"Once a year, go somewhere you've never been before" - The Dalai Lama


Copenhagen

Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, is located on the coastal islands of Amager and Zealand. The Öresund Bridge connects it to Malmo, which is located in southern Sweden. The royal family's Amalienborg Palace is located in Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century rococo neighborhood located in Indre By, the city's historic core. The Renaissance-style Rosenborg Castle, which houses the crown jewels and is encircled by gardens, and Christiansborg Palace

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Madrid

The capital of Spain, Madrid, is a city of wide, well-kept parks like the Buen Retiro and graceful boulevards. It is also known for its extensive collections of European art, which include pieces by Spanish masters Goya, Velázquez, and others found in the Prado Museum. The portico-lined Plaza Mayor is the center of old Hapsburg Madrid, and the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, which houses antique weapons, is close by.

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Edinburgh

Scotland's small, hilly capital is Edinburgh. It includes a beautiful Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings, as well as a medieval Old Town. Edinburgh Castle, which towers over the city, is home to the Stone of Destiny, which is used to crown Scottish royalty, along with the country's crown jewels. Holyrood Park's Arthur's Seat is a commanding hill with expansive vistas, while Calton Hill is crowned with monuments and memorials.

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Birmingham

Birmingham is a significant city in the West Midlands region of England. Its numerous buildings from the Industrial Revolution attest to its prominence as a manufacturing powerhouse in the 18th century. In addition, a system of canals runs through it, several of which branch off of Sherborne Wharf and are now flanked by hip cafes and bars. Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces can be found at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the city center.

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Frankfurt

The European Central Bank is based in Frankfurt, a significant financial center located on the banks of the Main River in central Germany. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a well-known writer, was born there; his old house is now the Goethe House Museum. It was damaged during World War II and later rebuilt, much like the rest of the city. Römerberg is a square in the rebuilt Altstadt (Old Town) where a yearly Christmas market is held.

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Barcelona

Spain's Catalonia region's cosmopolitan capital, Barcelona, is renowned for its artwork and architectural design. Throughout the city are notable modernist structures created by Antoni Gaudí, such as the fantastical Sagrada Família church. Modern art by the namesakes are on display at the Fundació Joan Miró and the Museu Picasso. MUHBA, the city history museum, houses a variety of Roman archaeological sites.

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London

With a history dating back to the Roman era, London, the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city. The striking Houses of Parliament, the recognizable "Big Ben" clock tower, and Westminster Abbey, the location of coronations for British monarchs, are located in the city's center. The London Eye observation wheel offers sweeping views of the city and the South Bank cultural complex across the Thames River.

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Rome

Italy's capital city is Rome. In addition, it serves as the center of the Metropolitan City of Rome, the capital of the Lazio region, and the unique comune known as Comune di Roma Capitale.

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Venice

The capital of the Veneto region of northern Italy, Venice, is situated on more than a hundred tiny islands in an Adriatic Sea lagoon. There are only canals there, including the Grand Canal, which is dotted with Renaissance and Gothic mansions. There are no roads in the area. The Byzantine mosaic-tiled St. Mark's Basilica and the Campanile bell tower, which provides views of the city's red roofs, are located in Piazza San Marco, the city's central plaza.

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Prague

The Vltava River splits Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, in half. Known as "the City of a Hundred Spires," it is most famous for its Old Town Square, which is the center of its historic district and is home to Gothic churches, colorful baroque buildings, and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which has an animated display every hour. Statues of Catholic saints line the pedestrian Charles Bridge, which was finished in 1402.

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Vienna

Austria's capital, Vienna, is located on the Danube River in the east of the nation. Sigmund Freud, Beethoven, and Mozart were among the residents who influenced its creative and intellectual legacy. The city is renowned for its Imperial palaces, which include Schönbrunn, the summer home of the Habsburgs. Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, and other artists' works are on display in both historic and modern buildings in the MuseumsQuartier district.

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Slovenia

Slovenia is a country in the heart of Europe that is well-known for its lakes, mountains, and ski areas. The town of Bled sits on an islet topped with a church and on the edge of a medieval castle overlooking Lake Bled, a glacial lake fed by hot springs. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, has a blend of baroque facades and native Jože Plečnik's 20th-century architecture. Plečnik's iconic Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) spans the narrow Ljubljanica River.

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Munich

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, Germany has many museums and buildings dating back hundreds of years. The city is well-known for its beer halls, which include the renowned Hofbräuhaus, which was established in 1589, and for its yearly Oktoberfest celebration. The iconic Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall) in the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town) is home to a well-liked glockenspiel show that plays music and acts out stories from the sixteenth century.

