England’s heritage, and therefore its appeal as a destination, is many faceted and deeply rooted, ranging from the literary genius of Shakespeare to ‘everyday’ pageantry in the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The variety and contrast in the nation’s countryside is enormous, too, and is often a source of surprise to many visitors venturing beyond the cities for the first time – as is the vast range of visitor attractions, resorts and sights to see and enjoy. England, a country of patchwork landscapes: from the rugged coastlines and golden beaches of Devon and Cornwall, to the craggy mountains of the Peak District, the ancient forests riddled with folklore, to the picturesque Lake District, to great cities and to centuries-old villages of heart-warming charm.

Germany is an intoxicating brew (a bit like its wonderful beer) of fast cars and fairytale castles. The German people enjoy a reputation for accuracy, precision and efficiency – although an equally enduring image is of lederhosen-clad Bavarians hoisting beer steins at Munich’s famous Oktoberfest. Neither of these stereotypes reflects the diversity of Germany’s towns and cities, from romantic Heidelberg, the medieval Nuremberg, to the cosmopolitan decadence of Berlin. The country boasts 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout 16 Federal States, each awash with a torrent of enchanting sites to explore, plus thrilling activities to pursue. Every area has its distinct regional foods and offers a huge choice of local wines and beers.

After the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, Gaul was settled by Germanic peoples from the east. After the collapse of the Visigothic Merovingian kingdom, Gaul in the eighth and ninth centuries became the heart of Charlemagne’s Frankish empire, which stretched from the Pyrénées to the Baltic. During the following centuries, the area under the control of the French kings gradually increased, although it was not until the reign of Louis VI (1108-37) that royal authority became more than an empty theory in some parts of France, whose rulers were vassals in name only. Among the most powerful of these were the Dukes of Normandy who had, by the mid-12th century, acquired England and western France.

Paris is one of the world’s great cities: with a practically endless amount of things to do, it rewards repeated and extended visits. Despite the massive size of the city, Paris is also an easily navigable destination as the city center itself is relatively compact and all areas of Paris are connected by a highly efficient public transport system, with the famous Paris Metro, an attraction in itself.

Greece was the birthplace of European civilization. The period from 700BC saw the rise of the great city states of Athens, Corinth and Sparta, frequently engaged in long struggles for supremacy, and uniting only when faced with the common threat of invasion by the Persian Empire. The zenith was reached in the fifth century BC when Athens became the cultural and artistic center of the Mediterranean, producing magnificent works of architecture, sculpture, drama and literature.

Holland is a great holiday destination with plenty to offer everyone, good for grown-ups and entertaining for children. People looking for a cultural holiday and those into sports, nature or city lovers will find something to suit their needs in this eclectic Country. Holland, the low-lying northwest region of the Netherlands comprises the provinces of North Holland and South Holland. Though the whole Country is commonly known as Holland, the official name is actually the Netherlands.