Europa reisetips

Bare fordi navnet assosieres med truger og isbreer betyr ikke det at Island kun er en vinterdestinasjon – faktisk så er sommermånedene en av de mest populære periodene å utforske landet på, med lysere dager som gjør at du kan dra på turer til sent på kveld. Her er noen forslag til hva du kan gjøre på Island i sommer. 1. Hesteridning Sal opp en legendarisk islandshest – en liten og tøff hesterase som er kjent for sin unike gange. Hesteridning på den islandske landsbygda er en av de beste måtene å se landets spektakulære vulkanske landskap på, i tillegg til at det er en komfortabel og rask måte å komme seg frem på. Hesteridningsturer er tilgjengelige på hele øya. 2. Fjellturer i nasjonalparkene Ikke tenk på snø og truger (med mindre du skal opp på isbreene), for fjellturer om sommeren er en varmere opplevelse, og det er den beste perioden å besøke Islands nasjonalparker på og prøve seg på noen av de berømte turstiene. Opplev Vatnajökull, Europas største nasjonalpark, for å få flott utsikt over landets største isbre og den buldrende Dettifoss-fossen, ta en dagstur til nasjonalparken Thingvellir fra Reykjavik, eller klatre i rhyolitt-fjellene i Landmannalaugar. 3. Ta en biltur Om sommeren er det mindre sjanse for isete veier og farlige kjøreforhold, og dermed er dette det perfekte tidspunktet å leie en bil eller bobil på og kjøre rundt på Island, enten som en del av en guidet tur eller på egenhånd. Kjør rundt på øya på ringveien, som strekker seg rundt hele øya, eller dra ut på en skikkelig islandsk sommerferie på kuperte fjellveier og lei en hytte i villmarken. 4. Se etter dyr Islands kystlinje yrer av et marint dyreliv, og etter hvert som været blir varmere, tilbyr båtcruise mange muligheter til å se på dyrelivet. Se hvaler i sine naturlige omgivelser uten for kysten av Húsavík, få et glimt av lundefugler på øyene Lundey og Akurey i nærheten av havneområdet i Reykjavík eller dra ut på fisketur. 5. Opplev sommerfestivaler på Island Sommer på Island betyr mange morsomme festivaler, og mange av disse arrangeres i løpet av Verslunarmannahelgi (en offentlig feriehelg i begynnelsen av august). Nasjonalfestivalen, som arrangeres på øyene Vestmannaeyjar, er en av de største. Dette er en firedagers musikk- og underholdningsfestival som tiltrekker seg tusenvis av besøkende fra hele landet, men Reykjavík har også en rekke sommerarrangementer, inkludert Gay Pride-festivalen, Menningarnótt (kulturnatt) og Reykjavík jazzfestival. Andre populære årlige festivaler er festivalen for lyse dager i Hafnarfjordur, musikkfestivalen Reykholt i Reykholt og vikingfestivalen i Hafnarfjordur.

Day 1: See London Explore London on a hop-on hop-off bus tour or a private black cab experience, and be sure to visit St Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, the South Bank, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Day 2: London Shopping and Touring Harrod’s, Oxford Circus, and Piccadilly Circus are famous for their shops, but for a more local flavour, then visit Portobello Road for its antiques (Saturdays); Borough Market for the great food (Saturday); and Camden Markets with its alternative fashions and hand-made crafts. Don't miss the Tate Modern, the British Museum, the National Gallery, or the Victoria and Albert Museum. Day 3: Day Trips Beyond Head out of the city and explore Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath. Visit Stratford, birthplace of Shakespeare or the famous universities at Oxford and Cambridge. Go even further afield and try haggis in Edinburgh or snails in Paris.

