Venice
The Dream City
You'll find cities claiming to be "the Venice of the North," "the Venice of Africa," "the Venice of the East"... Any city crossed by canals or with colorful buildings sitting on the water's edge wants to be associated with the image of the world's most beautiful city. But the beauty of Italy's Venice is unrivalled and the entire city is one work of art. It's also one of only a few cities in the world that can be described as truly unique, where main "streets" are canals, there are no cars or traffic jams, and the mixture of Renaissance, Byzantine, Gothic, and Baroque architecture leaves anyone wondering if this magical cityscape is real at all.
The fairytale or theatrical atmosphere is then enhanced by the carnival mask shops, romantic gondola rides, and colorful palazzos. Everywhere you turn is a postcard image of this unequalled urban masterpiece.
Nothing quite prepares you for Venice, even after seeing it a million times in tourist brochures, guidebooks, or films. You'll fall in love at first sight and will stand in awe of its architecture, piazzas, and canal views until the very last minute before you leave. You'll have the designer shops, sophisticated bars, classy restaurants, galleries, and other tempting attractions to go indoors, but nothing can prevent you from going back to standing by a canal admiring the most spectacular city ever created, over and over again.
Paris
The Beacon of Sophistication
The French mastered the art of living, and their capital showcases it with the utmost sophistication. While the Louvre may be the world's unparalleled museum and the Eiffel Tower one of the most recognized landmarks, what has made Paris the world's most visited city is precisely that French art de vivre. The real draw is the city itself, its elegant boulevards, charming cafes and markets, glamorous boutiques, fine dining, the Seine, romantic visions, and of course, the art.
Paris is pure hedonism, which is why becoming a flâneur is as important during a visit to the city as seeing any particular sight. Sit at a café or bistro for a café crème and croissant, window-shop, grab a baguette at a market, have an aperitif before dinner, and indulge in haute cuisine.
Paris is in many ways the perfect city, so who can blame it for seeming self-absorbed, self-important, perhaps even narcissistic? While many outside visitors often diagnose its confidence as a superiority complex, Paris in reality is a very open and welcoming city. Its multicultural population has given it a revived creative energy, with traditional French chefs experimenting with global cuisines, young designers following international trends but incorporating a certain French touch, and a new generation of musicians placing the French language into cosmopolitan sounds.
So a stroll through Paris is following the footsteps of artists, intellectuals, philosophers, and lovers... It is finding architectural gems, an enticing café or shop, and exquisite corners down Montmartre, Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or Bastille... In short, Paris is the beacon of sophistication and the joys of city life.
Prague
The Gem of Eastern Europe
But the hip cocktail bars and cool designer restaurants will always come in second to the stunning architecture. The city's soaring Gothic spires and towers are to be admired slowly, by strolling through the medieval lanes and crossing the marvelous Charles Bridge. You'll find that despite the onslaught of tourists, the city remains a well-preserved gem, and away from the stag parties is a classy and sophisticated city break destination.
Florence
Italy's Open-Air Museum
Michelangelo and Machiavelli, Donatello and Dante, the Renaissance and romance are felt in every corner of Florence. A showcase of art and architecture, it is one of the world's greatest artistic capitals, with statues, sculptures, historic churches and palaces adorning the streets. But this is not an austere historical city stopped in time. Alongside the art galleries and beautiful piazzas are fine boutiques, designer shops, and lively cafes.
The remarkable heritage and extraordinary art are the mains draws for its visitors, but as one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in Europe, it is the views from its bridges and street life that are likely to stand out in your memory when you leave.
You'll also want to return, since it is impossible to see all of its artistic treasures in just one visit. Take your time, visit the Duomo and the historical center followed by the Uffizi Gallery, and dedicate your remaining moments to exploring the back streets seeking out your favorite restaurant, bar, or irresistible shop.
Rome
Living La Dolce Vita
Rome is a vibrant European capital with the unique appeal of being a vast outdoor museum recalling 3000 years of the history of Western Civilization. But although its ancient monuments and art treasures are what attract most visitors, the city also dazzles with the life in its beautiful piazzas filled with charming cafés and fantastic restaurants.
Take some time away from the major cultural sites, and experience Fellini's dolce vita with the beautifully dressed locals sipping espresso, by going on a major shopping spree, or enjoying the latest nightlife hotspot.
Forget Rome's image as a way-too-relaxed or even lazy city. Its bustling local life is now as big an attraction as its wealth of mesmerizing antiquity. Trastevere, Campo dei Fiore, and Testaccio attract young and hip crowds, and there is a thriving forward-thinking artistic community. Trendy new shops, restaurants, and contemporary cultural attractions such as the MACRO museum remind you that this is a city of the present and future, as much as it is of the past.
Lisbon
The first capital of the global village
Can Lisbon be Europe's new capital of cool? The words "new" and "cool" haven't really been associated with this city since the 16th century when it ruled over the world's first global empire, extending from Brazil to India. Vasco da Gama's expedition to the East brought it cultures and a touch of the exotic that Europe had never seen before -- spices (cinnamon, pepper, ginger), foods (potatoes, pineapples, tea) and animals such as the elephant and rhinoceros that paraded by the city's waterfront.
When the glory days of trade and discovery were over, Lisbon fell victim to one of the most destructive earthquakes ever recorded, and remained dormant ever since. The kiss that awoke the "princess by the Tagus" came during Expo 98, the last world fair of the 20th century. The Expo site became a new neighborhood with futuristic architecture, riverfront warehouses were converted into clubs and restaurants, its narrow cobbled lanes were invaded by caipirinha-holding young crowds enjoying a typically-warm night out, new boutique hotels and contemporary-design hostels opened in renovated old buildings, and an energized artistic scene brought it a renewed sense of confidence.
Culture vultures have also welcomed a new world-class collection of modern art (the Berardo Museum), and a reborn Design and Fashion Museum -- an experience that may then be complemented by a visit to the shops in the designated "Design District" of Santos.
But what hasn't changed are the breathtaking views from its hills which arguably make Lisbon Europe's most scenic capital. Add its trademark mosaic pavements, dilapidated pastel-colored or tile-covered buildings, iconic turn-of-the-century trams, melancholic Fado music, and you also have one of the world's most soulful cities. In fact, Lisbon's unpolished appearance actually provides a seductive atmosphere all of its own, and prevents it from ever being just another bland old city.
The nearby Atlantic beaches and fairytale palaces are other attractions, although visitors will find plenty of reasons to simply embark on their own voyage of discovery in this deliciously-decadent city.
Vienna
Sheer Grandeur
The Austrian capital is an architectural testament to imperial grandeur. With grand baroque palaces and stately boulevards, there's a certain nostalgic regal air that can even feel a little intimidating.
It is a city where urban life is lived at a slower pace, with mandatory daily stops at the legendary coffee houses or cool modern cafes for their divine pastries and cakes. They're housed in glorious ornate buildings that once also saw many of Europe's greatest musicians pass through their doors (Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Strauss...), making Vienna the world's classical music capital. Naturally, it is also home to world-class orchestras, as well as incredible art collections.
MuseumsQuartier is one of the world's largest art complexes, displaying the more contemporary side of the city, including the MOMUK Museum of Modern Art alongside other superb museums. Also worth checking out is the Blickfang annual design exhibition that features fashion, furniture, and jewelry.
The city also offers chic shopping opportunities, and a growing number of hip bars and pumping clubs, making Vienna in the end turn out to be more inspiring than intimidating.
http://www.ucityguides.com/vienna/
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