Things to Do in Europe

Inside the church you will find many works of art. A mural from 1460 depicts the first bishop Ansgar of Bremen with the words "Apostle of the North." Two oil paintings from the 17th century by Gottfried Libalt were returned to the cathedral in 2001 after being restored. A painting entitled Christmas 1813 in St. Peter's shows Hamburg citizens locked in the church when they refused to provide food to Napoleon's troops.

Rome's opera house, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, is a 19th-century theater in the city center and the Italian capital's main opera house.

The original theater opened in 1880 with the name Teatro Costanzi. It was later renamed the Teatro Reale dell'Opera and underwent some minor structural changes in the 1920s, and renamed again in 1946 as the Teatro dell'Opera. The theater was largely remodeled in the late 1950s to the structure that stands today.

The theater has five tiers of seating in a semicircle around the floor seating and facing the stage. Three of the tiers have theater boxes, while the uppermost two tiers have several graduated rows of seating. Like many great theaters, it is bedecked in red velvet and accented with gold. The current seating capacity is 1,600 people.

The theater hosts opera performances as well as ballet and other concerts. The seasons for each vary, as do ticket prices for various shows. There are tours of the opera house available, however, on Mondays from 10:00am-2:00pm.

Built in 1722, St. Anne's Church is known for its large golden fish weathervane, which stands atop its bell tower and can be seen from much of the city. Visitors can climb the tower and try to play a tune on the church's eight bells, which were immortalized in the 19th-century poem, "The Bells of Shandon."

 

St. Anne's Church is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cork. Visitors are free to wander around the church when services are not in progress but must pay a small fee to climb the tower and ring the bells. The tower is sometimes called the "four-faced liar" because the clock faces displayed on its four sides never seem to be in sync, and often display different times.

 

Guided walking tour groups often visit St. Anne's as well as other Cork sights. Visitors can also hire a private guide, or purchase an audio tour that offers the opportunity to explore Cork independently.

 

 

St. Anne's Church is situated in the Shandon district of Cork, north of the River Lee. Walking from St. Patrick's Quay or Grand Parade will take about 10 minutes. Alternatively, Bus Éireann route 203 runs between Grand Parade and the church.

 

The church is open year-round. Opening hours and tower access can be affected by religious services. The church receives most visitors during the summer months. On busy days, such as Cork Heritage Open Day in August, you can expect to wait in line to ring the bells. To avoid crowds, visit in the morning.

 

Visitors to St. Anne's are able to ring the bells of Shandon, which were originally cast in 1750 but have since been recast several times. Instruction booklets show visitors how to play simple tunes, such as "Frère Jacques," by pulling the bells in the right sequence. Earplugs are provided to protect visitors from the loud ringing sound.

St. Peter's Church in Riga is a Lutheran church that dates back to the beginning of the 13th century and is one of the oldest examples of medieval architecture in the Baltics. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The middle part of the church is the oldest, with only a few remnants remaining in the outer nave walls. The sanctuary was built in the 15th century and the church was later reconstructed to conform to the new sanctuary, resulting in a large basilica with three aisles and elaborate vaulted ceilings. Additional construction occurred in the 17th century, when a new tower was added and the roof, ceilings and furnishings were renovated. Today, the clock tower plays a Latvian folk song five times a day, while the bell rings every hour.

The church was destroyed during World War II and was rebuilt from 1967 to 1983, with services only resuming in 1991. It is also used for concerts and exhibitions.

The SS Rotterdam, La Grand Dame, is the former flagship cruise liner of the Holland America Cruise Line, which since 2010 is now a hotel, restaurant, and event center located in Rotterdam Harbor.

The SS Rotterdam was built in Rotterdam, inaugurated in 1958 and put into service in 1959, making a Trans-Atlantic crossing to New York for its maiden voyage. At the time, the ship was one of the ten largest cruise ships in the world. The ship's design was more streamlined and modern than traditional cruise liners at the time with a sharp, high bow and slender flues instead of the traditional chimney of other cruise ships.

