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Place your mouse over a destination and learn more about many of the countries pictured.  Feel free to contact us for further information about each destination.  
Norway Norway is a ruggedly beautiful country of mountains, fjords and glaciers. The 'Land of the Midnight Sun' has delightfully long summer days, pleasantly low-key cities, unspoiled fishing villages and rich historic sites that include Viking ships and medieval stave churches. Norway prizes its stunning natural wonders and retains a robust frontier character unusual in Europe. It's not all frozen tundra, either. The temperate south includes rolling farmlands, enchanted forests and sunny beaches as well as the dramatic Western Fjords. Sweden Since the devaluation of the Swedish crown, Sweden has become quite affordable, and the simple joys of fresh air, landscape and culture are free. Its forests are starkly beautiful, its lakes giant. Stockholm, the country's capital, is a progressive city with pockets that maintain a village feel. Gothenburg and Malmö also beckon with urban delights. Away from the cities, Sweden takes in vast areas of scenic coastline and idyllic islands. The wilderness areas of Norrland have the legendary midnight sun in summer, Arctic Scandinavia's highest mountain and marvelous hiking trails. Finland Finland is for the most part a quiet land, where a ramshackle cottage by a lake and a properly stoked sauna is all that's required for happiness. It's a vast expanse of forests and lakes and more forests, punctuated by towns full of people who are genuinely surprised to see tourists. During the months of the midnight sun, coastal regions are a sailing and fishing paradise. Inland, the largest unspoilt wilderness in Europe attracts thousands of trekkers every year. In the south, the capital Helsinki is a paradise for lovers of art and architecture. Russia United Kingdom From Stonehenge and Tower Bridge to Eton and Oxford, England is loaded with cherished icons of a past era. But it also does modernity with a confidence and flamboyance left over from its days in the never-setting sun. Fashion, fine dining, clubbing, shopping - England's rates with the world's best. April to September are undoubtedly the best months, and this is, unsurprisingly, when most sights are open, and when most people visit. However, July and August are the busiest months, and best avoided if at all possible. The crowds on the coast, at the national parks, in London and popular towns like Oxford, Bath and York have to be seen to be believed. England can be extremely expensive and London in particular can be a big drain on your funds. While in London you will need a budget you can live with. Vacationing here can be super pricey, but once you get out of the city, the costs will drop, particularly if you have transportation taken care of and if you cook your own meals. Ireland Ireland’s people seem put on earth expressly to restore faith in humanity and the weather may sometimes give you the impression that you're swimming through an airborne ocean, but the truly luminous greens, luxuriant wildflowers, and afternoons spent holed up in wildly fun pubs will more than console you for the webbed feet you'll need to grow. If you go to Ireland in July or August, you can expect reasonably warm weather, longer days and a lively menu of festivals. However, this is peak season, which presents some challenges if you're wanting a bit of solitude. Spring and autumn can also be delightful seasons, with smaller crowds of tourists. Winter weather can be downright inhospitable, but Ireland (the west coast in particular) does look beautiful in the rain, and there's almost always a pub nearby to duck into. However, in many Irish towns restaurants and Bed & Breakfasts close down around October and don't reopen until Easter. Plan well in advance, and this will be an affordable and fun-filled vacation you’ll remember for years to come! Spain Once away from the holiday costas, you could only be in Spain. In the cities, narrow twisting old streets suddenly open out to views of daring modern architecture, while spit-and-sawdust bars serving wine from the barrel rub shoulders with blaring, glaring discos. Travel is easy, accommodation plentiful, the climate benign, the people relaxed, the beaches long and sandy, the food and drink easy to come by and full of regional variety. More than 50 million foreigners a year visit Spain, yet you can also travel for days and hear nothing but Spanish. Spain can be enjoyable any time of year. The ideal months to visit are May, June and September (plus April and October in the south). Portugal Portugal has a rich seafaring past, superb beach resorts, wistful towns and a landscape wreathed in olive groves, vineyards and wheat fields. Littered with UNESCO World Heritage sites and graced by one of Europe's most relaxed and attractive capitals, it also remains refreshingly affordable. Savoring life slowly is a Portuguese passion, and much of the best is humble - traditional folk festivals; simple, honest food drowning in olive oil; music that pulls at the heart strings, recalling past love and glories; and markets overflowing with fish, fruit and flowers. France From swimming in the blue waters of the Riviera to skiing the slopes of the Alps, France’s geography certainly has its extremes. There are plenty of titillating activities to take up your time in any part of this diverse country, so become an adventurer and try it all! The French are a festive bunch, with many cities hosting music, dance, theatre, cinema or art events each year. Rural villages hold fairs and fetes, which celebrate everything from local saints to agricultural progress. