Europe

One of the most exciting and economical ways to see Europe is by rail. Purchasing a Eurail pass allows you to take trains throughout Europe for a single price.

One of the world's great art meccas, Florence, Italy is a wonderful place to learn about painting, sculpture and architecture. It also boasts fantastic Northern Italian cooking.

Experience "la dolce vita" in this Northern Italian city, famed for romance, Tintoretto paintings, canals and festivals. But try to bypass the droves of tourists.

Berlin was demolished in 1945, and was then rebuilt as the divided city on the frontline of the superpower conflict. Berliners persevered, and isolated West Berlin preserved old German culture...

In 1508, Munich became the capital of Bavaria, Germany's affluent southern state just north of the Alps. It has grown tremendously and today is a commercial, industrial and high-tech center, but...

The exquisite, grandiose buildings of Vienna make it easy to imagine this Austrian city as the seat of the Hapsburgs, who ruled much of Europe from 1278 to 1918. In the 18th and 19th centuries,...

Through the centuries, Amsterdam has breathed life into such terms as liberalism, tolerance and free thought. By the end of the millennium many of the issues have changed, but Amsterdam's stance...

Rediscovering Athens' ancient glory behind today's smog, congestion and concrete doesn't have to be a Herculean task: Read along and go to this Greek city prepared.

Paris is a huge, often confusing city, but once you figure out how to navigate through the arrondissements and how to use the métro, you should be able to find your way around fairly easily.

London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, but it's also one of the most expensive. It is possible to get around London without spending all your holiday money, though, especially if...

Amsterdam is a compact, beautiful city, where getting from place to place can be more than half the fun. Getting around doesn't have to cost a lot, either; in an otherwise expensive city,...

Getting around Venice is an adventure in itself. There's something wonderful about stumbling onto unexpected spots, so wrong turns and flawed directions may be a blessing in disguise.

Florence was the center of the Italian Renaissance and is still the home of countless art treasures, glorious Renaissance architecture, and great food and wine. Getting around Florence is easy and...

Hungary's capital city was formed when the old capital, Buda, and the commercial capital, Pest, united in 1873 to create Budapest, one city spanning the Danube River. Although Budapest suffered at...

Prague's architecture is so well-preserved and stunning that the downtown core feels like an open-air museum. When the filmmakers of "Amadeus" wanted to recreate Mozart's world, they simply set up...

The chaos that typifies a visit to Greece is often evident when you place a call to Greece; connections are often poor. But if the following steps don't work the first time, try, try again.

The baroque architecture and lively atmosphere of the capital city, Budapest, as well as colorful villages along the Danube River are reason enough to visit Hungary. If you're planning a trip and...

Roman ruins, Renaissance art, and gelato morning, noon and night - the reasons to visit Italy are almost endless. Should you be planning a trip, follow these steps to place a call to Italy from...

Latvia may not be on most people's itinerary, but those in search of an adventure might want to visit the capital city, Riga, or the scenic Gauja National Park. Book your trip and daily excursion...

It seems that Westernization hasn't brought modernization to Bulgaria yet - at least if their phone system is any indication. Consider yourself lucky if you get a fairly clear connection and...

War in the region has scared away most visitors in recent years, though Croatia's people have made great strides toward rebuilding since relative peace came to Croatia in late 1995. If you'd like...

This little country in the heart of Europe often attracts visitors looking for unusual stamps in their passport, but savvy travelers know about its medieval buildings, World War II monuments and...

The phone network in the Czech Republic is fairly well developed compared to those of other eastern European countries, so if you're planning a trip to Prague, you shouldn't have too many problems...

Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea south of Turkey, the island of Cyprus has been torn by conflicts between the Greek and Turkish regions. Still, some people consider this temperate island nation...

The tiny principality of Monaco, surrounded on all sides by France, shares many things in common with that country, including the official language, the currency and many of the government...

