Things to Do in Europe

Cappadocia’s Grand Canyon, the 328 ft (100 m) deep Ihlara Valley was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago.
 
Around 4,000 people lived in the valley and there were 80 churches carved into the cliff faces, 12 of which can be visited today. These days the valley is home to one of the most popular hiking trails in Cappadocia with 26 bends along an 8 mile (14km) route that passes vineyards and pistacio trees.
 
The valley begins at the village of Ihlara and ends at Selime Monastery in the village of Selime, but there are two other entrances depending on how far you are willing to hike. Around 2.8 miles (4 km) into the valley is the most popular entry point with 300 steps down to the valley floor. Or you can drive to the village of Belisirma in the middle of the valley. The best section for seeing churches is between Ihlara and Belisirma.

This is a place to let your mind run free in a seemingly lunar landscape with rock formations that look like animals.
 
The Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, has none of the cave churches, Byzantine frescoes or Roman citadel ruins that are famous throughout the rest of Cappadocia; but what it does have is an extraordinary landscape shaped by nature to make you laugh and wonder and explore.
 
Only a 10 minute drive from Göreme, between Avanos and Ürgüp, the valley is like a rock-formed zoo. Walk the trail and you’ll see a landscape filled with snakes, camels, seals and dolphins and whatever else your mind chooses to make of the twisting curving rocks. Maybe even a dragon. There are also small fairy chimneys, the rock pillars so distinctive of Cappadocia.

Ile de la Cité shares the Seine River with its upstream neighbor, Ile Saint-Louis, right in the middle of Paris's city center. The westernmost end of the island is mostly residential with a small park at the tip, while the eastern end gives visitors the best view of the flying buttresses of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Palais de Justice is also housed on the island, which has the Sainte-Chapelle inside, a tiny jewel box of almost kaleidoscopic color thanks to its wonderful stained glass.

Archaeologists found evidence of habitation on this island by the Romans, as early as the first century BC. But the early 17th century was when the island came into its own, after the construction of the Pont Neuf that spans the river and intersects with the western end.

The glittering disco ball of the Mediterranean, Ibiza is famed for its stylish clubs, scantily clad starlets, world-class DJs, and powdery white beaches. Its auto-tuned siren song calls out to every hennaed hippy and jet-set D-lister able to hold his or her liquor, tempting each to make their way across the sapphire sea and dance into an international playground of exceptional beauty.

Of course, Ibiza is much more than its infamous party scene. With a rich history hearkening back to the Phoenicians, it has its share of ancient edifices, and even a few museums. Diving, sailing, hiking, and bicycling are just a few of the healthy ways to work off your hangover. For a change of scenery, take a boat over to less developed Formentera Island, known for both its natural and naturist beauty. 

Ibiza is also beginning to market its family-friendly resorts, perfect for the heavily tattooed couple eager to show their children that perfect beach where they first fell in love. If they could only remember which one it was. Cheers!