Baza is the capital of the northern part of the Province of Granada, and festivals take place here that are unique in Spain, such as the famous Cascamorras. Archaeological remains tell us that man has lived here since prehistoric times. The well-known Dama de Baza was found in one of the Iberian burial sites in the area, and the Moorish baths are among the most complete in the country.

Baza is believed to be one of the oldest of all human settlements in Spain. The town and its surrounding area has a rich and varied architectural, historical and archaeological heritage, having been home to many different cultures down the centuries and back to pre-historic times. Its town centre was declared a Historic Centre in 2003, and in its narrow winding streets, especially around the walled medina area where the Alcazaba was built, we can see many remains of this rich and ancient past.

Approximately 20,000 people live in the municipality, situated to the north of the province of Granada. Its archaeological sites, such as the Iberian-Roman town of Basti and its ancient burial sites, in one of which was discovered the famous Dama de Baza, and its Moorish Baths all make this one of the most important archaeological and historical towns in Andalucia.

From the point of view of the environment, Baza offers a contrast of landscape which ranges from its mountain range, declared a Nature Park in 1989, to almost desert landscapes in the area known as the Altiplanicie, with an oasis of green between the two, which is La Vega. But the region is also known far and wide for its own particular type of domestic architecture, which is the house cave. Many of these ancient dwellings, which were used in the past by farmers, cattle breeders and miners, have now been adapted for rural tourism.

Baza has an important architectural, archaeological and historical heritage, the result of the many different peoples who lived in this area over the centuries, ah of whom left something of their culture behind them. Although little remains of the Alcazaba de Baza these days other than sections of wall and sorne towers, in its day it was an impregnable fortress. Its walls were built in three phases: the first in the 11th and 12th centuries, the second in the time of the Nazari occupation and the third by the Christians in the 16th century. It is located in the heart of the old town centre, dominated by the old medina.

The palacio de los Enriques is a magnificent example of a Renaissance palace designed in the style of an Italian country villa, and as such it is unique in all of Andalucia. It was ordered built by Enrique Enriquez and his wife Maria de Luna, aunt and uncle of the Catholic Monarchs. Work on the palace began in 1506, and since then it has been extensively restored. Inside can be seen sorne excellent examples of Mudejar armoury, all extensively decorated with Renaissance motifs.

The Real Posito was built in 1762, during the reign of Carlos III, and it still conserves its beautiful patio surrounded by galleries. On the main entrance we can see the royal coat-of-arms and that of the corregidor (the local chiefmagistrate) and the mayor. Inside, besides being a grain store, works of theatre are also held. This was also once the headquarters of the Economic Society of Friends of the Baza Country during the last quarter of the 18th century. The Moorish Baths in the town are particularly well preserved, dating back to the 13th century. They are a magnificent example of urban baths of the period, located beside the mosque in the old area of Marzuela (the present barrio of Santiago). A visit to the Moorish Baths is a must for any visitor to the town.

As one would expect, there are numerous churches in the town, the most outstanding being the Iglesia Mayor Colegiata. One should also see a monumental fountain situated close to the Puerta del Peso, on the royal Lorca road, which was designed in the form of lion and human heads. There are many local festivals throughout the year in the town, the most outstanding of them being the Festival of El Cascamorras. It was declared to be of National Tourist Interest in 2006, and begins every year on September 6, from six in the evening, kicking off what has become one of the most popular traditional festivals in the entire region.

By: Rudi Van Der Zalm
With more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry Rudi van der Zalm is the founder of one of Europe's most popular websites for rural holiday apartments in Granada, Spain. A wide selection of country houses and lodgings can be found at http://www.rural-tour.com

Shopping in Brussels is bound to be an exhilarating experience, as you will find yourself spoilt for choice. Brussels has over a hundred main shopping districts, each with hundreds of shops. You will not even know where to begin! Hopefully this guide will be able to help you.