The Rotterdam was used for many years for these Trans-Atlantic crossings, until this was replaced by air travel as the preferred mode in the early 1970's. The SS Rotterdam was then converted into a cruise service in the manner of cruise lines today, serving the Holland America line until the mid-1990s. In the late 1990s, the ship was renamed the Rembrandt and was used by Premier cruises for shorter European cruises, until the Premier line went out of business in 2000.

Between 2005 and 2008, the ship regained its old name and was restored to its original luxury, while being upgraded and modernized to service its current purpose. In 2008, the ship returned to Rotterdam and docked at Katendrecht, in the center of Rotterdam. 

Today, visitors to the ss Rotterdam can wander the ship, visiting most areas, as they are open to the public. For some areas, you need to book one of the private tours to get in. Tour packages include an above-deck Sea Breeze Deluxe tour of the bow, bridge, and captain's cabin, or a below-deck Steam & Chrome tour of the engine rooms, crew areas, and radio room. You can also combine both tours into the Rotterdam Complete tour to see the whole ship.

The Rotterdam is a fully functioning hotel with 254 guest rooms. The steamship also features two restaurants and two bars, as well as an outdoor terrace where you can relax with a drink by the poolside.

On a grassy paddock just outside of the village of Kenmare sit 15 stone boulders "” 13 standing upright and another two prostrate. These large stones arranged in an egg shape comprise one of the largest stone circles in Southwest Ireland, dating back to the Bronze Age. In the middle of the stone circle sits a dolmen with a capstone, often used to mark the burial place of a significant figure in the Munster region. Experts believe the capstone to weigh nearly seven tons, which would have required 30-odd men to drag into position.

The stone circle in Kenmare is one of over 180 in Ireland and of 20 in County Kerry. It's the only one in the region to exhibit an egg shape.

Now permanently berthed at Belfast's Hamilton dry dock, the SS Nomadic is the last surviving vessel from the White Star Line, the once-prominent shipping line behind the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Built in the Harland and Wolff shipyards, the SS Nomadic was the tender to the Titanic, ferrying passengers to the luxury cruise liner.

The SS Nomadic now functions as a museum, with exhibits spread across four decks. Visitors can learn about its construction and its role in the Titanic story, as well as admire restored interiors and find out about its wartime service and stint as a Parisian restaurant-nightclub. Self-guided and guided tours are available. Tickets for the neighboring Titanic Belfast Experience include free admission to the SS Nomadic. Buy tickets in advance to skip the line.

 

 

The SS Nomadic sits in Hamilton dry dock, right beside Titanic Belfast, in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. Walk here from Belfast city center in about 20 minutes, or take the train to the Titanic Quarter station, which is 10"“15-minutes' walk away. Several Metro bus routes, including the 26, 26a, and 26c stop nearby.

 

The SS Nomadic is usually busiest between June and August, especially on weekend afternoons. If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, come midweek during spring or autumn when the Titanic Quarter sees less foot traffic.

The SS Nomadic stayed afloat for decades after the sinking of the Titanic. The ship continued to work as a tender for White Star's luxury cruisers, and was used in both world wars before finally ending up as a floating party boat on the River Seine in Paris. Having been purchased by the Northern Irish government in 2002, the SS Nomadic was restored and retired to the dry dock in Belfast where it now stands.

There are many ways to enjoy Barcelona's legendary Tablao Flamenco Cordobes. Located in the heart of the popular Las Ramblas District, the go-to destination for flamenco in the city is a staple among tourists and locals alike, featuring top flamenco dancers and multiple live shows per night.

Enjoy the natural acoustics of the restaurant with a flamenco show that includes an all-you-can-eat buffet of traditional foods like paella and a complimentary cocktail, served an hour-and-a-half before each performance. Guests who upgrade to the dinner and show experience get their first pick of seats for the performance"”an exhilarating two-hour experience in an equally lively and intimate setting.

For an experience you can't get anywhere else, take an exclusive Viator tour including a one-hour flamenco lesson and following performance at the Tablao Flamenco Cordobes.

Standing at the intersection of two historically important trade roads, Via Regia and Via Imperii, St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig dates to 1165. The oldest church in the city, it was originally built in a Romanesque style, but was enlarged and converted into a Gothic hall church in the 16th century. An octagonal central tower was added at that time as well. Martin Luther is said to have preached at the church, which has been Protestant since 1539. The interior of the church is notable for the pillars in the nave that end in palm-like flourishes. Johann Sebastian Bach once served as the music director for the church and several of his works debuted in the church in the 18th century.

