Following on from our post earlier this month (if you haven’t read it, you’ll need to click here right now), we’ve put together another selection of the country guides we wrote for Routes4U. A little refresher… Routes4U is an online trip planner, focusing on destinations all across the continent, which are divided into four macro-regions. It’s a joint venture between the Council of Europe and the European Union, and we were tasked with writing a total of 11 of their country guides. Each guide would include a country overview, practical travel info, individual city coverage with things to see and do, and concise summaries of the various regional travel routes they wanted to promote.
All caught up? Excellent! Then scroll on down to read snippets from five more of the country guides we wrote…
LITHUANIA
A rich seam of medieval influence runs through Lithuania’s culture, from its many dark wood carvings to its raucous celebrations of peasant music and its taste for ancient delights like mead. Deep in its bird-filled forests, visitors could easily imagine themselves transported to a long-ago age. But there’s diversity in the landscape here; the beaches, too, are a draw for tourists, and cities like the capital, Vilnius, and Kaunas offer up a wealth of museums and lavish historic architecture, all set along cobbled streets. For those seeking an active holiday, the flat countryside is perfect for cycling, while the sparkling lakes and Baltic coastline offer opportunities for boating, swimming and kayaking… | Click here to continue reading
POLAND
Located in the heart of Europe, Poland has many neighbours including Germany, Lithuania, the Slovak Republic, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. With a rich history dating back to the 10th century, as well as stunning scenery across its vast 305,000km² land mass, Poland attracts plenty of visitors. Explore the beautiful Baltic coast of the north, the unspoilt mountains, lakes and national parks of the interior, or Poland’s cities where Jewish heritage, Teutonic roots and delicious regional dishes are waiting to be discovered… | Keep reading
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
The Slovak Republic packs an incredible number of cultural attractions into a relatively small region, in the heart of Europe. Travellers can explore UNESCO World Heritage sites like Spiš Castle, nine National Parks, ski resorts and mysterious caves. Outdoor activities shine here, especially in the High Tatras where walking trails lead to glacier lakes and soaring peaks. The capital city, Bratislava, offers the intriguing blend of a Gothic old town with trendy cafes, vibrant nightlife and the Danube River, near the Austrian border… | Keep reading
SWEDEN
Nestled between Norway, Finland and Denmark, Sweden sits at the heart of Scandinavia. It is a country with much to offer visitors, whether they arrive in search of cosmopolitan cities, wild landscapes or fascinating historical sites. To the north of Sweden lies Swedish Lapland with its stunning snowscapes and dancing Northern Lights, while to the south rolling hills and lush green scenery abound. Head west to explore beautiful archipelagos or into the cities to enjoy culture, fika (cake and coffee breaks) and the unmistakable Swedish style… | Keep reading
UKRAINE
Ukraine is Europe’s largest country (excluding Russia), and it’s not just huge by landmass. Big landscapes await visitors, from the Carpathian Mountains in the south east, to the Black Sea in the south west. From bucolic villages to ultra-modern cities, and a diverse and hospitable population, Ukraine doesn’t do anything by halves. For centuries it has been influenced from east and west, and is neighboured by Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Moldova… | Keep reading
Looking for more European country and city guides? Take a look at this previous blog with all of our other Routes4U destinations. And if you want to keep up with all our latest projects, you can follow us on Twitter.
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