Avoiding The Crowds In Europe This Summer

Lake Bled is a wonderful spot in Slovenia, not far from the pretty capital of Ljubljana. Take a stroll around the lake or hire a small boat to take you to a pretty island in the middle of the lake. Don't forget to get one of the famous Lake Bled creme cakes and a coffee.

London can get a little crowded in summer, so we suggest a quick trip up the road to Liverpoool. It's a great city for fans of the Beatles, as well as for soccer fanatics and folks looking to explore a great English city that's very much on the rise. The Tate Liverpool is a tremendous museum in town.

The Azores are a tremendous set of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, making it an easy jaunt from North America. The hiking is out of this world, while the fresh seafood and steaks are a rewarding way to end the day.

Cesky Krumlov is a fairy tale city in the Czech Republic; filled with colourful streets and pretty churches, as well as a rushing river. Wander about the town and try some local treats, or sip on a cold glass of Czech beer at an outdoor cafe and watch the world go by.

The Lake Geneva/Lausanne area is one of the gems of Switzerland; a marvellous area for cycling and wine-tasting. The town of Lausanne is on a beautiful part of the lake, where you can try a boat ride under the shadow of towering mountains. The Olympic Museum is definitely worth a visit.

It's not a cheap city for visitors, but the waterways and majestic buildings of Old Town Stockholm make it one of the most treasured cities in Europe.

The Emilia-Romagna area of Italy is a wonderful place to explore hilltop towns and taste amazing food, including Spaghetti Bolognese, Parma Ham and aged Balsamic Vinegar from Modena. The area also is home to a Ferrari museum and beautiful, historic cities, including Bologna. It's an easy trip from either Milan or Florence.

Galway is a handsome university city in western Ireland, with great shopping and lively streets filled with terrific restaurants and pubs. One of the most historic pubs is The King's Head. The g Hotel and Spa is a stylish place to lay your head.

Krakow, Poland has one of the most striking city centres in Europe, with tons of historic buildings and beautiful plazas for strolling and sightseeing. It's also one of Europe's best bargains.

Burgau is a tremendous town in the western Algarve region of Portugal. There's terriific hiking all around the town, ,and a great beach. Local seafood is tremendous, and you're not far from the tourist city of Lagos, where you'll find great shopping and amazing sea kayaking spots.

Passau is a lovely village on the Danube River in Germany, near the Austrian border. There's a hilltop fortress overlooking the city, which is studded with beautiful Baroque architecture.