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Brussels

The capital of Belgium, the Flemish Region, and the largest municipality within the Brussels-Capital Region historically is the City of Brussels. Due to the presence of several important EU institutions in its European Quarter, the City of Brussels doubles as the administrative center of the EU.

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Krakow

Kraków, a city in southern Poland close to the Czech Republic border, is widely known for its Jewish quarter and well-preserved medieval core. The stately, expansive Rynek Glówny (market square) is the main attraction of the city's old town, which is surrounded by Planty Park and the remains of the medieval walls. St. Mary's Basilica, a Gothic church dating back to the fourteenth century, and Cloth Hall, a trading post from the Renaissance, are located on this plaza.

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Bratislava

Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, is located near the borders with Austria and Hungary along the Danube River. The Little Carpathian mountains and vineyards encircle it, and there are numerous hiking and cycling paths winding through the forest. The 18th-century old town, which is pedestrian only, is well-known for its bustling cafes and bars. The rebuilt Bratislava Castle is perched on a hill and provides views of the Danube and the old town.

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Cologne

The cultural center of the area is Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city in western Germany that spans the Rhine River. Known for its gilded medieval reliquary and expansive views of the river, the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral is a notable example of High Gothic architecture situated amidst the rebuilt old town. Roman antiquities are kept in the Romano-Germanic Museum, while 20th-century art, including numerous Picasso masterpieces, is on display at the nearby Museum Ludwig.

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Paris

The capital of France, Paris, is a significant European metropolis and a hub for fashion, art, food, and culture worldwide. The Seine River and broad boulevards intersect the city's 19th-century urban landscape. Beyond famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral from the 12th century, the city is well-known for its designer boutiques and cafe culture on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

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Porto

Northwest Portuguese seaside city Porto is well-known for its elegant bridges and port wine manufacturing. The narrow cobblestone streets of the medieval Ribeira (riverside) neighborhood meander past the homes and cafes of merchants. The São Francisco Church is renowned for its elaborate gilded carvings and opulent baroque interior. Constructed as a stock market in the 19th century, the magnificent Palácio de Bolsa was designed to astonish prospective European investors.

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Zurich

North of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland is the city of Zurich, a major banking and financial hub. Its pre-medieval past is reflected in the charming streets that border the Limmat River in the heart of Altstadt, or Old Town. Along the river, waterfront promenades such as the Limmatquai lead to the 17th-century Rathaus (town hall).

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Basel

Switzerland's northwest Rhine River city of Basel is located near its borders with Germany and France. The red sandstone Town Hall from the 16th century dominates Marktplatz, the hub of the town's medieval old town. Its Gothic cathedral from the 12th century overlooks the city and houses the tomb of Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, who lived in the 16th century. Some of Erasmus's writings are kept at the city's university.

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Reykjavik

The capital and largest city of Iceland is Reykjavik, which is located on the coast. The National and Saga museums, which chronicle Iceland's Viking past, are located there. With its revolving Perlan glass dome and striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church, the area offers expansive views of the surrounding hills and sea. The geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, located close to the village of Grindavik, is a prime example of the island's volcanic activity.

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Helsinki

Finland's southernmost city, Helsinki, is situated on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. The National Museum, which covers Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present, is one of the organizations that border the city's main avenue, Mannerheimintie. The massive Parliament House and the modern art museum Kiasma are located on Mannerheimintie as well. Overlooking a harbor is the elaborate red-brick Uspenski Cathedral.

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Stockholm

Sweden's capital city of Stockholm is spread across a vast archipelago in the Baltic Sea, encompassing 14 islands and over 50 bridges. The Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace, the Nobel Museum, which focuses on the Nobel Prize, and the 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral are located within the ochre-colored buildings and cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, the old town. Passengers are transported between the islands via ferries and sightseeing boats.

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Oslo

Norway's capital, Oslo, is located at the mouth of Oslofjord on the southern coast of the nation. It is well-known for its parks and museums. Numerous sites can be found on the Bygdøy Peninsula, such as the Viking Ship Museum featuring Viking vessels from the ninth century and the Norwegian Maritime Museum situated beside a body of water. Ski jumping hill Holmenkollbakken offers expansive fjord views. A ski museum is also there.

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Dubrovnik

The Adriatic Sea fronts the city of Dubrovnik in southern Croatia. It is well-known for its unique Old Town, which is surrounded by thick stone walls that were built in the sixteenth century. Its well-preserved structures include the Gothic Rector's Palace, which is now a history museum, the Renaissance Sponza Palace, and the baroque St. Blaise Church. The pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa), lined with stores and eateries, is paved with limestone.

