Denmark's
capital is a modern, hospitable city and, although relatively
small, it is a treasure house of galleries and museums. Copenhagen
has few high-rise buildings and the picturesque streets add
a lot to the city's charm. It's also a very tolerant
city - Denmark is one of the few places where gay marriages
are accepted and the city's nightlife reflects this open-minded
approach, with a large number of clubs and venues to suit all
tastes. The chilly climate is a consequence of Denmark's northern
location, but Copenhagen can be surprisingly warm and sunny
in the summer. The Danish word "hygge" describes a kind of laid-back
comfort and cosiness - and that's exactly what the visitor to
Copenhagen will experience.
One
of Europe's great cities and the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona
rivals Madrid as an industrial, commercial and cultural centre.
It is a city of contrasts, with crowded, narrow streets in the
Gothic quarter, grandiose boulevards in the Moderniste Example,
the surreal beauty of Gaudí's contemporary Catedral de la Sagrada
Familia and the impressive Gothic church of Santa Maria del
Mar. It's also a city bursting with energy. As an international
port close to the French border, Barcelona has always been ready
to assimilate influences from all over the world, and since
it hosted the 1992 Olympic Games the city has been charged with
creative spirit. Today it is the focus of a Catalan cultural
renaissance and a world centre for cutting-edge architecture
and design.
This
region of natural beauty includes the open expanse of the Venetian
lagoon, the hills around Lake Garda and the forests of the Dolomite
mountains. The prosperity of ancient Venice is reflected in
the architectural splendor of towns such as Padova, Verona and
Vicenza, where every twist and turn reveals charming medieval
or Renaissance buildings and piazzas. The Veneto is also well
known for its 5,000 Ville Venete - gracious country houses,
many of which were designed by the famous architect Andrea Palladio.
The region has its share of good food and wine, too. The regional
cooking is rich and varied, with many delicious specialties
such pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans) and riso e bisi (rice
and peas), while names such as Soave or Valpolicella are known
to wine lovers all over the world.
