1,000 Places to See Before You Die
P. Schultz
Europe
England
Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, and
Stonehenge
Windsor Castle is a thousand year old fortress that has been
turned into the largest inhabited castle in the world, being
occupied by the British Royal Family, going back to the 1300s.
Westminster Abbey is a World Heritage Site
and Gothic church. The Abbey is the traditional place of royal
coronations and is a burial site for British monarchs.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric
monument consisting of a large
circular setting of large standing
stones. It is a World Heritage Site
dating back to 3100 BC, and little is
know about how it was built.
Scotland
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has human habitation dating back to the 9th century BC, and is the
centre of military activity in Scotland. The structure sits on an extinct volcano, known
as Castle Rock. In 1621, King James VI granted land between Scotland and
Newfoundland to promote settlement, and called this land Nova Scotia – literally
meaning “New Scotland”!
Ireland
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park was the first of its kind to be established in Ireland. It is known for
its diverse ecology and beautiful landscapes. The park is unique because it is one of
the few places in Ireland that has been continuously covered by woodland since the
last glacial period, 10,000 years ago. Also, humans have lived in this area since the
Bronze Age, 4,000 years ago.
Austria
Hotel Imperial
Hotel Imperial was built in 1863 and was the original residence of the prince of
Vienna. The hotel showcases the 19th century romance of Vienna, and has been named
one of the top 75 resorts in Europe. Accommodations start at $285 USD.
France
The Beaches of Normandy, The
Louvre, and Versailles
On June 6, 1944, thousands of allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy in what is known as DDay, the turning point in WWII. Today, while the remnants of the battle are long gone, the remains of
thousands of soldiers are still present at many cemeteries, such as the one honouring Canadians at Bayeux.
The Louvre is the world’s
most visited museum, housing
works of art such as the Mona
Lisa, Madonna of the Rocks,
and Liberty Leading the People.
It has become more well known by
the book and movie, The Da Vinci
Code.
Versailles is a
magnificent palace that
flourished under King
Louis XIV. It was the
home of the French
nobility and the Royal
Court. It also has hundreds
of acres of amazing gardens.
Monaco
Monte Carlo Casino
The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most famous
casinos in the world, and it also houses an opera and ballet
house. Construction of the Monte Carlo began in 1858,
and perhaps the most odd law regarding the casino is that
citizens of Monaco are forbidden to enter the casino
(residents are not allowed to gamble) – guests have to
show their passports to get in (and the Royal Family even
has to use a side door to get into the theatre!) Dress attire
is also very strict – tuxedos and evening gowns only!
Germany
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten opened in 1897 and remains one of the world’s great grand
hotels. Located in the city of Hamburg, the hotel survived the bombing campaign
during WWII, which nearly destroyed the city. The hotel staff are known for their
impeccable service, and can even greet guests by name. Accommodations start at
$250 USD.
Greece
The Acropolis and Delphi
The Acropolis, a World Heritage Site, houses 21 buildings of
historic and cultural significance in Athens. The most
famous building is perhaps the Parthenon, a temple
dedicated to the Greek Goddess Athena, built in the 5th
century BC. It is also the best surviving structure on the
Acropolis.
Delphi is also a World Heritage Site, and was home to the
most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and was
also a major site for the worship of the god Apollo. The
Pythian Games were held every four years here, and they
were the precursor to the Olympic Games.
Italy
Pompeii, the Sistine Chapel, and
the Basilica di San Marco
Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried city located by Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that
erupted and destroyed the city in 79 AD. What is unique about Pompeii is that the
volcanic ash preserved much of the city, including actual human remains, encased in
the cement ash. The volcano remains active today.
The Sistine Chapel, located in the Vatican, is where the election of a new pope is held
when needed. It is well known for its amazing architecture and paintings, particularly
the ceiling, and was worked on by artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael.
St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice is one of the best examples of Byzantine
architecture, and was built in 1094. It has been a symbol for wealth and power,
with many of its decorations being made of real gold and bronze.
Netherlands
The Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House, now a museum, was
the home of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl
who hid from Nazi persecution and kept a diary
of her experiences during the war. She gained
international recognition after her death (in 1945)
when her diary was published. The swinging
bookcase that hid the secret door to the attic
remains, along with pictures Anne cut out and
pasted on her wall.
Spain
Leon
Leon Cathedral was built in the 10th century, and it houses one of the oldest choirs
in the country, along with 1800 square metres of stained glass windows. The Cathedral
Museum also houses over 1,500 pieces of work, including 50 Romanesque statutes
dating to the 18th century.
Czech Republic
Carlsbad
Carlsbad (the English name for Karlovy Vary) is a spa city known for its hot springs
And became a popular tourist destination in 19th century. The city has 13 main hot
Springs, along with 300 smaller springs, and a warm-water river. The city, situated in
a wooded valley, retains its 19th century architecture as well.
Romania
Count Dracula’s Castle
“Count Dracula’s Castle” is really Bran Castle, once
the home of Prince Vlad Dracula (aka Count Dracula)
in the 1400s. The castle, located in Transylvania,
housed the prince, who was known for his ruthless
cruelty, including impaling his enemies on stakes (but
not for drinking human blood, or being a vampire).
The allure of the castle and of the prince really comes
from literature, courtesy of 19th century author Bram
Stoker.
Russia
The Kremlin and Red Square
The Kremlin and Red Square, a World Heritage Site, is
the most famous city square in Russia (and in the
world) and is home to the President of Russia. The Red
Square, besides being the home of the government, was
also important for military parades, particularly during
the Soviet era. The site continues to host parades, such
as the annual Victory Day Parade, marking the defeat of
Nazi Germany in WWII.
Denmark
The Tivoli Gardens
The Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park and garden located in Copenhagen.
Best at night, the park opened in 1843, and is known for its wooden rollercoaster
(Mountain Track), which is one of the world’s oldest operating wooden roller coasters
today – it was built in 1914! It also features the world’s tallest carousel, and in the
summer has a live music series.
Iceland
The Ring Road
The Ring Road runs in a 860-mile circuit around much of the island, where the scenery
is breathtaking. This is the only major road in the country, which connects all the
inhabited parts of Iceland. A point of interest is the swimmable volcanic craters… and,
despite its name, Iceland is actually 89% ice free, and is actually a volcanic island with
a population of 316,000… less than Mississauga!
Finland
Santa’s Village
Finland’s Arctic Circle is home to Santa’s Village! Aside from meeting Santa and his
reindeer, you can actually set one foot on either side of the Arctic Circle! His workshop
post office displays 600,000 letters received every year from people all over the world,
and he actually manages to answer about a third of them! Are you a believer now?
Norway
The Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo houses Viking ships and their burial treasures. The
Vikings terrorized the coasts of Europe from 800-1050, although little was written
down about their saga. The museum, built in 1936, has three 9th century well
preserved Viking burial ships, which contained the bodies of the royal Viking
chieftains and one queen, along with their servants, pets, and artifacts.
Sweden
The Ice Hotel
The Ice Hotel in Sweden was the world’s first ice hotel built in 1990. It houses a
cinema, 45-foot vodka bar, and even a Honeymoon Suite! 4,000 tons of snow and
ice are used to build the hotel every November. All of the furniture, art, and
sculptures are made of snow and ice! Accommodations start at $100 USD, which
includes a thermal sleeping bag!
Fin!