The church gained national prominence in 1989 due to peaceful demonstrations outside the church protesting communist rule in Germany. Today, it remains one of the largest churches in the Saxony region of Germany, holding up to 1400.

Among the most iconic landmarks of Dusseldorf's picturesque Alstadt (Old Town), St Lambertus Church is famous for its distinctive twisted tower. Originally built in the 14th century, the church tower was rebuilt after a fire in 1815 and the use of wet arbors caused it to twist. Legend however, tells a different story "“ a bride dressed in white came to the altar pretending to be a virgin, and the tower turned, allegedly to only return to its previous form when a real virgin appears at the altar. 

Today the medieval church is among Dusseldorf's oldest buildings, with highlights including the bronze-coated door by Ewald Matare, the exquisite Rieger organ and the tomb of Duke Wilhelm V of Jülich-Kleve-Berg.

Suomenlinna Toy Museum has a great collection of old toys and dolls, teddy bears, toy cars and games, some of which date back to the 1800s. A little museum showcasing the long history of toys, visiting is a unique way to get acquainted with Finnish culture and tradition. No furbies or tamagotchis here, even Suomenlinna's newest toys are over 50 years old.

Housed in a wooden villa on Iso Mustasaari Island, the cozy museum's private collection is large and well displayed, and has over 100 antique teddy bears on show. Suomenlinna Toy Museum is interesting for both kids and adults, and there are guidebooks available so you can read about the toys' stories and their previous lives. The house itself was originally built in 1911 by a captain who manned the headquarters of Viapori fortress. Aptly, one of the museum's specialities is wartime toys and games.

The museum cafe and its outdoor terrace is almost as popular as the toys The cafe sells home-made pastries, coffees and teas. There's also a toy store where you can buy authentic Steiff teddy bears.

Amsterdam's most important Roman Catholic Church, and, in fact, Amsterdam's only basilica, was built between 1884 and 1887 and is now of the city's most recognizable icons thanks to striking Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance features. The façade, which is flanked by two imposing towers, features an intricate rose window depicting Christ and the four Evangelists made in the acclaimed Van den Bossche and Crevels workshop. The basilica's interior is lavishly decorated with white and red marble, a collection of religious murals, dozens of statues, intricate stained glass, and many more luxurious attributes.

St Nicholas Church holds a special place in the heart of the Roman Catholics of Amsterdam; for centuries, they were banned from practicing their faith freely and were forced to turn to clandestine networks as the Kingdom of the Netherlands was openly Protestant. When the freedom of religion finally prevailed in Amsterdam, a new Catholic church was needed to meet the rapidly increasing demand. It was elevated to basilica minor to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2012.

At 1,030 feet (314 meters), the Tallinn TV Tower is the tallest building in Estonia. Construction began in September 1975 and took five years to complete; the official opening was on July 11, 1980, and it's been a city landmark since.

Visitors can get a panoramic view of the city from 175 meters up after taking a 49-second elevator ride. Before heading up, visitors are shown a 3D film about the tower, and there's also an interactive Estonian Hall of Fame exhibition on the greatest achievements of Estonians through the ages and a fascinating overview of the history of the tower itself. At the viewing level, a special panorama program magnifies the view by a factor of 10. The floor even has glass panels that allow visitors to see down to the ground. A cafe sits on the 22nd floor and serves fine cuisine at night and hosts live music on the weekends.

Especially daring visitors can participate in the tower's Walk on the Edge feature, in which participants can walk on the outdoor ledge of the viewing platform while safely attached to a harness. There's even a repelling option where visitors can repel from the ledge of the tower.

Located at the heart of the 18th-century sailors' quarter, the church was affectionately nicknamed the "Sailor's Church" and served as an important naval center, from where pre-voyage prayers and blessings were made. Today, the two-story church remains a place of worship, as well as a popular tourist attraction, with visitors flocking to admire its magnificent paintings and gilded iconostasis, pay their respects at the memorials of lost seamen and take in the views from the belfry.

