Wondrous Europe

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and serves as a global center for banking and finance. It is located in the north-central part of the country, on the shores of Lake Zurich and at the foot of the Swiss Alps. The city is renowned for its high standard of living, clean environment, and vibrant cultural scene. Read more about Zurich, Switzerland

The German town of Breisach is situated along the Rhine River on the French and German border, about halfway between Freiburg and Colma. During WWII 85% of Breisach was destroyed and the early 13th century cathedral of St Stephansmünster was heavily damaged. Fortunately it is a great place to visit as it has since been restored with many of its remarkable features still intact. Read more about Breisach, Germany

A town along the Rhine River across from Strasbourg, France, Kehl is known for its scenic waterfront and cross-border connection to Strasbourg. Visitors can explore parks, riverside trails, and experience German-French cultural influences. Read more about Kehl, Germany

Mannheim, in SW Germany, lies at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar Rivers. Its nick-name ‘City of the Squares’ is due to the fact that, unlike other German cities, its central area is set out in a grid pattern just like most North American and Australian cities. Of interest is the Water Tower, just east of the city’s centre, the civic symbol of this city. Read more about Mannheim, Germany

The Rhine Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany, known for its dramatic landscapes, castles, and historic towns along the Rhine River. Read more about Rhine Gorge, Germany

Cochem is a town on the west bank of the Mosel River and the capital of the district of Cochem-Zell, Western Germany. It is situated in the valley of the Mosel, surrounded by vineyards, and at the foot of a hill overlooked by the Reichsburg, a feudal castle that dates from 1051. The history of Cochem in Celtic, Roman, and early Middle Ages is unknown, but its location was ideal for farming and wine production with access to the Mosel river traders. Read more about Cochem, Germany

Bernkastel is a district of the town Bernkastel-Kues, a well-known wine growing centre that is over 700 years old, located on the Middle Moselle river in Rhineland, Germany. The town is a state-recognized health resort and the birthplace of one of the most famous medieval churchmen and philosophers, Nikolaus von Kues. His birthplace has been well preserved over the centuries. Read more about Bernkastel, Germany

The Moselle Valley is a picturesque region along the Moselle River in Germany and France, famous for its wine production and scenic beauty. Read more about Moselle Valley, Germany

Koblenz (aka Coblenz, Coblence) is one of the largest cities on the Rhine River in Germany and is situated on both banks of the Rhine at its junction with the Moselle. In 55 BC Roman troops commanded by Julius Caesar reached the Rhine, and the remains of a large bridge built by them in 49 AD are still visible. That the historical pattern of French occupation over the centuries has now completely ended, is encapsulated in the imposing William1st Monument that is a nationalistic declaration of the German refusal of any French claims to the area, and to German unity. Read more about Koblenz, Germany

Dusseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a key economic centre of Germany, situated on the River Rhine, and has a high population density. The city dates back to 1135 and flourished with a market square protected by city walls in all four directions. Read more about Dusseldorf, Germany

Nijmegen is is situated on the Waal river, less than 10km from the German border. It is the oldest city in the Netherlands, celebrating its 2,000th year of existence in 2005. Its first mention in history was in the 1st century B.C. Read more about Nijmegen, Netherlands

In the region of Flanders the city of Antwerp, situated on the eastern bank of the river Scheldt and joined to the North Sea by an estuary, is a major destination of Belgium. It claims to be the ‘world's leading diamond city’ and it has every right to do so, as more than 70% of all diamonds are traded here. Due to its long and culturally rich history, the city houses buildings built in varying historical periods with an interesting variety of architectural designs. Read more about Antwerp, Belgium

Veere is a picturesque village in SW Netherlands, located on Walcheren island in the province of Zeeland (‘Sealand’, large parts of which are below sea level; and has given its name to ‘New Zealand’). It lies close to the southern part of the North Sea, and 30 km north of Belgium. The city faces Veerse Meer inland lake that was blocked off in 1961 from the North Sea by Veerse Gat 5km to the north, built as part of the Delta Plan to prevent flooding following the disaster of 1953. Read more about Veere, Netherlands

