Europe Overview

Some things never change. Aspiring writers still spin romances in Parisian garrets; a glass of sangria at twilight on the Plaza Mayor tastes as sweet as ever; and iconic treasures, from the onion domes of St. Basil’s cathedral to the behemoth slabs of Stonehenge, continue to inspire awe. But against this ancient backdrop, a freshly costumed continent takes the stage. As the European Union grows from a small clique of nations trading coal and steel to a 27-member commonwealth with a parliament and a central bank, Eastern and Western Europe find themselves more closely connected than ever before. Ease of travel between the two make it seem like the Continent is simultaneously shrinking and expanding. With improved transport links increasing the range of possible itineraries, determining the must-see destinations of 21st-century Europe has become even more difficult.

While Prague and Barcelona may have been the hot spots a few years ago, emerging cities like Kraków and Stockholm are poised to inherit the tourist money train. Newly minted cultural meccas like Bilbao’s Guggenheim and London’s Tate Modern have joined the ranks of timeless galleries like the Louvre and the Hermitage , while a constant influx of students and DJs keep Europe’s nightlife dependably hot. Whether it’s Dublin’s pubs, Lyon’s upscale bistros, Sweden’s frozen north country, Amsterdam’s canals, or Croatia’s dazzling beaches that call to you, Let’s Go: Europe 2009 will help to keep you informed and on-budget.

• Passport. Required for all non-EU citizens traveling in Europe.
• Visa. Not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US for stays shorter than 90 days in a 6-month period in most European countries.
• Work Permit. Required for all non-EU citizens planning to work in any European country.
• Vaccinations. Visitors to Europe should be up to date on vaccines, especially for diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and mumps. Visitors to East­ern Europe should also be vaccinated for measles, rabies, and typhoid.

• Tackling Europe

Anyone who tells you that there is one “best way” to see Europe should be politely ignored. This travel guide is designed to facilitate all varieties of travel, from a few days in Paris ...more

• When To Go

While summer sees the most tourist traffic in Europe, the best mix of value and accessibility comes in late spring and early fall. To the delight of skiing and ice-climbing enthusiasts, traveling during ...more

• Museums

Europe has kept millennia worth of artistic masterpieces close to home in strongholds like the Louvre, the Prado, and the Vatican Museums. European museums do not merely house art, however. They also ...more

• Architecture

European architecture is a huge part of the continent’s appeal. Royal lines from the early Welsh dynasties and Greek ruling families to the Bourbons, Hapsburgs, and Romanovs have all been outlasted ...more

• Festivals