European Heritage: Portugal to Scotland

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, lies in the western Iberian Peninsula aside the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it is rich in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Post-Modern constructions. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares. Read more about Lisbon, Portugal

El Ferrol is a city and a naval station located on the Atlantic coast of NW Spain. Perhaps best known for its spectacular Easter week celebrations, with the town’s maritime and military tradition reflected in a procession through the streets, and with statues of the saints being carried to the rhythm of drums and musical bands. Those interested in archaeology will be fascinated by the nearby existence of prehistoric human settlements, an abundance of burial chambers, megalithic monuments, and Petroglyphs. Read more about El Ferrol, Spain

Read more about Aviles, Spain

Bilbao, situated on the estuary of Bilboa in the north-central part of Spain, is a bustling city that epitomises the merger of the modern and the historical, as modern architects erect new buildings next to 19th-century structures. Thanks to its history and location, Bilbao is a magnificent ‘cocktail’ where architecture, tradition, character, and history, are blended to offer the visitor endless leisure and culture opportunities. With the railway connecting Bilbao and the coastal neighbourhood of Las Arenas, the city became a popular beach destination, but it was the inauguration of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao - a true masterpiece - in 1997 that gave the tourism industry its real impetus. Read more about Bilbao, Spain

Pasajes (aka Pasaia) is a fishing port and municipality on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Spain, facing the Bay of Biscay. It lies at the narrowest point where the square shape of Spain connects with France, 11 km to the NE. It is part of the autonomous community of Basque Country. Read more about Pasajes, Spain

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in SW France. It is the world’s major wine industry capital, while the historic part of the city is on the UNESCO Heritage List due to its elegant18th century architecture. It has become a sought-after destination for both tourists and cinema production crews. Read more about Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in SW France. It is the world’s major wine industry capital, while the historic part of the city is on the UNESCO Heritage List due to its elegant18th century architecture. It has become a sought-after destination for both tourists and cinema production crews. Read more about Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in SW France. It is the world’s major wine industry capital, while the historic part of the city is on the UNESCO Heritage List due to its elegant18th century architecture. It has become a sought-after destination for both tourists and cinema production crews. Read more about Bordeaux, France

The medieval walled town of Concarneau is one of the most photographed in Brittany, a popular resort and one of France's largest fishing ports. An artist's haven populated by notables such as Robert Wylie in the 1860s, the town still has a creative atmosphere as does nearby Pont-Aven, where Gauguin once had a studio. Pont-Aven is a vibrant and charming destination peppered with art galleries, shops and restaurants. Read more about Pont-Aven (Concarneau), France

Read more about Hugh Town(Isles of Scilly), Great Britain

This capital and largest city of Ireland is situated on the mid-east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Dublin has more green spaces per square kilometre than any other European capital city, with 97% of city residents living within 300 meters of a park area. But Dublin’s greatest draw remains Dubliners themselves, both native-born and blown in. Read more about Dublin, Ireland

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, and is currently experiencing a successful tourist boom. One of the most visited cities in the UK, Belfast has plenty of attractions and is a good base from which to visit virtually anywhere else in the North. In the city centre concentrate on the glories resulting from the Industrial Revolution – grandiose architecture and magnificent Victorian pubs – and the rejuvenated area from Ann Street to Donegall Street now known as the Cathedral quarter. Read more about Belfast, Great Britain

The archipelago of St Kilda, the remotest and westernmost part of the British Isles, lies 64 km west of Scotland's Outer Hebrides. The largest island is Hirta (670 hectares), with its 350m sea cliffs the highest in the UK. Once home to a Norse settlement, today, while a small area is leased to the Ministry of Defence as a tracking station, it has received many national and international designations in recognition of its outstanding natural and cultural heritage. Read more about St Kilda, Great Britain

The largest town on Skye, located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, Portree’s harbor is fringed by steep cliffs. The town's Gaelic heritage is evident in the local attractions that include the run of striking, brightly painted buildings down the south-west as well as the delightful natural stone and whitewashed buildings to the north. In addition the mountainous terrain provides breathtaking vistas from nearly every destination. Read more about Portree, Great Britain

Stornoway is an attractive town and the administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The shape of the town is defined by the harbour, and is home to a beautiful, rugged landscape of rolling grassy hills and crinkly inlets of the sea. Take a leisurely stroll round the harbour and see everything from the ferries to cargo boats and small visiting yachts, as the harbour is definitely an asset to the town. Read more about Stornoway, Great Britain

Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 160 km off the north coast of mainland Great Britain. Open to shipping in all weathers, it operates around-the-clock. Lerwick has strong ties with Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, and this is reflected in the street names of the port. Read more about Lerwick, Great Britain

The largest town in the Orkney Islands, known for its historic cathedral, St Magnus Cathedral, and traditional stone houses. Kirkwall is rich in Viking heritage and coastal beauty. Read more about Kirkwall, Great Britain

Read more about Aberdeen, Great Britain

Scotland's showcase capital of Edinburgh has a magnificent geographical location, perched on a series of extinct volcanos and rocky crags above the flatlands. The setting is wonderfully striking, as the modern city is often said to be built on seven hills. Both a historic and modern city, this metropolis is home to the largest arts festival in the world. Read more about Edinburgh, Great Britain

Scotland's showcase capital of Edinburgh has a magnificent geographical location, perched on a series of extinct volcanos and rocky crags above the flatlands. The setting is wonderfully striking, as the modern city is often said to be built on seven hills. Both a historic and modern city, this metropolis is home to the largest arts festival in the world. Read more about Edinburgh, Great Britain