| > | | | | probably the most wanton street party this side of |
| A guide to the most lively holiday destinations in | | | | Rio. You can also enjoy a more traditional culture in |
| Europe. | | | | Berlin as well. Berlin has a vibrant music scene, and |
| When looking for some of Europe's liveliest holiday | | | | within its museums and galleries you will find the |
| destinations, it is important to look at some of the | | | | Greek sculpture of the Pergamon. |
| major cities like Paris. Even 125 years ago Henry | | | | Then there is Florence, a beautiful city which is a |
| James declared "Paris is the most tolerable in hot | | | | living shrine to the Renaissance. There are Paintings, |
| weather." There is of course the big music hall, | | | | frescoes and sculptures in most of the museums |
| elegant parks and bench-lined boulevards, | | | | while you can feel Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and |
| parasol-swinging days encapsulated in Renoir's great | | | | Galileo still present. Spending time in the city of |
| painting of Montmartre and Le Bal du Moulin de la | | | | Florence will require some planning ahead; the city is |
| Galette. There are many grand projects inspired by | | | | more of an indoor city during the day however it is |
| Chirac, Mitterrand and the millennium. The | | | | the perfect time to enjoy the world-class galleries |
| Champs-Elyssees has been repaved, the Centre | | | | such as the Uffizi. |
| Pompidou revitalized museums have been refurbished, | | | | Then we have Lisbon, this city does not have a |
| such as the Guimet which is devoted to Asian art. | | | | major western European capital feel to it. Many that |
| Then there is Berlin with beaches and gardens, | | | | have visited Lisbon have commented that the city |
| followed by hot summer nights and wild festivals. | | | | feels as though time left it behind. There are |
| They say that Berlin is one of the most enticing of all | | | | antiquated shops, trams dating from the early 1900s, |
| European cities. The weather in Berlin is very | | | | grand but decaying old buildings. The prices too are |
| agreeable with temperatures well into the 80s for | | | | from a bygone era; you can buy a coffee and pastry |
| most of the summer. There are also more green | | | | in the ubiquitous pastelarias for £25 a day. Alfama |
| spaces, woods, lakes and parks than many of the | | | | and the Bairro Alto are still the biggest lure for |
| other capitals. | | | | tourists if planning on a summer holiday. Also let the |
| Of course there are crafts and events all summer | | | | locals to the waterfront and the beaches, a short |
| long but there is also the Love Parade in mid-July - | | | | train ride down the coast. |