You must make time to visit the Galeries Saint Hubert-Sint Hubertusgalerijen. It is the world's first mall, and here you can find books, apparel, food and even take the time go go for a movie. Other popular malls in Brussels include Westland Shopping Mall as well as Basilix Shopping Mall. Nieuwstraat, meanwhile, is Brussel's main shopping street. All along this street you can find little shops that sell clothes and many other goods. Waterloo Laan features designer stores such as Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vitton and many others. If you would like to find some Belgium lace, which is loved by people all over the world, then head for Grand' Place-Grote Markt where you will find several shops selling it.

In general, Brussels is particularly famous for two main things: its chocolate and its books. Marcolini and Wittamer are two popular chocolate shops. The Belgian chocolates, in particular, are of excellent quality. If you would prefer to sit down and have a chocolate experience, then head for Maison Renardy, which is a café featuring excellent chocolates that you can even sample before buying.

If you are a book lover, then Brussels is definitely the place for you. From comics to rare books to secondhand books, you will be sure to find a bookstore that delights you. Comic lovers should make a point to visit De Slegte and Brusel, two comic stores that keep an extensive and frequently updated collection. De Slegte also features many rare books. Other popular bookstores are Filigranes, the largest bookstore in Brussels, as well as Sterling Books. For those on a budget, be sure to head to Pele-Mele, a second-hand bookstore that will amaze you with both their prices and their large collection of books.

There are also numerous other interesting shops that you should try and visit. Beer Mania is a beer shop that stocks around 500 types of beer. Many of their beers are highly recommended. Even if you do not intend to buy anything, you will enjoy the experience that the shop offers you and can have fun browsing and sampling the beers. Senses Art Nouveau is a shop that features reproductions of famous art nouveau items. These make for excellent gifts and souvenirs.

By: Orson Johnson
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Brussels holiday accommodation Brussels holiday accommodation & Worldwide Holiday Rentals Worldwide Holiday Rentals.

Prague seldom visited by tourists until the 1989 is now one of the most popular visited destinations in Europe. Millions of people from all around the world visit the city every year - almost three and a half million in 2004, according to official figures just released by Czech Tourism. Prague was the sixth most visited city in Europe last year, with the greatest number of tourists coming from the United Kingdom.

The capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague, is situated in the very heart of Europe, on a place that has been an intersection of continental merchant routes since time immemorial. It was the seat of Czech princes and kings from the tenth century A.D. In the mid-14th century, Prague was the centre of the Holy Roman Empire and Europe's third largest city in terms of population. As part of the Hapsburg monarchy, Prague remained the capital of Czech lands, which became the strongest part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in terms of economy during the 19th century. Prague was developing as an important centre where Czech, German and Jewish cultures met and mingled. Following the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, Prague became the metropolis of the new country. It experienced a growth of its territory and a great building boom. Currently, Prague is a large city of more than one million people, spreading over almost 500 square kilometers. Following the social and economic changes in 1989, Prague enhanced its historically strong ties with other cities in Central Europe, and has gradually been gaining a continuously improving position within the continental structure of big cities. Prague therefore deserves its recognition as being a high quality city.

Because of such a big amount of tourists visiting Prague, the range of hotels in Prague is provided for all budgets from comfortable, low-cost hostels, to the most luxurious hotels in Prague. You can find fast efficient services and the largest choice of accommodation in exciting Czech Capital - Prague. Professional expertise is an absolute must when visiting the beautiful City of Prague - and elsewhere in the Czech Republic. Good translation of your personal requirements in Prague hotels is paramount for a successful and enjoyable stay.

Walking in Prague you will be impressed by a unique complex of old buildings dominated by the world-famous Old Town Hall with its Astronomical Clock and apostles, the monument to the preacher Jan Hus, the church of St. Nicholas, the Týn Church, and a number of palaces. You are in the very "historic heart" of the town.

