By Henri Bauholz
Cultures and languages change quickly in
Europe, which can really make for an interesting visit. Here are two highly recommended trips on the Continent, plus a far-ranging visit to Scandinavia by boat. These journeys are all about forgoing the large and crowded population centers of London, Rome and Paris and instead venturing into the smaller cities and countryside to get a better feel for the lives of the average citizen.
Borderlands of Eastern Europe
Travel from city to city along this fascinating part of the world and notice how quickly the language changes from Germanic (in Berlin and Vienna) to the Slavic family of languages in Krakow, Prague, Bratislava and Ljubjana. A side trip to Hungary, which has its own distinct non-Slavic language, is also possible. Finally, stop in Venice, where everyone speaks Italian. Begin your journey in Berlin and then go by train to Krakow, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna, Austria; Ljubjana, Slovenia; and Venice, Italy. Daytime traveling is recommended, so you can enjoy the view of the countryside. The history and culture of these places will make for an unforgettable European journey. Plus, you will gain an understanding of the cultural differences between Eastern and Western Europe.
Mediterranean Sea to the Alps
Start your journey with a night or two along the Italian Riviera. Then cross the border and do the same on the French Riviera, and notice the change in food and language. Next, spend a night in Nice, where your real journey will begin when you board the narrow gauge scenic train for Digby, France. In a relatively short span of time, your travels will take you from the shores of the Mediterranean to the towering heights of the French and Swiss Alps. From Digby, venture on to Annecy and Chamonix, both in France. From Chamonix take a train to Montreux on Lake Geneva in Switzerland, with your final leg taking you to Bern and on to Interlaken. Visits at Interlaken and Chamonix will put you at the base of some of the tallest mountains in Europe. This overland voyage offers a geography lesson in the diverse terrain and people of Southern Europe.
Scandinavia by Boat
Get a feel for the vast, watery world of Scandinavia by flying to Rejkevik and then crossing the country to the port of Seyðisfjörður, where you can travel by ocean-going ferry to the Faroe Islands and then on to Bergen, Norway. Iceland is halfway across the Atlantic but still tied to Norway, Denmark and Sweden by language and culture. From Bergen, visit the fjords and then travel overland to the capitol at Oslo, where you can catch another boat to Copenhagen, Denmark, the most cosmopolitan stop of the entire voyage. Enjoy the diversity of Scandinavia, and, at the same time, get a glimpse of the Viking world from which these modern nations are descended. Keep in mind that a side trip via ocean-going ferry from the Faroe Islands to the Shetland Islands is also possible.
About the Author:
Henri Bauholz is a professional writer covering a variety of topics, including hiking, camping, foreign travel and nature. He has written travel articles for several online publications and his travels have taken him all over the world, from Mexico to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Europe.
