Things to Do in Europe

Enclosing Munich's central square Marienplatz, the Old Town Hall, Altes Rathaus in German, serves as the center for city council activity for the historic city. The Old Town Hall is also known for its architechture style change from Baroque to Gothic after the structure was bombed during World War II.

The interior is a masterpiece of medieval design with golden stairs, decorated beams, and a frieze of Munich's multiple coats of arms. The Grand Hall is decorated with the figures of Erasmus Grasser's Marisco Dancers. The tower of the Old Town Hall is now home to the Toy museum, a childhood collection by Ivan Steiger.

Looking down on the city from St Michael's Mount on the banks of the River Ness, the historic Old High Church is the oldest church in Inverness and famed as the seat of the first congregation in Inverness, with roots dating back to Celtic times. Legend has it that St Columba of Iona, the Irish monk who introduced Christianity to Inverness, once preached from the hilltop on the very spot where the church stands today.

Despite its Celtic roots, the present church building mostly dates back to the 18th century, although parts of the Bell tower from the 14th century remain, and is notable for its restored Willis Organ and Iona marble chancel. Along with its long history of worship, the church was also used as a prison and execution ground after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Regular Sunday services are held in the Church year round.

The 1992 Olympics were transformative for the city of Barcelona. With the arrival of the games, areas were restored and construction for new structures was initiated. As such, the city was updated and rejuvenated in many ways. One such structure, which remains a draw for visitors today, is the Olympic Stadium "” which is now home to the city's second futbol team, Espanyol. It was originally constructed in 1929 for the International Exposition, and was updated in preparation for the games. It can seat more than 65,000 people.
A visit now offers a glimpse into sports history, as well as some great views of the city. It was the venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies of that year's Olympics. Walking through the competitor's tunnel, you can really get a feel for how athletes must have felt as they experienced the vastness of the grounds.

The Salzburg Museum incorporates seven branches, including the Toy Museum (Spielzeug Museum) and Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur), but its main branch is at the Neue Residenz and is connected by subterranean tunnel to the adjacent Panorama Museum. The underground passage itself features a section of Roman wall covered with murals and models of the city at important points in its development but the main attraction of the Panorama Museum is the cyclorama of the city. Painted in 1829 by Johann Michael Sattler, the masterpiece painting-in-the-round is supremely impressive for its fine architectural and topographical detail and is 26 meters (85 feet) in diameter. Visitors stand on a central platform, from here telescopes and computer screens highlight various areas of the city, providing detailed descriptions of 19th-century Salzburg.

Micky Mouse might have his own Parisian residence at Disneyland Paris, but the real star of the French cartoon world is Asterix, the focal point of the famous Parc Asterix theme park. Asterix, along with his sidekick Obelix, are from the popular comic books by Albert Uderzo and Rene Goscinny - two plucky Gauls resisting the Roman Army and getting into a number of adventures along the way.

Even if you're not familiar with the characters, Parc Asterix still makes for a fun family day out and is an easy side trip, just 35 km north of Paris. France's second largest theme park, it has been running since 1989 and is now home to seven themed adventure areas. An array of rides and live shows take visitors on a journey through history, with displays including French legends like the Three Musketeers, a Gaul village, a collection of towering Viking boats, a Roman arena and a show of French legionnaires.

There are 33 themed rides, including the 1.2-km Tonnerre de Zeus, the largest wooden roller-coaster in Europe, with speeds reaching 80km/h; Le Grand Splash, where water sprays and an 11-meter waterfall will ensure you wind up soaking wet; Goudurix, a huge seven-loop roller coaster; and the Wooden Horse of Troy which offers some incredible views over the park. Particularly popular are the live shows, which include a dolphin and sea lion show and a variety of historical spectaculars featuring gasp-worthy swordplay routines and horseback stunts.

Paris' most eye-catching modern theatre is the Opera Bastille, located in the 12th Arrondissement of Paris and cutting a striking silhouette against the city's many traditional baroque theatres.

It was the 20th century composer Pierre Boulez who spearheaded the campaign for a new government-built opera house, initially intended to replace the historic Opera Garnier, or Palais Garnier, and encourage a new generation of concertgoers to enjoy classical music. The two theatres now compete for the title of Paris' most prestigious classical venue, with the original Opera house remaining the home of the Paris National Ballet and the celebrated Opera National de Paris moving to the contemporary Opera Bastille.

Designed by the previously unknown Canadian-Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, who beat 1,700 other design proposals submitted via an international competition in 1983, the Opera Bastille was inaugurated in 1989 on the 200th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. An accomplished feat of architectural ingenuity, the modernist design utilizes the same materials inside and out, and features a vast mosaic of glass panes that make up its dramatic transparent façade. Inside, the acoustically homogeneous main auditorium features 2,700 seats, each with an unobstructed view of the stage, and makes an atmospheric setting for champagne-fuelled classical music concerts and operatic performances.