| France for visitors | Gems of France | Crusing the waterways |

For visitors, France it's one of those rare countries where every region offers something worthwhile and distinctive. Paris represents the height of fashion, art and food -- its sense of style is so strong it intimidates some visitors, yet the city can also be remarkably comfortable and intimate. The provinces offer their own landscapes and cultures: the glittering crowds of the Cote d'Azur... [read more]

| Germany for visitors | Gems of Germany | Europe's Heartland Cruise |

Germany continues to improve as a destination after more than a decade of putting itself back together. Travelers are likely to move around the country faster, dine better, and experience new attractions like the Reichstag's glass dome. Once you stop looking at Germany strictly in terms of east and west, you'll have to observe that the country really is a lot more complex. Regions are... [read more]

| Hungary for visitors | Gems of Hungary | The Ultimate River Cruise |

Traditional cultural events, thermal baths, baroque palaces, friendly people, casinos, water sports, good food, museums, old churches and interesting rural villages are Hungary's main attractions. Almost everyone who loves European culture will love Hungary, although medievalists might be disappointed: Because of invasions and wars, little remains of Hungary's prebaroque architecture... [read more]

| Italy for visitors | Gems of Italy | Italy's Great Cities |

Italy's primary attractions include culture (modern, old and ancient), fabulous regional cuisine, historic sites, varied and stunning scenery, beaches, jagged coastline, architecture, world-class skiing, opera, watersports, elegant health and beauty spas, picturesque ruins, and shopping (for high-quality clothing, shoes, ceramics and designer goods). Those who want a diverse, fairly informal... [read more]

| Poland for visitors | Gems of Poland | Spas and Health Resorts |

In many ways, Poland is one of the success stories of the new Europe, transforming itself from a one-party state to a parliamentary democracy in a remarkably short period of time. More than a decade of non-communist governments has wrought profound changes on the country, unleashing entrepreneurial energies and widening cultural horizons in a way that pre-1989 generations... [read more]

| Russia for visitors | Gems of Russia | Crusing the waterways of Russia |

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union there has been an enormous resurgence of interest in Russia's pre-Soviet past, as well as a great deal of debate and reconsideration of the Soviet era itself. This shift has not resulted in a simple vilification of everything Soviet or a naive embrace of all that preceded it, but it has spurred an unprecedented effort to regain the ancient Russian... [read more]