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Hamburg

The Elbe River connects Hamburg, a significant port city in northern Germany, to the North Sea. In addition to having a lot of parkland, it is traversed by hundreds of canals. The Inner Alster lake is ringed by cafes and has boats dotted around it near its center. The city's main Jungfernstieg Boulevard unites the Altstadt, or old town, with the Neustadt, or new town, which is home to famous buildings like the St. Michael's Church from the 18th century.

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Marseille

Since the Greeks founded Marseille, a port city in southern France, about 600 B.C., the city has been a hub for immigration and trade. The Vieux-Port (Old Port), with its boat-lined quay and fishmongers selling their catch, is the center of the city. The church Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is Byzantine-Romanesque in style. The CMA CGM Tower by Zaha Hadid and the significant Cité Radieuse complex by Le Corbusier are examples of modern landmarks.

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Glasgow

Glasgow is a port city in Scotland's western Lowlands, situated on the Clyde River. It is well-known for its Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, which is a rich legacy of the city's prosperity from trade and shipbuilding in the 18th and 19th centuries. Nowadays, it serves as a center for national culture and is home to renowned museums, a thriving music scene, and organizations like the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, and National Theatre of Scotland.

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Malaga

You have obviously never been to Málaga if you believe the Costa del Sol is lifeless. With six new art galleries, a completely redesigned port area, and a developing art district called Soho, the city that gave the world Picasso has undergone a stunning metamorphosis. It is full of history and yet exudes a youthful vitality that proudly acknowledges its complex past. Not that Málaga was ever lacking in energy: the food culture includes both Michelin stars and tastefully tatty fish shacks, while the Spanish-to-the-core bar scene could put bags under the eyes of an insomniac madrileño.

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San Francisco

San Francisco rightfully stands out as one of the ultimate have to visit cities on any traveler's bucket list with its trend-defining food, which ranges from Michelin-starred dining to outrageous food trucks; world-renowned theater, opera, ballet, and symphony; and practically endless outdoor adventures.

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Chicago

Chicago, one of the biggest cities in the United States, is located in Illinois on Lake Michigan. Known for its audacious architectural design, the city's skyline is broken up by tall buildings like the recognizable John Hancock Center, the 1,451-foot Willis Tower (originally the Sears Tower), and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The Art Institute of Chicago, which is well-known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork, is one of the city's museums.

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New York

In addition to being the most well-known city in the world, New York is also among the best for tourists due to its distinct culture and abundance of entertainment options. As "The City That Never Sleeps" and where there is never a dull day, everyone should visit New York City at least once in their lifetime.In New York City, visitors can anticipate a high degree of activity, diversity, and endless opportunities. Fine dining, vibrant cultural events, and unparalleled shopping have always made the city the best. The city is an amazing and sometimes terrifying destination for tourists, which is why many choose to visit it by cruise ship.

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Budapest

Hungary's capital, Budapest, is divided in half by the Danube River. The hilly Buda district is connected to the level Pest area by the 19th-century Chain Bridge. To get to Buda's Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum chronicles city life from the Roman era onward, take the funicular up Castle Hill. The 13th-century Matthias Church and the expansive views from the turrets of Fishermen's Bastion are located in Trinity Square.

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Amsterdam

The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, which is renowned for its rich artistic history, intricate canal system, and charming narrow homes with gabled facades that date back to the city's Golden Age in the 17th century. The Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum with pieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, and the Stedelijk with contemporary art are all located in the Museum District. The city's character is largely shaped by cycling, and there are lots of bike paths.

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Lisbon

Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, is a hilly coastal city. Views of the Tagus Estuary, the suspension bridge, Ponte 25 de Abril, and the pastel-colored buildings of the old city are available from the imposing São Jorge Castle. Five centuries' worth of ornate ceramic tiles are on display at the National Azulejo Museum nearby. An Atlantic beach stretch stretches from Cascais to Estoril, just outside of Lisbon.

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Berlin

Germany's capital, Berlin, has been around since the 13th century. The city's Holocaust memorial and the vandalized remnants of the Berlin Wall serve as reminders of its turbulent 20th-century past. Its 18th-century Brandenburg Gate, which was divided during the Cold War, now serves as a symbol of unity. The city is renowned for its contemporary architecture and art scene, particularly for the 1963 construction of the gold-colored, swoop-roofed Berliner Philharmonie.

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