Sommermånedene betyr at britene endelig kan vinke farvel til en dyster himmel og si hei til (i hvert fall) litt varmere vær. Det finnes en rekke alternativer for å grave seg ned i kulturen og historien til dette legendariske reisemålet. En av de beste måtene for besøkende å oppleve de populære severdighetene på er ved å ta en hopp-på-hopp-av-tur med en dobbeltdekkerbuss. Det er en enkel måte for reisende å tilpasse en tur til sine interesser, og å utforske gatene i London uten å måtte navigere seg gjennom trafikken og rundkjøringene. Enten du er interessert i å se Windsor Castle, vaktskiftet ved Buckingham Palace eller ta en tur rundt på Tower of London og London Bridge, så finnes det nok av alternativer for besøkende som er ute etter kongelig behandling. Reisende som foretrekker å ta turen utenfor bygrensen og ta et dypdykk i Englands historiske fortid, kan reise til legendariske Stonehenge eller få et innblikk i virkeligheten på Downton Abbey via en tur innom Highclere Castle utenfor London.

With hundreds of tourists taking to the route each day, Iceland’s Golden Circle route isn’t the place to get off-the-beaten-track, but there’s a reason why is so popular. The 300 km tourist road loops around some of south Iceland’s most spectacular scenery, including the Thingvellir National Park and the famous Geysir and Strokkur geysers. If you’ve only got one day to spend in Reykjavik, touring the Golden circle should check a few must-sees off your to-do list, but even with more time to explore, there’s nowhere in Iceland where you can see so much topographical variety on one short trip. The easiest way to explore the route is to take a Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik, but it’s also possible to hire a car and drive yourself, although weather conditions can make the roads difficult to navigate. Starting out from the capital, tours head east and the first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage listed Thingvellir National Park, once home to Iceland’s first parliament.

As busy as you're likely to have been packing, planning your trip, checking luggage and that lot, why not ease into your vacation with a laid-back morning tour of Athens, which highlights modern marvels with the wonders of the ancients. From there, on to Athens' crown jewel, the towering Acropolis. Alternatively, walking and/or biking are great ways to see the city, and a private walking tour with the option to be a bit more photographic is always a nice introduction to the city. Cradled by Mount Parnassus, the modern, buslting town of Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and original resting place of the Delphic oracle - the most important oracle in ancient Greece and a major site for the worship of Apollo. Explore the Temple of Apollo and other famous sites on a day trip from Athens, or venture further on a multi-day Delphi tour. Complement your experience of classical Greece with a half-day visit to Cape Sounion.

The Harry Potter series have enchanted children and adults alike, with the film blockbusters generating interest in the real and fantasy locations. However, whether you arrive in London by broomstick or jumbo, you can still see some of these sites on a guided walking or black cab tour. With a tours tailored to Potter fans you’ll see Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾, the Entrance to the Leaky Caldron and much more.

Of the global cultural wonders which have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, only one represents an entire country: Vatican City. The world’s smallest sovereign state is – as well as being the spiritual home of the world’s billion or so Catholics – an incomparable storehouse of artistic treasures. It’s also one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, so a pre-booked ticket which takes you to the head of the line is a must. Once you’ve mounted the remarkable double helix stairs at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, a unique overview of the origins and development of Western art awaits you. It’s a journey which takes you from fine Greek and Roman statuary to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, the undisputed masterpiece of the Renaissance, and on to contemporary ecclesiastical works. And that’s before you’ve even stepped inside the colossal house of worship that is St Peter’s Basilica, with Michelangelo’s Pietà and countless other sacred works.

Your first stop in Santorini will most likely be Fira, the island’s main town. Catch up on Cyclades culture at Fira’s folklore museum, or browse the string of goldsmiths’ shops lining the lagoon’s picturesque rim. Then follow the path north to Oia, a leisurely few hours’ cliff-top walk, and explore the village backstreets. Stay on to catch one of Oia’s legendary sunsets before heading back to Fira for a night of wining, dining and partying in the town’s clutch of tavernas, restaurants, bars and clubs. Choose your day trip destination to suit your mood. Will it be a lazy day at Kamari Beach, soaking up the sun, snacking at beach bars and diving into the sea for a snorkel? Or will it be a short sail to the island of Thirassia, to indulge in a long leisurely lunch at a local taverna? A more active and extended day trip takes you to the island of Ios, to explore the main town, Hora, and the island’s beaches, inland villages and Bronze Age ruins.

