European Theme Travel, Festivals and Tours - What to do in Europe

Sure, everyone thinks of the Mediterranean Sea when they think of a watery vacation, but Europe's lakes are also quite compelling places to visit. There are lakes around which prehistoric folks mined salt, lakes with monastic islands, and lakes for bird and opera watching. Here's our survey of the most interesting lakes in Europe.

Over the years as a travel writer I've come to realize that the two groups who get the most out of Europe are the starving students and the older crowd who've been to Europe many times. What do these two groups have in common? Museums. Yes, the starving students can't pay to visit them and the folks who've been to Europe many times have seen...

October is my favorite time to visit Europe. Our list of things to do will show you why.

Suggestions for visiting the lesser known castles of Western Europe, an illustrated guide to compelling clusters of grand architecture.

Enjoy a tour of Western Europe without leaving home. These travelogues and travel books take the reader on adventures in many European countries. If you're thinking of a trip to Europe, wishing you were there, or just enjoy being an armchair traveler, there is sure to be a book here for you.

How to find a tour guide to customize your European vacation. Hire guides and create custom tours on your independent vacation to Europe.

Information for public relations professionals concerning Europe for Visitors media opportunities.

What's it like to go to language school in Europe? Here are my experiences, and they were all good ones.

Looking for Romance in your European travels? We have some suggestions.

What does it take to be a good volunteer on a project that will expand your horizons? We have some tips.

It's not easy to work the wine harvest in Europe unless you know someone. Here are some leads to volunteering and working in European vineyards.

European gardens have enjoyed quite an evolution over the times, sometimes formal, sometimes imitating the informal tangle of nature. Then there are vegetable gardens, found everywhere food can be grown. There are gardens, like Monet's at Giverny, which have achieved a fame among the traveling public for many years. Here is a list of our...

Best food markets in Europe? Our readers respond with their favorite covered and open air markets.

Gardens in Europe have become an art form. Many visitors come to Europe to visit botanical and formal gardens, even flower gardens. What's your favorite garden?See submissions

You might be surprised at what awaits you in rural Europe. Visitors attracted to Italy's Cinque Terre via a recommendation by Rick Steves often cite the rural experience that made their vacations special; they come home enamored with the local friendliness, the good food at small, local restaurants as well as the frequent home-town festivals and...

What's your favorite rural travel destination in western Europe?

Do you plan your European vacations around food? In some way, Europe's top regions for travelers are also tops in the food and wine department. In fact, it seems like foodie Europe starts with the production of wine and beer, and the enjoyment of good food and regional cooking styles follow. Below you'll find my picks for the regions of...

Tell us about your favorite culinary region in Europe. The places you'd tell foodies to go to.