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in Provence is the venue for a colourful gypsy festival in late May honoring Sarah, patron saint of the gypsies. Enthusiastic singing and dancing characterize this extravaganza. Paris stimulates the senses, demanding to be seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelled. From romance along the Seine to landscapes on bus-sized canvases to the cafes, Paris is the essence of all things French. Italy Italy’s surreal light and lavish landscapes are made for romance; three thousand years of history, culture and cuisine seduces just about everyone. You can visit Roman ruins, gawk at Renaissance art, stay in tiny medieval hill towns, go skiing in the Alps, explore the canals of Venice and gaze at beautiful churches. Naturally you can also indulge in the pleasures of la dolce vita: good food, good wine and improving your wardrobe. Of course Venice is a must see; hop on a gondola and explore this historic area. Venice is among the world's most urban cities: a crowded collection of houses, palazzi, churches, squares, and other manmade structures dominated by stone, brick, and stucco walls. Few countries offer such variety and few visitors leave without an ardent desire to return. Sicily The island of Sicily is a place of contrasts, from the crumbling grandeur of its capital, Palermo, to the Greek ruins at Syracuse, volatile Mt Etna and the Aeolian Islands. It's home to touristy Lipari, jet-set Panarea, rugged Vulcano and spectacularly spouting Stromboli. Squatting strategically in the Mediterranean, and its largest island, Sicily has attracted waves of invaders and colonizers, leaving a historical detritus that includes Greek temples, Roman ruins, Norman churches and castles, and Arab and Byzantine domes. Sardinia Sardinia has some fascinating medieval sections and beautiful beaches. There's also the magnificent and relatively unspoiled Costa Verde coastline, the beaches and grottoes around the tourist enclave of Alghero, and the trekking and traditional culture offered in Nuoro Province. Sardinia has been colonized and invaded by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Pisans, Genoese and Spaniards. Through these ravages, the locals (known as the Sardi) have retained their identity and singularity, remaining strangely insular people. Corsica Tunisia Algeria Denmark The smallest and most southern of the Scandinavian countries, Denmark offers an interesting mix of lively cities and rural countryside. Ancient castles, ring forts, jazz festivals, the sleekest modern design you'll ever see and the people who invented Lego - who could ask for more? Danish Vikings once took to the seas and ravaged half of Europe, but these days they've filed down their horns and forged a society that stands as a benchmark of civilization, with progressive policies, widespread tolerance and a liberal social-welfare system. Germany Germany wears its riches well: elegant big-city charm, small picture-postcard towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a wealth of art and culture and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts of forest, delightful castles and fine wine and beer are all there for the savoring. Deep in the heart of Europe, Germany has had a seminal impact on Continental history. From Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire to Otto von Bismarck's German Reich, Nazism and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, no other nation has molded Europe the way Germany has - for better or worse. Netherlands Belgium If Belgium's spotlight on the European stage is a little dim, it's only because its people are rarely boastful. This slow-burning country has more history, art, food and architecture packed into its tiny self than many of its bigger, louder neighbors. A rich and bubbling vat of beer, chocolate, oil paint and bureaucrats, Belgium gives off the heady pong of the bourgeoisie. But stir the pot a little and you'll find an 'artificial state' roughly made up of two parts Germanic Flemings to one part Celtic-Latin Walloons Switzerland Switzerland may be neutral but it is certainly not flavorless. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes have enough zing to reinvigorate the most jaded traveler. Goethe summed up Switzerland succinctly as a combination of 'the colossal and the well-ordered'. You can be sure that your trains and letters will be on time. The tidy, just-so precision of Swiss towns is tempered by the lofty splendor of the landscapes that surround them. Poland Czeck Republic Austria Slovakia Hungary Slovenia Croatia Bosnia/Herzgovina Yugoslavia Albania Greece A plethora of sights, sounds and wonders, Greece is best described by way of destination. With so many variables in climate, culture and architecture, it’s no wonder Greece will keep beckoning you back to an era of historic proportions. Keep reading…there is bound to be an island, ruin or a beautiful grove of fruit waiting for you! Riddled with mythology, grubby with grime, Athens is an affable city enlivened by outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets, parks, gardens and urban eccentrics. Modern tourists have the ancient Athenians to thank for the ease of getting to major landmarks around the city. Old Athens was miniscule compared to today's sprawling metropolis, which means that all the must-sees are conveniently huddled together in a fairly manageable rectangle. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey Bulgaria Moldovia Ukraine Belarus Lithuania Latvia Estonia
Click the thumbnail pictures for a larger view!