England’s only UNESCO World Heritage listed city, the cobblestone streets and exquisite architecture of Bath make it one of the UK’s most attractive cities and put it firmly at the top of many tourists’ itineraries. Windsor Castle is the largest working castle in the world that is still occupied by monarchy. For over 900 years, since William the Conqueror built a wooden fortress here, this has been a royal home and fortress. Queen Elizabeth spends a month at Easter, a week in June and most weekends at Windsor. This is also where she often hosts State Dinners for international dignitaries and entertains those she has knighted into the Order of the Garter (that's Sir to you and I). St George's Chapel is a working chapel and many royal weddings and funerals have occurred here; the Queen Mother and Henry VIII are buried in the chapel.

For a relatively small city, Reykjavik is practically bursting with things to do. On the first day of a three-day trip, you should book a city tour; these run about 2.5 hours, which is plenty of time to catch the best of the city’s sights. You’ll see the modern Hallgrimskirkja church, the Presidential Residence at Bessastadir, the famous Fish Market, the Open-Air Museum Arbaer and the recreational valley of Laugardalur. You can pair this tour with a trip to famous Blue Lagoon Spa in the afternoon, relaxing in the spa’s blue-green waters and its geothermal steam baths. Add a spa treatment for a reinvigorating experience, and then hit the town for dinner and drinks. With over 100 bars (open until 6 am), Reykjavik is a reveler’s dream come true. If you went to bed at a reasonable hour, spend your next day touring the famous Golden Circle in an Icelandic Super Jeep. This all-day tour is a breathtaking ride past Iceland’s best-known natural wonders.

Michelangelo is considered one of Tuscany’s most famous sons, but many of the masterpieces for which is he is best known are not found in Tuscany. In fact, Michelangelo spent much of his life in what is now the Italian capital of Rome, and you can see much of his artistic legacy in Rome today. In his artistic youth, Michelangelo was held in local esteem by the ruling Medici family of Florence, but he was by no means an artistic legend by the time he arrived in Rome in 1496 at age 21. But the following year, he began work on a commissioned piece that would become one of his most celebrated sculptural works - the stunning Pieta, which now sits near the entry of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The other Michelangelo masterpieces in Vatican City are his enormous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. The ceiling was painted from 1508–1512, and the Last Judgement fresco behind the altar was painted from 1534–1541.

Day 1: City of Rome Explore Rome with a hop-on hop-off bus or a specialist walking tour that includes Ancient Rome, Baroque Rome, Jewish Rome, and art history. Don’t forget to visit the Colosseum, the Roman catacombs, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. Then end the day with a night tour of the city or a Tiber River cruise. Day 2: The Vatican Spend a day in the Vatican City. Witness the Papal Audience and skip the line to the Vatican Museums, Raphael's Rooms and La Pieta, in St Peter's Basilica. Then view Michelangelo's masterpiece at the Sistine Chapel or experience an exclusive viewing of the Vatican Museums. Day 3: Day Trips Take a food trip out of the city to Chianti and Umbria or an overnight tour of the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany. Sail across the Gulf of Naples and discover the secrets of Capri, or take a three-day excursion to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri.

Vatikanstaten har mange imponerende historiske monumenter, for eksempel Det sixtinske kapell, Peterskirken og Vatikanmuseene. Med guidede turer får du høre om hemmelighetene og historien til disse stedene, samtidig som du går forbi køen. Det sixtinske kapell i Vatikanpalasset er stedet der kardinalene samles til konklave for å velge en ny pave. Interiøret består av overdådige fresker. Kapellet er mest kjent for taket, som ble malt av Michelangelo og forestiller skapelsen. Mange andre berømte kunstnere, som Bernini, Botticelli og Raphael, har også utsmykket palasset. Vatikanmuseene inneholder pavenes personlige samlinger, og her finner du mange verker fra antikken til renessansen og videre. Kirken var en viktig del av renessansen, og her finner du malerier, skulpturer, fresker, billedvever og portretter av paver.

Bath is one of the great treasures of Britain and at just 97 miles (156 kilometers) from London, it makes a perfect day trip. Harmony and proportion were of supreme importance to the Georgian architects who determined the current shape of Bath, and they often drew inspiration from classical styles. Luckily outstanding examples were close at hand, with ancient Roman ruins recalling Bath’s age-old reputation as a spa town from which it also derived its name. Nearby Bath Abbey watches over the town center while the Royal Crescent is the largest and most impressive of Bath’s residential crescents, which unfold in elegant arcs of honey-colored stone. Bath is also noted for its literary associations; the Jane Austen Centre celebrates its most famous resident. Numerous other small but fascinating museums cover everything from fashion to astronomy, while the lush green of gorgeous English parks provide outdoor diversion.

