 miles north of Marseille, Aix-ex-Provence is a city with 145,000 residents that’s most well-known as being the home to post-impressionist artist Paul Cézanne. The region, commonly referred to as Aix, was originally settled in the latter years of the BC era. It is home to a variety of historic …
With a population of nearly 1.8 million residents, Hungary’s capital Budapest is also its largest city and the 9th most populous metropolitan area in the European Union. Budapest straddles the Danube River in the north-central portion of the country and is divided into two sections—Buda and Pest. Like many Eastern European cities, Budapest features an …
According to historians, Naples was first settled by Greek immigrants in the 2nd millennium BC, making it one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban centers. Naples is Campania’s capital, and with a population of just shy of one million residents, it’s the country’s third-most populous city behind Rome and Milan. In addition to vibrant …
Located on Italy’s northwest Mediterranean coast, Genoa is the capital of the country’s Liguria region and has a population of nearly 600,000 residents. That makes it one of the country’s top ten most populous cities. It’s also Italy’s busiest seaport by volume and ranks 12th overall in the European Union. Dating back to medieval times, …
Pisa is a city of about 100,000 residents in central Italy’s Tuscany region. It’s most well-known around the world as the home of the famous Leaning Tower. The tower was originally built in the 12th century and reaches nearly 200 feet into the sky. Though it’s tilted at almost five degrees, it’s still possible for …
For most of the years between the 15th and 17th centuries, Positano was an affluent coastal city that thrived on regional maritime trade. Though its fortunes slowly faded as more powerful cities like Naples and Sorrento’s rose, Positano’s economy is now largely based on travel and tourism. Just a stone’s throw from Vesuvius National Park …
Located in central Italy’s Tuscany region, just a short drive south of Florence, Siena is a medieval city that’s known for its impressive architecture and abundant historical attractions, as well as the horse race that’s run near the central piazza twice annually. The city has been likened to a large open-air gallery that’s home to …
Even by Italian standards, Sorrento is a particularly beautiful, historic, and alluring town. Located on the country’s south-central coast along the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is close to other popular tourist destinations like Naples and Pompeii to the north, and Amalfi and Positano to the south. Sorrento is characterized by impressive architecture, a vibrant cuisine, and …
The Golden Circle is located in Iceland’s west-central portion, about an hour’s drive east of the capital city of Reykjavik. It’s a remarkable area characterized by astonishing natural attractions like geysers, waterfalls, mountains, and hot springs. It’s also the country’s premier natural and recreational destination for locals and international visitors alike. Though it’s cold and …
Located among a chain of islands in the Ionian Sea, the Greek isle of Corfu is a blue-water paradise that’s most noted for its fantastic beaches, sun-bleached houses, narrow streets, and Byzantine architecture. Two distinct tourist season draw crowds between April and May, and September and November, but due to its Mediterranean location, there’s really …