Amsterdam
Holland Tulips
The Alps
Le arc d'triumph
Nikolaos
The Greek Parthenon
Peruvian villagers
Venice
Spanish Castle
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Chile From salty-desert top to glacier-crowded bottom, Chile is a awesome reminder of nature's beauty and power. This narrow trickle of a country is jammed with enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanos to keep adventure nuts slavering for a lifetime. Argentina Despite Argentina's recent economic woes, its pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavored sophistication, and a passionate culture - are still as tempting as ever. The silver lining to the financial cloud is that it's now one of the best travel bargains going around. This is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local. Uragauy Rio De Janeiro This cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city) is one of the most densely populated places on earth. The thick brew of 7 million Cariocas - as the inhabitants are called - thrive on dance, drink, beach, sport and sun. The international tourist crowd takes advantage of Rio's glitzy side - there are countless opportunities to be decadent in this fast-paced environment. But Rio also has much to offer the budget traveler. There are cheap hotels and restaurants aplenty, and the beach is a free and flowing entertainment zone. Rio is divided into a Zona Norte (North Zone) and a Zona Sul (South Zone) by the Serra da Carioca, steep mountains that are part of the Parque Nacional da Tijuca. Most industry is in the Zona Norte, and the beaches are in the Zona Sul. Heat freaks will be happy all year round in Rio; the weather never really dips below 68°F in the winter, although it can be rainy, especially in summer. Carnaval is often a more important consideration than weather for travelers deciding when to come to Rio. The city is in full party mode, and the excitement on the streets is unsurpassable. French Guyana Paraguay Bolivia Bolivia may be one of the poorest countries in South America, but its cultural wealth, the awe-inspiring Andean landscapes and the remnants of mysterious ancient civilizations make it a rich and exciting destination for those looking for more than postcards. Machu Picchu, Peru If you are looking for one of the most awe inspiring places in the world, you can’t miss a visit to this ancient ruin located on the west coast of South America. Peru boasts a desert strip running the length of its Pacific Ocean border, a vast interior Amazonian jungle in the east and is home to more than 23 million people, largely descendents of Spanish settlers and native Inca and pre-Inca cultures. Macchu Picchu, which means Ecuador Colombia Venezuala Suriname Guyana
The Phillipines The 7000-odd islands that comprise the Philippines are the forgotten islands of southeast Asia. Off the main overland route and with a recent history of martial law and endemic corruption, the country has struggled to attract tourists in similar numbers to many of its southeast Asian neighbors. Indonesia The floating emerald islands of the Indonesian archipelago have for centuries lured everyone from missionaries to pirates, mining companies and backpackers to their sandalwood and spice breezes, their Bali Hai lifestyle and their magnificent beaches, mountains and volcanoes. However, the myth of paradise is often marred by deep racial divides, religious warring, high-handed autocracy, government corruption, economic mis-managment and natural disasters. The latest rounds of violence have made Indonesia a problematic destination for Western travelers. Papua/New Guinea Papua New Guinea is a raw land, remarkably untamed and as variegated as swamp and jagged limestone; mud and moss forest; suffocating heat and Highland chill; plumed, pearl-shelled villagers and prosaic hill people; tiny tree kangaroos and enormous Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterflies. Take some time to visit Lake Kutubu, which is embellished by some of the Highlands' most stunning scenery, and the surrounding country is home to friendly people who still live a largely traditional life. You can swim in the lake, visit the friendly local villages, or just sit back and soak up the serenity. Soloman Islands Those lured to the Solomons by the promise of extraordinary natural features will not be disappointed; the islands have a well-deserved reputation as possibly the world's best destination for scuba divers, snorkelers and fishing freaks. Make a point of visiting Mataniko Falls, as spectacular double-sided falls thunder into a cave full of stalagmites and swooping swallows and bats. During WWII, the cave was a hide-out for Japanese soldiers trying to avoid capture by the Americans. The trail on the way is often steep, and you might do better with a guide after Tuvaruhu. Fiji Islands There are 320 islands in the Fiji Group of which only four are of significant size. The largest (and also the most populous) is Viti Levu, followed in size by Vanua Levu, Kadavu and Taveuni. The vast majority of Fiji's land mass is volcanic in origin, with some reef-formed limestone and coastal sedimentary formations. The major islands are generally mountainous in the interior which creates a rainy shadow effect. The western sides of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are drier and less thickly vegetated than the eastern areas. The difference in the rainfall between the two sides is striking. Thus on any given day, your chances of getting wet are much greater on any of the larger islands' eastern sides, rather than in the west. Plan your vacations accordingly. Fiji is the land of relaxation and absolutely no stress. From the mainland island of Viti Levu to the surrounding islands you won't be able to escape the friendliness of the people or the sheer natural beauty - swaying palms and warm, clear water. New Zealand New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant forest reserves, long, deserted beaches and a variety of fauna, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores. Any number of vigorous outdoor activities - tramping (hiking), skiing, rafting and, of course, that perennial favorite, bungy jumping - await the adventurous. You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whale-watch or fish for fattened trout in the many streams. Austrailia Tasmania Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is formed of more than 2600 individual reefs and 300 coral cays and islands. It spreads for 2200km along Queensland's east coast and includes marine habitat from Cape York in the north to Bundaberg in the south. It is the largest and most diverse coral reef system in the world - a massive wilderness of islands, sandbanks and reefs. Just 32 miles off the Discovery Coast lies a string of coral cays and reefs called Capricornia. It comprises of 22 reefs, 13 of them with islands, which form the Capricornia/Bunker Group. The quaintly named Seventeen Seventy (in honor of Captain James Cook's first landing on Queensland shores in 1770) and sister town to Agnes Water, is situated on Round Hill Creek in the lee of the peninsula. A mecca for fishing, mud-crabbing and water sports, it is also the departure point for the Great Barrier Reef which is only an hour and a half away by boat. Here we enjoy a similar climate to Hawaii with over 280 days of sunshine each year; warm, dry winter and summer temperatures rarely exceed 85F.
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