Getting to Pompeii from Rome is a two-step process. First, you’ll need to take the train to Naples, and then change trains to the slower Circumvesuviana line that will take you to the excavation site at Pompeii. (The Circumvesuviana is in the same station as the main trains to and from Naples, so that part is easy - it’s just in a different part of the station.) From Rome-Naples on the high-speed train takes 1 hour 10 minutes, and then from Naples-Pompeii on the Circumvesuviana takes a little over a half-hour. You can catch an early train from Rome and be at the entrance to Pompeii with plenty of time to explore the site before retracing your steps for the journey home. It’s definitely an investment in time, since you’ll spend nearly four hours of your day in transit, but it beats missing out on the ruins of Pompeii completely.

Sommermånedene betyr lengre dager og mer tid til å utforske. Edinburgh tilbyr reisende nok av måter å nyte solen på med utallige muligheter innen kultur, historie og sightseeing. Historieinteresserte kan velge fotturer til klassiske severdigheter som er hundrevis av år gamle, inkludert det legendariske slottet Edinburgh Castle og beryktede Edinburgh Dungeon. Og som i de fleste store europeiske byer, er den populære hopp-på-hopp-av-bussturen en enkel og problemfri måte å få mest mulig ut av tiden på. De som foretrekker å oppleve de arkitektoniske høydepunktene, vil finne en håndfull vakre kirker, som Rosslyn Chapel og Dunfermline Abbey, som viser frem det beste av åndelig kunst og design. Reisende som ønsker å bevege seg litt lenger unna, kan velge å dra til Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, Isle of Skye eller det skotske høylandet der det kryr av pittoreske landsbygder, samtidig som de besøkende får oppleve praktfull naturlig (og historisk) skjønnhet.

The beguiling Amalfi Coast runs from Sorrento to Salerno, with jaw-dropping cliff-top panoramas, a coastline of rare beauty and a sparkling cluster of seaside towns including ravishing Positano and Amalfi. Inland there are tranquil hiking trails through ancient landscapes around the classy hilltop town of Ravello, famed for its literary and musical connections as well as its aristocratic, stucco villas. Exploring the Amalfi Coast from a base in sophisticated Rome has never been easier; options stretch from a single day’s flying visit by high-speed train to discover the charms of Amalfi and Positano or a full immersions in the region – varying from three- to nine-day packages —which can incorporate tours of cosmopolitan, chaotic Naples; the UNESCO-listed ruins at Pompeii; the Blue Grotto on the sleek island of Capri; and overnight ferry trips to Sicily to bask in the shadow of Mount Etna.

The heart of Roman civilization, which once included some 80 million inhabitants, has now been reduced to a series of important ruins in the center of the city of Rome. It is believed that Rome itself was founded in 753 B.C. by brothers Romulus and Remus, decedents of a Trojan prince. Over just a couple of centuries the city evolved into the most powerful entity on the planet, with over 20 percent of the entire Earth's estimated population under its control at one point. In its glory, this part of the Roman city was full of intricately built temples and other important buildings made of the world's finest marble and stone. However, in the 15th century, many of the ancient city's temples were scavenged of their materials and used to build a number of churches and other more modern buildings.

In and around the Cotswolds you’ll find a huge number of historically significant sites. Like the cobble-stoned streets of Oxford with its famous university and Christ Church Cathedral. Then if you travel north, you will find Blenheim Palace, where The Duke of Marlborough still lives and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. In Stratford-Upon-Avon there is traces of the great William Shakespeare everywhere and then further north along the Avon River you’ll find the 950-year-old looming towers of Warwick Castle. Finally you will reach Bath, nested in the embrace of the Cotswolds with its Georgian town, Bath Abbey, the Jane Austen Center and Royal Crescent.

