Europa mit Bus und Bahn entdecken

About the destination: From its breathtaking medieval centre to its 21st-century temple to Surrealism, the new Magritte Museum, Brussels offers the visitor a great deal more than just beer and chocolate and is resoundingly unlike its unfortunate staid image as the home of EU bureaucrats. Indeed, Brussels is a creative, dynamic city. Its compact city centre is clustered with bars, restaurants and museums set along cobbled streets. Inevitably, most tourists head to the Grand-Place. With its ornate Flemish guild houses, impressive Town Hall and buzzing atmosphere, it would be difficult to find a more beautiful square in the whole of Europe. It deservedly is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the city’s crowning jewel. Wander next to the nearby Royal and Sablon districts teeming with art galleries and antique shops. Throw away your map and meander down a myriad side streets, discovering flea markets, art-deco houses and boutique stores. The Bruxellois take pride in their self-effacing, intellectual sense of humour, underpinned by a strong appreciation of the bizarre. The city has a long-running love affair with the Surrealist art movement, pioneered by René Magritte, and with classic comic strips, epitomised by Hergé's boy hero, Tintin. There's a telling irony in the fact that the city's best-known landmark is the Manneken-Pis, a tiny statuette of a urinating boy. Meanwhile, all of this sits alongside world-class collections of art, fabulous cooking including mussels, frites, waffles and whelks, some of Europe’s best and unique beers (literally, there are thousands of varieties), and master-chocolatiers. The city’s cultural calendar is packed with events for everyone from the massive, raucous Foire du Midi street fair every July teeming with stalls and fairground attractions to the legendary Christmas Market that takes centre stage in the Place Sainte Catherine with 240 stalls, a skating rink, a big wheel, and numerous rides. One of the biggest events is Art Brussels, showcasing the city’s edgier, creative side and a hub for art connoisseurs from around the globe. If you’re a Euro-loving national, check out the European Quarter, centered around Schuman and the Berlaymont. Its liveliest part is the Place du Luxembourg: all its bars fill up around 6pm on week days with some of the 20,000 diplomats, politicians and civil servants who reside in the city after Brussels became the centre of international political following WWII. Open your eyes and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all that Brussels has to offer.

About the destination: Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city that never fails to delight visitors with its charming canals, historic architecture, and vibrant culture. This beautiful city offers something for everyone, from art lovers and history buffs to foodies and party-goers. One of the most iconic features of Amsterdam is its canal system, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a boat tour or stroll along the canals to admire the picturesque bridges and colorful houseboats that line the waterways. The city is also home to many world-renowned museums, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, which houses a vast collection of Dutch art and artifacts. For those looking to indulge in some shopping, Amsterdam has plenty of options. The city's main shopping district is centered around Dam Square, where you'll find everything from high-end fashion to quirky boutiques. And when it comes to dining, Amsterdam is a food lover's paradise. From traditional Dutch dishes like stroopwafels and bitterballen to international cuisine from all corners of the globe, there's something to suit every taste. When the sun goes down, Amsterdam comes alive with a buzzing nightlife scene. Head to the famous Red Light District for a taste of the city's more risqué offerings, or hit up one of the many bars and clubs that dot the city's streets. No matter what your interests, Amsterdam is a city that's sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

About the destination: Paris, situated on the river Seine, is the capital and largest city in France. It is one of the most iconic cities in the world and it is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic cities, so much so that is has been dubbed the City of Love. Paris offers historical sights, monuments, a pleasant atmosphere, lovely cafés, parks and museums to satisfy any traveler. A large part of this City of Light, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to some of the greatest old building in the world such as Le Tour Eiffel, Notre Dâme, Sacre Coeur, L´Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles, the Moulin Rouge or the Hotel des Invalides. There is no ending of the list of things you have to see in this city, but Le Louvre, one of the finest museums in the world of art and culture, should not be missed. Paris remains vastly influential in the realms of art and design and is home to some of the most impressive modern buildings such as La Défense, the Centre Pompidou, the Institut du Monde Arabe or the Stade de France. Paris is a city of immense vitality and beauty and it is an amazing and fascinating destination. With its history and architectural patrimony, Paris is the city everyone wants to see.

About the destination: Of all European capitals, London lives deepest in the imagination of travelers. We absorb London before we know it exists and when we finally approach the city, it does not disappoint. There are the red double-deckers, the bobbies and impassive guards at Buckingham, Westminster Abbey, and the notes of Big Ben, sounding familiar, as we have heard them before. We see these things with satisfaction. Yet there is much to surprise. London is not quaint. London is not a museum, though you could spend all of your time going from one to the next. It is a booming, urban sprawl, with traffic snarls, shops, and an astonishing international population. Visit the many monuments with nearly a millennium's worth of history, from the grave of Chaucer to the pub where the captain of the Mayflower drank to Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s most photographed sights. But don’t miss contemporary London, with its intensely active theatres, international cuisine, political demonstrations, the latest in music and fashion, punks and peers, and everyone in between. In 1777, writer Samuel Johnson said when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, and the phrase is still true. There's something different to experience every day in London.

About the destination: Dull plains and sad cities? No, that is not what the north of France is about, and Lille proves it. Flemish, Spanish and Austrian throughout history, Louis XIV annexed it to France in 1667. This lively city offers a rare agglomeration of architectural beauty, entertainment, cultural life and economic prosperity. Connected by TGV and Eurostar to London and Brussels, Lille is a regional and European metropolis. Lille is famous for its museums and historical quarters; the old town has regained its facades from the 17th and 18th centuries. The facades, combining brick and carved stone is characteristic of the city. An example of the Flemish Renaissance is The House of Gilles de la Boë with its lush decor. The place Louise de Bettignes is a perfect representation of the 17th century trend, with its diamond shaped carved stones. The most popular museums of Lille are the Museum of General De Gaulle, the Museum of Fine Arts, featuring rich collections of great artists as Botticelli, Rubens, Delacroix, Titian, Goya, Veronese, and it is the second largest picture gallery of France after Louvre, and the Museum of Natural History and Geology of Lille, famous for its aquariums and an insectarium. Cool and fashionable, Lille has become the hub of northern France. Its pulsating creativity and industrial background have made it a top shopping spot where to buy quality clothes. And let’s not forget its cutting-edge, student-driven nightlife scene.