Introduction to Copenhagen:The Danish capital is situated in the north east of the Zealand Island. The city lies on two islands, which are connected by drawbridges. Copenhagen is a low-rise city, which charming timbered houses, castles and old buildings remind of the capital's long history. However, Copenhagen is a modern city as well. Its cosmopolitan flair, sleek shops and fashionable cafes have earned it the nickname 'the Paris of the North'. Copenhagen pulsates with life. Its long pedestrian Stroget is packed with shopping, dining and theatre venues, while the Tivoli Park is a more relaxed place, perfect for long walks. The vibrant Latin Quarter is the place where you must take at least a coffee. For the more energetic, we recommend a cruise through the canals of Christianshavn, where you can spot the Little Mermaid's statue.

Helsinki - the white city of the north: The cultural and political capital of Finland, Helsinki is a lovely low-rise city. It was appointed as the seat of the government in 1812 by the Russian tsar Alexander I. Nowadays, Helsinki boasts a wealth of culture, rich museums and variety of theatres. The main square is beautifully enclosed by 19th century architecture. The city is particularly known for its green parks, spectacular sea scenery, light granite buildings and open people. Must-sees in Helsinki include the stunning Helsinki Cathedral and Finlandia Hall. In addition, for the midnight ramblers, the city offers a great choice of clubs and pubs.

Introduction to Paris: The French capital lures not only with its haut cuisine, imposing attractions and first class theatres and museums, but also with the excess of choices that it presents. Whether you take a leisurely walk along the Seine or enjoy a bottle of French wine with a hors d'oeuvre in one the chic restaurants, whether you sip an espresso in a cosy café or shop in one of the many designer stores, Paris will definitely stir your senses. Apart from the city's main attractions such as Notre-Dame, Champs-Elysees, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, Paris has variety and sights that can suit every taste. Do not miss the core of the city - 'The Latin Quarter'.

Berlin. A city on the cutting-edge: Seriously damaged during World War II and divided in two parts for over 40 years, Berlin is now the focus of a huge project for reunion. After the events of Nov. 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall, the icon of Germany's dissonance, does not exist anymore and as a result Berliners are once again united. A vivid historic city and the cultural heartbeat of Germany, Berlin today attracts visitors with its majestic buildings, superb museums and theatres, urbane dining venues, lively pubs and raucous nightclubs. The landmarks of the city, among which the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtniskirche, Potsdamer Platz, Alexander Platz and the fashionable Kurfuerstendamm Avenue, are a major tourist trap.

Introduction to Athens: Set on the Acropolis hill, ancient Athens was founded 3000 years B.C. It was named after the goddess Athena, who won the town in a competition with god Poseidon. The home-city of Socrates and Pericles is now a huge metropolis with a population of more than four million people. Contemporary Athens combines the images of modern urban sprawl with open-air markets, Byzantine churches, lively taverns and narrow streets. Steeped in mythology, yet smoggy and grimy, the capital of Athens is a sociable city packed with outdoor cafes, pedestrian alleys, parks and gardens. If you are after shopping in the afternoon, you might be surprised by the local tradition to shut down shops around 2 pm. That is for a reason; the hottest hours are a perfect time for a long break. However the city returns to life around sunset when temperatures drop and the fiesta begins.

Reykjavik - The northernmost metropolis on earth: The capital of Iceland and its most important port, Reykjavik has a population of only a hundred thousand people. No wonder, since the chilly country has a total population of 269.000. Situated on the southwest coast of Iceland, the city is enclosed by beautiful mountains. Its name comes from the Icelandic bay of smokes, due to the steam that goes up from the thermal spas nearby. Reykjavik is an excellent destination for skiing, fishing and hiking. However, it provides a number of cultural venues as well. It houses two theatre companies, a university, a symphonic orchestra and a number of museums and galleries. Dubbed by the locals the cleanest city in the world, Reykjavik might come out to be the most expensive one too.

Introduction to Dublin: Home of Guinness Stout and the birthplace of the father of modern literature James Joyce, Dublin is a special place filled with vibrant pubs, friendly people and an array of attractions to explore. The capital of Ireland houses the oldest university in the country - Trinity College. It is however particularly proud with its foremost treasures - the Book of Kells (a copiously illuminated manuscript version of the four gospels in Celto-Saxon style) and St. Patrick's cathedral. The country's busiest port, Dublin also boasts lively art and music scene. Pubs are crammed with people - both young and old who know how to have fun. Be sure to check Temple Bar, when in the city.

The Eternal city: Rome is a striking city, which origin goes back as far as 3000 years ago. It has layers of history one on top of the other and a massive concentration of monuments and antiquities. From Etruscan tombs, imperial sanctuaries and Christian sites to medieval palaces, Renaissance frescos and Baroque cathedrals - Rome has it all. It houses the largest church in the world - St. Peter and of course the Colosseum - Rome's major pride. Apart from being a world famous cultural site, Rome is a metropolis crammed with extravagant places to shop, dine and have fun. The city offers a vibrant café and night scene. An abundance of coffee shops is to be found on Piazza di Spagnia and Fontana di Trevi areas, where jaded travellers sip a coffee and enjoy the world go by.

