Travelers Advantage....

EUROPEAN HOLIDAY:
Bright Lights, Big City Sights

The U.S. dollar may be historically weak, but Europe’s historic--and modern--big cities are as big a draw as ever for summer travel. As in the United States, competition within the travel industry can lead to big city bargains and convenience when it comes to airfare, accommodations, dining, sightseeing, and more. It’s just a matter of choosing one or more of Europe’s many interesting cities and then picking a package that meets your interests and budget. The United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland - are always summer vacation favorite.

London, England’s lure never fades, with 2005 shaping up to be a banner year for the city that’s steeped in history. February saw the exciting opening of The Churchill Museum, which is the first museum in the world dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Sir Winston Churchill. Located in the Cabinet War Rooms, the permanent exhibit focuses on Churchill’s life from his childhood to his dynamic career as a world leader and Cold War statesman. The opening coincided with the 40th anniversary of Churchill’s death and the 60th anniversary of the World War II victory.

Cardiff, Wales is Europe’s youngest capital and, as such, has developed somewhat of a “hip” reputation in the past few years. Historic attractions like Cardiff Castle, the National Museum and Gallery (unique in Britain for its arts and science displays), and the fascinating Museum of Welsh Life (in nearby St. Fagans) all serve to make Cardiff an interesting blend of old and new.

Both Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland present the Scottish side of Britain. The new “Edinburgh Pass” (available this spring) provides visitors on brief city visits with complimentary access to participating attractions, public bus transportation around the city, exclusive discounts in shops and restaurants, as well as other special offers. The cost ranges between US$50 to US$75 for one to three days. Visitors to Glasgow should be sure to try Restaurant Arisaig, which recently opened its third location in George Square, serving contemporary Scottish cuisine (including, of course, haggis!).

On easily reached Ireland, the options include: using Belfast as a big city fix before heading into the countryside for a rural Northern Ireland retreat; enjoy Dublin’s diversions, including summer-long outdoor cultural events called “Diversions 2005”; and heading to Cork, which has been designated as the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2005. In fact, convenient travel makes it easy to enjoy all three of these cities and more in one visit.

Across the English Channel on the mainland (which is easy to combine with the United Kingdom), European favorites such as Paris, Munich and Rome await smart summer travelers. Savvy travelers know that summer crowds (and prices) and easily be avoided with proper planning.

Paris, France is still a perennial favorite, thanks to a wealth of culture, delectable dining, and that perpetual French joie de vivre. Some new things for 2005 include special Da Vinci Code tours, the Paris Jazz Festival in June and July, and the repeat of Paris Plage, an artificial beach along the Seine. From this French gem, it’s easy to take a train up to Brussels or Amsterdam to experience two other completely different European cities.

Summertime in Munich, Germany can mean an endless Oktoberfest-like schedule of events that make this quintessential German city easy for visitors to swallow. For those who can’t wait until fall, the Munich Wine Festival is in early June and Berlin’s 9th International Beer Festival occurs in early August. For those in Germany in late August, Frankfurt’s phenomenal Museum Embankment Festival is one of Europe’s premier cultural events.

Rome, Italy welcomes roaming visitors with enough history to make “when in Rome” mean many days of sightseeing. Shopping is still a popular part of any Roman holiday, with the latest in fashions around the Spanish Steps including Via Condotti, Via Borgognona (there’s a new Gucci store!), and Via Bocca de Leone. Shop ‘til you drop into the famed “Bond Bar” (as in James) at the Hotel D’Inghilterra near the Spanish Steps. Venice, Florence, Milan, and more are also easily reached from Rome.

Of course, there are many more European options, and it’s quite convenient to add visits to Scandinavia, Switzerland, Austria, the Mediterranean and more.