Europa kan by på en overflod av opplevelser for barn, og her får både historiebøker og eventyrfigurer nytt liv. Nedenfor presenterer vi noen av de største attraksjonene for barn i fire populære land i Europa. Frankrike Disneyland Paris står nok øverst på ønskelisten til mange barn. Her finner du fem temabaserte områder, inkludert Adventureland og Pirates of the Caribbean. Omtrent 35 km nord for Paris finner dere Parc Asterix. Her hylles de populære historiene om gallerne og romerne med berg-og-dal-baner, en tømmerrenne og et spøkelsesslott. Du kan også vise barna ekte byggverk fra romertiden, for eksempel den flotte broen Pont du Gard med sine mange bueganger, og arenaene ved Nimes og Arles. Italia Ved Colosseum og Forum Romanum i Roma venter militærkledde legionærer på dere, og Explora er et interaktiv museum som er spesielt rettet mot barn. Det er ikke mye som kan måle seg med en spasertur mellom ruinene i Pompeii, eller et besøk til middelalderbyen San Gimignano, som er som tatt rett ut av et eventyr. På sommeren kan dere besøke Gardaland nord i Italia for å kjøre berg-og-dal-baner og bade i en vannpark. Hvis dere vil holde dere i nærheten av Roma, har Hydromania flust av bølgebasseng og sklier. Spania Strender, dyreparker og barnevennlige museer gjør Spania til en av de mest populære reisemålene for familier. Besøk hagene og slottet Alhambra i Granada, og utforsk byen Toledo, som er like eksentrisk og spennende som et Disney-slott. I Barcelona kan dere se Gaudis mosaikk og merkelige arkitektur. Området kan også by på strender, hager, Bubbleparc og fornøyelsesparken Portaventura. Tyskland I Tyskland lar barna seg begeistre av slottene i Rhinland og de koselige julemarkedene. Både i Berlin og Frankfurt finner du interaktive museer for barn, og Europa-Park ved Freiburg har berg-og-dal-baner og tømmerrenner med Europa-tema. Eventyrslottet Neuschwanstein i Bayern var inspirasjonen bak Disney-slottet, og middelalderbyene langs Romantische Straße kunne vært hentet rett ut av et av Grimms eventyr.

Following the route of York’s medieval City Walls is a perfect way to take in the sights. It’s free to climb the well-preserved remains and strolling along the ramparts offers panoramic views of many of the city’s top attractions. Stop off along the way to admire the magnificent gothic York Minster Cathedral, climb to the top of Clifford’s Tower and sip coffee with a view of the iconic Micklegate Bar, the monumental gateway to the city. As one of England’s oldest cities and most thriving university towns, it’s no surprise that York has a wealth of museums and there’s truly something to suit all tastes. Experience life through the ages at the innovative York Castle Museum; ponder the archaeological treasures at the Yorkshire Museum; or clamber aboard steam locomotives at the National Railway museum . York is a hugely popular shopping destination so put aside some time to hit the shops and bag some unique souvenirs.

In August, the Festival City explodes with arts events and the streets fill with a cosmopolitan melange of visitors high on a heady mix of culture and single malt. Day 1: Old Town and Edinburgh Castle Start at the castle and explore Royal Mile, then see how people lived in the 16th century in Gladstone's Land tenement. Day 2: New Town, Parks and Modern Edinburgh New Town dates from the 18th century. Graceful neoclassical buildings front squares, circuses and parks. Don't miss George Street, and Charlotte Square, where Scotland's First Minister lives. Day 3: Discovering Scotland The Scottish Highlands have a wild beauty all their own and are dotted with castles and famous lakes like Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. Scotland invented golf, and St Andrews is considered the home of golf. And you can't visit Scotland without paying homage to its most famous product: whisky. All are within day trip distance of Edinburgh.

Take a break from Rome's big-city bustle to discover the fascinating history of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. Combine the highlights of southern Italy with a trip to Naples and visit to Pompeii's haunting ruins and climb to the smoking summit of volcanic Mt. Vesuvius. Lava flows have scarred the sides of Mt. Vesuvius, and are visible on the winding road up to the summit. Climb Mt. Vesuvius and hike through soft volcanic ash and pumice as you circle the crater, with panoramic views of the picturesque Bay of Naples. You may see plumes of steam issuing from the sleeping, but still active, volcano.