Introduction to Amsterdam: The cosmopolitan capital of Netherlands thrives on its blend of old and new. Radical Art Installations, classic 17th century architecture, fleets of bicycles and modern minimalist cafes are among the things one remembers when you mention Amsterdam. Of course, the Red Light District and the hash bars are what most people associate with the city as well. The Dutch capital offers an astounding mixture of high and low cultures. Together with the famous Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum, you will come across the Sex Museum, the Hash Info Museum and the Torture Museum. Elegant galleries displaying Delftware porcelain and Dutch masters coexist with squatter installations. Beautiful plazas and parks witness the city's festival fiestas, which celebrate homosexual love.

Introduction to Oslo: Oslo lies in the south of Norway at the top of Oslo-fjord. Despite being a small city, Oslo has a distinct cosmopolitan flair. It is the site of the annual Nobel Prize Awards and a vibrant industrial and commercial hub. In addition, the city has traditions in the arts and culture. It is the hometown of the famed playwright Henrik Ibsen and the famous expressionist painter Edward Munch. Among the must-sees of the city are the Royal Palace and the Parliament buildings, the Vigeland Park with its granite and bronze sculptures and the Henie-Onstad Art Centre. If you are after good shopping and fine dining the waterfront area of Aker Brygge is the place for you.

Introduction to Madrid: Madrid is a huge conglomeration of diverse cultural and historic quarters that come together to create a unique, inspiring and cosmopolitan place. The Moorish district features the sophisticated cathedrals of Montserrat and Santa Barbara. The historic district introduces the Orient Palace, El Prado Museum and Villahermosa Palace. Cultural sights also abound. However, Madrid is not only a city stuffed with historic landmarks. Its vibrant life is concentrated in the capital's famous Puerto del Sol - a lively piazza and the favourite meeting point of locals and tourists. This flourishing city is home to booming businesses, chic restaurants, bars, and trendy shopping streets.

London: The cosmopolitan capital of London is a preferred urban haunt that exhilarates with mighty force. Londoners state that if you put together New York, Washington and LA, you might get a sense of what London is like. Theatres, Museums, vibrant nightlife, an array of historical landmarks, fashionable stores and dining venues, quarters steeped in history - one can barely count all the attractions, worth exploring. Not surprisingly, this immense city with more than two thousand years of history has packed up world famous venues and neighbourhoods, cultural and tourist highlights that can hardly be explored in a few days. However it is definitely worth the try.

Introduction to Sofia: Founded more than 7000 years ago, the present-day Bulgarian capital is a symbol of the eternal bond between the old and the new. Monuments reflecting the city's Thracian, Roman, Bulgarian and Ottoman history neighbour the sprouting modern buildings and facilities. The Sofia Sheraton Hotel for example lies in the vicinity of ancient Thracian ruins. Located in the southwest of the country, Sofia is dominated by the domed Alexander Nevski Memorial Church, built in the honour of the Russian losses during the country's war of liberation. Contemporary Sofia heads strongly towards market economy. It is continually developing into a business and technology centre. Cultural sites in the city abound, however if you want to escape the urban hustle and bustle try the nearby Mount Vitosha, which provides excellent skiing opportunities in the winter and fabulous views all year round.

Prague - the "City of a Hundred Spires": Prague is one of the most enthralling European capitals. Matička Praha is also a premier European destination. The city accommodates a thriving cultural life, beautiful Bohemian Baroque Architecture and vibrant nightlife. Prague is also known for its hundreds of church towers, turrets and spires. Dominated by the 10-centuries old Prague Castle, the city is home to numerous historic buildings, a well-preserved old town and charming bridges, the best known of which - Charles Bridge. Due to its strategic location, Prague has suffered many sackings and occupations all through its history. Kidnapped by communism for more than four decades, present day Prague heads strongly to progress. Its main industries are telecommunications, machine producing and beer making.

Introduction to Budapest: The Danube River divides Budapest into two unbalanced parts. The east bank Pest is almost twice as big as the hilly west bank Buda. However, the older Buda features most of the historic treasures, the government buildings and a beautiful hilltop 13th century castle. Budapest was founded as a trading centre and urbanized by the Romans. Later on, it suffered invasions by the Goths, Huns and Turks, the latter occupying the city for more than 150 years. Budapest's zenith was in late 19th and early 20th century, when together with Vienna, the city was a capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Nowadays Budapest, free from former Soviet's influences, boasts a flourishing cultural scene, strong coffee and interesting architecture.

Introduction to Warsaw: Warsaw lies in the east part of Poland on the River Vistula. Home to roughly 2 million people, Warsaw is the seventh biggest city in Europe. The capital of Poland was heavily bombed during the World War II. The city was almost totally destroyed, but the Poles managed to rebuilt it. Present day Warsaw boasts distinguished buildings such as the 234metre-high Palace of Culture, the baroque Royal Castle, the National Museum and the house of Madam Curie on 16 Freta Street. Warsaw's main avenue - the Royal Way, one of the continent's most impressive stretches of road, is sidelined with cathedrals, palaces, art-galleries and museums.