Located in a wing of the 1952 Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, the Sports Museum of Finland is an extensive collection of historical artifacts, memorabilia, posters, and photos documenting the country's sport history. The museum itself was founded in 1938 as a simple collection of historic skis. The original plan was to place the museum in the Olympic Stadium during the 1940 Olympics which had been awarded to Helsinki. However, the games were canceled due to The Second World War, and plans for the museum were also put on hold. Despite the war, the museum was still opened in 1943. And, eventually, the world got a glimpse when the games finally came to Helsinki in 1952.

Today, there are both permanent and temporary exhibitions at the museum. The permanent exhibitions focus on Finnish sports history and culture. There are exhibitions documenting people like Matti Nykanen, who was one of the world's most successful ski jumpers. There is also a section documenting some of Finland's more obscure sports such as Pesapallo. The temporary exhibits are more interactive in nature and focus on getting children involved.

Szentendre sits on the western flank of the River Danube Bend just north of Budapest, an arty hotspot crammed with brightly painted Baroque houses, Orthodox churches and museums tucked among scores of galleries, craft shops and cafes. Largely constructed in the 18th century by Serbian refugees, the heart of the town is found in the cobbled, triangular Main Square (Szechenyi ter or Fo ter), which is dominated by an elaborate memorial cross erected by the Serbian Trade Association in thanks for being spared an epidemic in 1763. Today surrounded by delicate wrought-iron railings, the cross is inscribed with the dates of its renovations across three centuries. Also standing on the square is the Baroque Serbian Orthodox Church, constructed in 1752 and topped with a bronze spire, along with the pastel-hued town houses of Serbian merchants. In summer music and drama festivals take place in the square, in winter a bustling Christmas market takes pride of place. The souvenir stores in the labyrinthine winding lanes leading off the Main Square all have colorful displays spilling out into the streets; this is the spot to load up with pálinka (Hungarian fruit brandy) and hand-embroidered linen tablecloths.

This 1,000-seat theater in Las Palmas leaves no one indifferent; be it for its prestigious shows or its splendid façade, visitors always enjoy themselves at Teatro Perez Galdos. Built in 1890 and completely renovated in 2007, it is now one of the most modern theaters in all of Spain, and the permanent home of the Opera Festival of Las Palmas. The theater was named after famed Spanish realist novelist and playwright Benito Perez Galdos, which was the leading literary figure in 19th-century Spain and, incidentally, was born in Las Palmas. But the celebrated playwright wasn't all that enthused about the theatre's arrival, which, according to him, was too extravagant. It even inspired Galdos to write satirical poems about the building...only to have it named after him a few years later. Speaking of famous connections, the theatre is also home to the Saint-Saëns room, in honor of the French composer who spent quite a bit of time on Gran Canaria, composing numerous symphonies. The lavishly ornate room is a marvel of architecture and is the crown jewel of the theater; the main concert hall, however, is not to be overlooked, with its splendid ceiling and perfectly symmetrical pavilions.

What is a German type-II U-boat doing as a museum on the shores of Helsinki's Suomenlinna Sea Fortress? Here's the story. Built by the Dutch in 1931, Vesikko was a secret submarine built for experimental purposes for the German Navy. It was built in secret in Finland because, after World War I, the Treaty of Versailles officially banned Germany from making armaments.

In 1935, however, the Finnish Defence Forces bought Vesikko submarine, and its navy successfully used the sub to protect Finland against encroaching Russia during World War II. After the second world war, under the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947, Finland was banned from keeping submarines and was ordered to sell its little fleet of five to Belgium for scraps in 1953. The only submarine left in the country was Vesikko. But what does "Vesikko" mean? It's the Finnish name for the European mink. After all, both submarine and animal are small predators.

One of the most advanced submarine designs of its time, a visit inside is quite a shock to the modern visitor. By today's standards, the submarine is tiny, and it's fascinating to be able to go inside to see and touch everything, imagining just how a 20-man crew would have fit in its claustrophobic walls at the time. One of Suomenlinna's main attractions, Vesikko submarine receives nearly 30,000 visitors a year.