Utrecht, the fourth largest city of the Netherlands, is located on the river Rhine at the eastern end of the Randstad. The ancient city-centre features many buildings and structures from the early Middle Ages and the city is viewed as the religious centre of the Netherlands. Read more about Utrecht, Netherlands

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands

Lyon (or Lyons) is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France, located at the junction of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers, between Paris and Marseille. The city is known for its historical architectural landmarks at the Historic site, so that UNESCO recently listed Vieux Lyon, including the Croix-Rousse and Presqu'île areas, as a world heritage site. This is well deserved as the Gothic and Renaissance district is famous for its maze of narrow streets with quaint cathedrals, churches and buildings of historical importance that feature architecture from the 12th century to modern times. Read more about Lyon, France

Tournus is a town in the Burgundy region of eastern France, located on the east bank of the Saône River, between Dijon and Lyon. An ancient Roman garrison was built here on the banks of the Saône, and Tournus became an important religious centre under the influence of the very striking Abbey of Saint-Philibert which, with its interesting crypt, mosaics, and cloisters, is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The early 11th C church of St Philibert that once belonged to the Abbey is also a main attraction due to the fact that it has square chapels, a crypt, as well as a nave that is supported on tall cylindrical columns and is roofed with barrel vaulting. Read more about Tournus, France

Tournon - aka Tournon-sur-Rhône - is a town in the Rhône-Alpes region of SE France, located on the west bank of the Rhône River, 85 km south of Lyon. Tournon's main attraction is a feudal castle overlooking the town and the river. The castle, with foundations dating back to the 10th C, has a section built in the Renaissance period that today houses the town museum. Read more about Tournon, France

Avignon is a town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in SE France, located on the Rhône River just north of its junction with the Durance River. Strategically situated high above the Rhône and encircled by medieval ramparts, Avignon's walled old town is a warren of cobbled streets, lantern-lit passageways and architectural treasures. Bathed in the extraordinarily brilliant Provencal light, this former papal enclave has long attracted artists and painters as well as those in search of a cultural change. Read more about Avignon, France

Avignon is a town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in SE France, located on the Rhône River just north of its junction with the Durance River. Strategically situated high above the Rhône and encircled by medieval ramparts, Avignon's walled old town is a warren of cobbled streets, lantern-lit passageways and architectural treasures. Bathed in the extraordinarily brilliant Provencal light, this former papal enclave has long attracted artists and painters as well as those in search of a cultural change. Read more about Avignon, France

The delightful town of Caudebec is located in the Haute-Normanie region of northern France. It lies on the northern bank of the Seine River close to its estuary, and is just 50 km from Le Havre. Of special interest is the historic main square that is home to intriguing architectural sights. Read more about Caudebec, France

The small walled city of Viviers is a town in the mountainous Rhône-Alpes region in SE France, and is located on the west bank of the Rhône River, 80 km north of Arles. Due to its sheltered location, the city has been able to keep its old world charm to this day, with important Roman remains as well as Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Indeed, the Gallo-Roman bridge, built between the 2nd and the 3rd century on the right bank of the Rhône, spans eleven arches, while the ancient city Alba la Romaine from the 1st Century is today an archaeological site covering 30 hectares of Gallic-Roman ruins and famous vineyards. Read more about Viviers, France

Paris, situated on the river Seine in northern France, is the capital and largest city of the country. It is also the most visited city in the world, and the region is home to 3,800 historical monuments and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Interestingly, the earliest archaeological signs of permanent settlements in the Paris area date from around 4200 BC. Read more about Paris, France

Paris, situated on the river Seine in northern France, is the capital and largest city of the country. It is also the most visited city in the world, and the region is home to 3,800 historical monuments and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Interestingly, the earliest archaeological signs of permanent settlements in the Paris area date from around 4200 BC. Read more about Paris, France