Introduction to Romania: The Romanian capital is the country's cultural and economic heartbeat. Set on the Dambovita River, Bucharest has over two million residents. The city boasts long history. Archaeological facts support the assumptions that human life existed in and around Bucharest for more than 150 000 years. The first written document of the city however dates back to 1459 and is credited to Vlad the Impaler, who by the way inspired the literary figure of the infamous Count Drakula. Present-day Bucharest's cityscape is still dominated by Communist style architecture, although modern facilities and buildings have sprouted in the recent years. The People's house is one of the major attractions - the mammoth structure and stately boulevard sprawl over 25, 000 acres.

Manchester - the "Queen City"! A thriving industrial city once and the place where the first electronic computer was built, nowadays Manchester prides itself on its lively sporting and nightlife scene. Considered the first industrial city, which drew thousands of workers to its textile factories, at present the city maintains a reputation of a vibrant technological, educational and finance centre. Its beautiful architecture is an interesting blend of old and new. Among the must-sees of the city are the Barton Arcade, Old Trafford stadium, the Urbis Museum of the Modern City and the modern Exhibition and International Convention Centre.

Glasgow overview: The ancient capital of Scotland, Stirling abounds with historical landmarks. The city attracts the visitors with a splendid combination of modernity and history. Located strategically at the easiest crossing of the Forth River, Stirling is the focal point of Scotland's communication system. Eminent architectural landmarks line the city streets, reminding of its rich history and culture. This was the place where back in 1617, King James the sixth conceived the idea for "the Free College", which was founded in 1967 and later turned into Scotland's most prominent education institution.

Milan - the capital of fashion: The fashion capital of Italy, Milan is also the commercial and industrial hub of Europe's boot. Situated in the centre of Alpine Italy, Milan is a bustling metropolis, famous for its raucous nightlife, high fashion and excellent cuisine. Home of Armani suits and Pirelli tires, Milan boasts vitality and cosmopolitism. The old city centre is dominated by the magnificent Duomo, which construction took more than 500 years to complete. Major sights in the city include the grand opera house of La Scala, the Vinciano Refectory, which houses Leonardo's masterpiece - "The Last Supper" and the shopping paradise of Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II.

Introduction to Frankfurt: Frankfurt is situated on the Main River (should not be confused with Frankfurt an der Oder). The city is a major industrial and financial hub and is furthermore internationally renowned for its trade fairs. Frankfurt is the city that gave the world Goethe and the "frankfurter" (you probably guessed the latter). The city has a rich history, which dates back to the 1st century. It has taken a significant part in German history. One of the first publishing centres in the past, nowadays Frankfurt pays great heed to Johan Gutenberg. Sadly, most of the historic edifices were destroyed during the World War II. However, there are plenty of attractions to explore. Try the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History or the House of Rothschild.

Introduction to Bonn: Beautifully located on the Rhine River, Bonn boasts efficient communications, travel system and links with the rest of Europe. After the reunification of East and West Germany, Bon had to hand over the capital priorities to Berlin. Nevertheless, this city at present has an array of attractions and points of interest to offer. After all, it had 2000 years to prepare for your visit. Bonn is the home town of the musician Ludwig von Beethoven, whose great works are celebrated at the annual music Festival. The city is furthermore a vibrant university, research and technology center. The Center for Advanced European Studies and Research is based here.

Introduction to Barcelona: Barcelona combines modern, cosmopolitan way of life with rich history, culture and a great respect to tradition. The locals still speak Catalan language, although pressure from the rest of the country is palpable. Barcelona's architectural legacy is unrivalled. The city boasts the stunningly bizarre buildings of the modernists architect Antonio Gaudi. His works are listed in the World Heritage Register. Among the most famous spots in Barcelona are the Guell Park, the Milla Home, La Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter, which is home to spectacular Gothic buildings, historic houses and cathedrals. The vibrant Rambla is also a popular tourist trap that lures visitors with a lot to see and do.

Viena - the capital of Waltzes: Vienna invokes the images of creamy pastries and Strauss waltzes, sumptuous concert halls and grandiose buildings. Once home to the powerful Habsburg dynasty, present day Vienna combines modern glass facades and noble old buildings, a wealth of cultural heritage and numerous festivals and events. The driving force of Vienna is the music. Vienna is the city, which helped boost the works of Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Brahms and Maler on the world scene. Elegantly positioned on the Danube River, Vienna boasts charming old city with lavish neo-Gothic and neo- Baroque buildings sidelining the popular Ringstrasse. The central city is dominated by the remarkable St. Stephen's Cathedral towers.

Introductin to Brussels: The capital of Belgium, Brussels is a cosmopolitan city and the seat of Europe's most important institutions including the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Brussels has more than a thousand years of history. It was first Roman, then French until finally in the 15th century, it became the seat of the Burgundy dukes and grew into a major wool-trade centre. The city's main monument is the Manneken Pis, whose large collection of clothes, donated over the past 100 years by different groups, can be seen in the nearby Maison du Roi. Other must-sees include the Grand Place - which is one of the continent's most ornate plazas, the Town hall, the Palace de Nation and the Museum of Classical Art.