If you enjoy food and drink then you can sit back and taste some of the finest Mediterranean cuisine in Croatia.  There are many affordable, good quality cafes, taverns, restaurants and bars serving the freshest local produce including delicious seafood, fine wines and fiery spirits.

Velebit National Park

Croatia also has a number of outdoor activities on offer and the rugged mountains in the north can provide some excellent hiking trails and climbing opportunities.  The Cetina Valley also offers some challenging water conditions ideal for white-water rafting.  Along the coast you can enjoy sailing, diving and kayaking in the warm, clear waters.

For wild life lovers the Velebit National Park is a haven for indigenous flora and fauna and a number of rare species of plants, animals and birds make their home here.

Croatia can offer plenty of activities and entertainments and has one of the most stunning coastlines on the Mediterranean.

• Mardi Gras is celebrated in exuberant style in towns and cities all across Lithuania.  Highlights included the procession through the centre of Vilnius Old Town.  This is a wonderful time to visit the city as there are so many parties and live musical performances on offer.
• The historic University of Vilnius is one of the oldest schools of learning in Europe and was granted its charter back in the 1600’s.  There are many fascinating historic buildings on campus and tours are run daily during the summer.
• Trakai is the ancient capital of Lithuania and is located right on the shores of the beautiful Lake Galve.  There are many places to explore in the area including a 14^th Century gothic castle.
• Lithuania has several fun seaside resorts including Palanga and Kursiu Nerija.  These offers white sandy beaches and stunning forest surroundings.
• Curonian Spit National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is located on the Baltic coastline.  This stunning national park offers natural sand dunes, thick unspoiled forests and plenty of rare flora and fauna.

You can also enjoy lots of outdoor activities in Lithuania including windsurfing, paragliding, sailing and hiking.

Food and Drink

France has a fine reputation for delicious cuisine from the tasty peasant food of the rural regions through to the glitzy Michelin star modern dining in the big cities.  Almost every town has a selection of great restaurants, cafes and bars where you can enjoy some wonderful freshly prepared food.  The French cuisine is all about regional specialties which take advantage of the best local ingredients and these include dishes such as:

• Quiche Lorraine – an open egg pie with smoked bacon and cheese
• Soufflé au Grand Marnier – a delicious light dessert with orange liqueur.
• Salade niçoise – a fresh summery salad with tuna, anchovies, boiled eggs, green beans, black olives, potatoes, tomatoes and capers.

 France is also famous for its amazing range of wines from deep fiery reds through to light fresh whites.  There are also plenty of brandies, aperitifs, ciders and beers to choose from.

There are also a number of green open spaces in Warsaw which make pleasant areas to relax on a warm afternoon.  Several free classical concerts are also held in the parks during the summer which are very popular with visitors and locals.

Although the Old Town was heavily damaged during WWII the city began a committed project to rebuilding this area in the 1970’s and it was restored to its former glory again.  This area has some wonderful examples of historic buildings and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.  Warsaw has a Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski) and this was the seat of the Polish Kings during the 17^th and 18^th centuries.  You can also visit the Wilanów Palace, which is a stunning baroque palace that was built as a summer residence for King Jan III Sobieski in the late 1600’s.

Warsaw has a number of excellent museums which celebrate Poland’s rich history and culture. The Warsaw National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie) houses an impressive art collection with galleries of Polish, European and Egyptian paintings and artifacts.

Finland also has a rich culture and there are a number of world class museums and art galleries.  There are also plenty of historic buildings to explore including traditional wooden Finnish houses. 

Finland has a number of sophisticated cities and these offer excellent shopping and dining facilities.  The Finnish are also known for their party spirit and the night life is lively and good fun.  There are also a number of excellent festivals on offer around the year which include live musical performances and vibrant celebrations.