Through one of the typical narrow Old-Town streets, full of ancient houses and palaces, cafés, shops, and galleries, we will walk towards the Charles Bridge, which was established in 1357 by the Roman emperor and Czech king Charles IV at the place of an older bridge. Here you will enjoy the unforgettable view at the beautiful panorama of the Prague Castle and the St. Vitus Cathedral. Relishing the walk along the bridge, crossing the Vltava river, you will reach the Lesser Town, situated below the Prague Castle complex. We will pass the Lesser Town Square with its representative buildings and the church of St. Nicholas, a historical building from the 18th century. Then we will walk up the famous Nerudova street all the way to the Prague Castle. At the Castle, which is surrounded by royal gardens, you will find the Old Royal Place with the Vladislav Hall, the with picturesque houses from the 16th century, the St. Vitus Cathedral from the 14th century, and the ancient royal stairway.

By: Angelina Adams
Angelina Adams is an independent writer, researching prices of different hotels in Prague, its pros and cons.

Being the epicentre of European politics, Brussels may not immediately spring to mind in the same way as Paris or Rome does when planning a short European break. Housing both the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, not to mention international organisations such as NATO, Brussels is indeed a bustling business and political hub, but it is also a historical and cultural hotspot.

Founded around the turn of the 10th century A.D., Brussels developed quickly into a commercial centre, largely due to its location on the shores of the river Senne. This, in turn, lead to the creation of some wonderful Gothic architecture such as the St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral which still stands strong after almost a millennium, and the Abbey of la Cambre which was initially founded in 1196.

But much of historic Brussels was destroyed in the 19th century to make way for a newer and more modern city. Of the remaining old city, there is La Grand Place, the central square that is beautiful and bustling in equal measures. There are many bars and chocolate shops around this area and is a great place to sit and watch the world go by.

For culture vultures, Brussels offers almost 100 different museums, some of which are grand in scale, others a little more humble. One of the more quaint museums is the Rene Magritte Museum. Situated in the former home of the famous Belgian surrealist painter, this museum can only accommodate 20 people at a time, but it provides a fascinating insight into Magritte's life, displaying original paintings as well as artifacts such as furniture and personal belongings.

Then there is the Atomium, a large iconic structure consisting of 9 steel spheres each of which are connected by long tubes. Originally built for the 1958 Brussels World Fair, it has often been referred to as the Eiffel Tower of Brussels. Visitors traverse between the large spheres via escalators, and there is a variety of fascinating exhibitions and artifacts, each providing insight into life in the 1950s.

Of course, a fundamental asset to any city is its accessibility, and Brussels doesn't disappoint. The city itself is comprehensively serviced by an underground metro system as well as buses and trams. And for international visitors, flights to Brussels from London are plentiful, taking around an hour.

Brussels is an accessible, bustling, business and political hub that also manages to retain a strong sense of history and culture. Situated only an hour from London, it is a worthwhile alternative to other clichéd European city destinations, making it the perfect place for a weekend break.

Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

By: Adam Singleton

If you are starting to plan your vacations and holidays for the summer, why not have a look at what Greece has to offer. Greece has a huge selection of beautiful destinations for your holidays and vacations, and is one of the most popular in Europe.

With the magical Greek islands scattered all around the blue waters of the Ionian and Aegean Sea, you will easily find an island to suit your exact tastes and requirements. Whether you are seeking a destination where you can simply relax and unwind, or one where you can take part in a range of activities, Greece has exactly what you need. The islands of the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian and others each have their own unique beauty and charm, and offer the perfect setting for your Greek vacations.

With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Greece is the perfect destination for those seeking to escape the cold and gray, and step into blue skies, hot sunshine and a friendly and hospitable atmosphere for which the Greeks are renowned for.

The city of Athens is the entry point to a high number of visitors to Greece. However, if you are planning on flying to Athens and from there taking a ferry boat from the port of Piraeus over to one of the stunning Greek islands, it is worth considering spending a day or two in the city, so that you can see the famous sights, stroll around Plaka and Monastiraki in the evening, and experience the city that shaped the Western world.

Though Athens is often referred to a city of pollution and overcrowding, it is actually one of immense charm and beauty - you just need to scratch the surface a little, and the real, glistening Athens will soon appear right before you.