Many people stop in this small and orderly country on their way from mainland Europe to Scandinavia. Others think the capital, Copenhagen, and its surrounding islands and castles merit a trip in...

This compact country attracts high-brow tulip sniffers who enjoy the area's Golden Age art, as well as a younger crowd interested in Amsterdam's famously liberal stance toward marijuana. Whichever...

Estonia's cobblestone streets and red-tile roofs help to make this the most visited of the Baltic Republics. And it's easy to place a direct phone call to Estonia using the following steps.

A stunner of a country, filled with sawtooth peaks, glacier-carved fjords, and waterfalls cascading down seemingly every mountain, Norway practically begs you to put on your hiking boots and...

Finns always seem to be carrying on conversations on their cell phones. And you can carry on a conversation with them by following these steps.

The Riviera, the Louvre, Bordeaux wines, and roughly a million kinds of cheese - the reasons to visit France are endless. And if you're planning a visit, you might need to make a call first. Just...

One of the best ways to get around Europe is by train, since it's relatively affordable and lots of fun. Train travelers need to be extra careful with their belongings, though, to protect...

Amsterdam isn't one of the cheapest cities in Europe, but it is one of the most fun. Food and lodgings tend to be fairly expensive, but it is possible to eat well, even on a budget. You just need...

Barcelona has plenty to offer its visitors, including good food! Many of Barcelona's Catalan restaurants can be very expensive, though, so plan your meals carefully if you are traveling on a tight...

Florence is a great city for food ' so great, in fact, that you may blow your budget. It is possible to eat well on a shoestring, though, especially if you enjoy picnics and have slightly...

Paris is famous for both the quality and high prices of its restaurant food. While it's true that a meal with wine at a four-star restaurant will cost you the equivalent of many hundreds of...

Venice is one of the most expensive cities in Italy, partly because its lack of agriculture means that most of the fresh food has to be brought in from elsewhere. You can unearth good food in...

Rome, the Eternal City, also seems to suffer from eternal traffic congestion. But remember, there are lots of cheap and easy public transport options to help you get around the city.

Visitors come to Munich for historical sites, famous beer gardens and amazing architecture. It's easy to get around Munich on the cheap, even if you don't speak a word of German; the public...

Vienna is a clean, friendly and beautiful city with an excellent transit system. You can get around town inexpensively even if you don't speak a word of German.

Brussels became the capital of Belgium in 1830, and in recent decades has become a city of international politics as the center of the European Union and NATO. Brussels' historic buildings lend...

Want to spend the day window-shopping at glamorous boutiques? Then the local mall is not your answer. For the price of a plane ticket to Paris, you can enjoy browsing one of the most famous...

Rack your brain, ask your friends, consult your therapist and chances are they will agree that the most romantic spot on Earth has got to be the top of the Eiffel Tower. So, now you know where to...

Strolling along the Seine, photographing the Cathedral of Notre Dame or hiking to the top of the Eiffel Tower can really work up an appetite. This would be the perfect opportunity to try some...

You may think a trip to Paris would be the vacation of a lifetime, but choosing the right hotel can make the difference between a good vacation and a great one. Take some time before you leave to...

Rome is a great city for food ' so great, in fact, that you may blow your food budget. It's possible to eat well on a shoestring, though, especially if you enjoy picnics.

Edinburgh is a lively mix of the historical and the modern. Thanks to its annual arts festival, it has become one of Europe's most exciting cultural destinations. You will certainly find lots of...

Munich is one of Europe's more expensive cities, thanks in part to its location in the wealthy province of Bavaria. The local specialties are tasty and filling, however, and you can get a good...

Vienna is known for its elegant coffeehouses, delectable pastries and sweet specialties like Linzertorte and Sachertorte. It can cost a lot to eat well in Vienna, but it doesn't have to,...

If you're visiting Belgium, no matter what time of year, be sure to bring your raincoat, an umbrella and this information about calling home.