Mainland Greece also offers a great selection of unique and beautiful destinations. From the Peloponnese in the South, to Epirus in the west, Thessaly and Pelion in the East and Macedonia in the North, wherever you plan to head to in Greece, you will find a landscape of immense natural beauty, and the perfect setting from which to experience all that Greece has to offer.

During the summer months of July and August, the temperatures are at their peak, and the heat can be pretty intense at times. August especially is an extremely busy month, and one when most Greeks also take their vacations. If you are planning to visiting Greece during the summer, it might be worthwhile visiting in either June or September, when the heat is still comfortable, and many of the popular destinations are yet to be overtaken by tourists and visitors.

Greece is a truly special country, and one that offers so much. From the ancient temples, museums and archaeological sites, to the beautiful sandy beaches, whitewashed houses and a perfect combination of blue sky and seas, you will find yourself in true paradise, and enjoying the holiday you have always been dreaming about.

By: George Kostanza
You can find a huge selection of travel guides and information about Greece and the Greek islands at http://www.aroundgreece.com

George Kostanza writes about Vacations in Greece and the Greek Islands exclusively for the Around Greece travel portal. If you plan to visit Greece, and are looking for Hotels in Greece, visit AroundGreece.

Lithuania is the fastest growing tourist destination in Europe. Summer is the best season to visit the Lithuanian cities and experience the beauty of beach life of Lithuanian seaside. Visitors can avoid the tourist rush during late spring and early autumn. If, visitors are targeting to experience the night life and restaurants only then perhaps weather does not matter.

Vilnius is one of the main Lithuanian tourist attractions. It is situated at the crossroads between Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Western Europe. Gediminas Castle and Cathedral Square are prime sights of the city. The Old Town of Vilnius also has historical significance and it is enlisted in UNESCO world heritage list in 1994. Vilnius has been targeted to transform into capital of European Culture up to 2009 which will be a great achievement for the city in modern time.

Another, tourist attractions in Lithuania is Curonian Spit and Palanga. Curonian Spit can be recognized as the major separation line between Curonian Lagoon and Baltic Sea. It has been speculating that Curonian Spit was formed approximately 5000 years ago. On the other hand, Palanga is a seaside resort town. There is myth about the name is that it is named after a beautiful priestess who had promised the god to guard her virginity for the whole life but it could not happen and after the death of her husband 'Kestutis', she returned to this place and served the god until she died. Today, visitors can get here pagan's shrine. Some famous tourist centers of Palanga are Church of Saint Marie, Zemaiciu alka, Pajurio Regional Park, Sea Bridge, the street of J. Basanavicius, Birute hill and museum of Amber.

The major pilgrimage site of Lithuania is hill of crosses. Its religious significance was recognized on September 7, 1993 when Pop John Paul II visited this place and declared it as the place of hope, peace, love and sacrifice.

Druskininkai is situated at the estuary of the Nemunas River. The USP of this place is its beautiful landscape which is amalgamation of rivers, lakes, hills and forests. It is also known as 'spa town' which was honored by czar Nicholas I of Russia in 1837. The first water park of Lithuania is also in the credit of Druskininkai. The city is also a prime centre of historical museums and galleries. 'Druskininkai poetic fall' is a very famous annual event of the city.

Thus, Lithuanian tourist attractions are perfect combination of art, culture and trendiness which have capability to attract visitors of different tastes and interests. If, someone is looking for spirituality then 'hill of crosses' may be the perfect choice. Similarly, Vilnius is offering balance between trendiness and historical legacy and everyone should have faith upon the administration as the city is targeted to be the capital city of European culture. The great Myth attached with Palanga may attract various tourists. Even, Curopian Spit has capability to proof itself as a heritage hub. Although, in spite of various environmental concerns; it is in the UNESCO's World Heritage List under cultural criteria 'V'.

By: Gagan Makin
Author is an associate editor of http://stayreslithuania.com - The website offers exclusive information of online reservation of Hotel in Lithuania. We also provide information about attraction in Lithuania, Lithuanian tourist attractions, Lithuanian tourist attractions.