The 2018 EU-China Tourism Year is an excellent opportunity to enhance the visibility of Europe as a travel destination in China, with a particular focus on the EU public and private tourism sector. Therefore it is crucial that all communications related to the initiative are properly referred and framed within the larger context. Please find below the relevant resources for media and PR outlets, and other communication campaigns.
EU – China Tourism Year
Media Library
The ECTY Christmas Market was held at the Guangdong Hall in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, from 30 November to 2 December 2018. The three-day consumer event brought European Christmas traditions to China, offering not only typical seasonal products, but also travel information and various activities for children. The ECTY Christmas Market welcomed more than 25,000 visitors.
The ECTY Pavilion at CITM hosted an 11 destinations and SMEs from 9 different European countries in Shanghai between 16-18 November 2018. In addition, Head of Tourism Unit at the European Commission, Mrs Anna Athanasopoulou presented ECTY during the opening ceremony.
As an official partner of 2018 ECTY, GTEF presented the European Union as an Official Partner Region to promote the EU’s immense collective tourism offerings to China. The European Travel Commission (ETC) hosted and coordinated the participation of destinations from 10 countries in the ECTY Pavilion. The GTEF took place in Macau between 23-24 October 2018.
Between October 2018 and March 2019, four official ECTY Ambassadors were nominated: Chinese actors Mary Ma, Timmy Xu, Elvis Han and singer Mao Buyi. The Ambassadors embarked on a Eurotrip and starred in a series of promotional videos, acting as advocates for ECTY and “Destination Europe”. Each one of the Ambassadors followed a different transnational itinerary, focusing on a specific theme such as art and culture, food and wine, natural beauty, fashion and design.
The ECTY Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) programme allowed Chinese digital influencers to immerse themselves in “Destination Europe” in order to create and share compelling and engaging stories about pan-European travel experiences on their channels. 10 KOLs were sent on individually tailored trips to a total of 21 countries between May 2018 and March 2019.
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- Jiajia Zhu in Croatia
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- Zhongxing Jia in Italy
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- Harry Li in Hungary
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- Nuan Wen in Lithuania
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- Vivienne Shi in Austria
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- Jin Zhang in Portugal
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- Tina Yu in Slovenia
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- Iris Cai in Spain
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- Jinpeng Zhang in Belgium
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- Abby Lin in Austria
The Chinese pillar was built on the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May. More than 30 major sites throughout China participated, including the Great Wall and the Imperial Summer Palace.
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- Henan Jiaozuo Qingtian River Scenic Area
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- Jiangsu Jinji Lake
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- Yangtze River Three Gorge Cruise, Hubei
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- Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai
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- Temple of Yichang, Quyuan
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- Canton Tower, Guangzhou
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- Hu Bei Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower
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- Chinese pillar EU-China Light Bridge
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- Chinese pillar EU-China Light Bridge
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- Daguanlou, Kunming, Yunnan Province
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- Canton Tower, Guangzhou
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- Chinese pillar EU-China Light Bridge
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- Longwan Camping Park Beijing
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- Shanxi-HuaQing Palace
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- Jiangsu Jinji Lake
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- Hu Bei Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower
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- Macao
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- Yangtze River Three Gorge Cruise, Hubei
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- Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area
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- OCT East, Shenzhen
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- Hu Bei Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower
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- Hu Bei Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower
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- Beijing Summer Palace
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- Hu Bei Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower
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- Shenzhen Happy Valley, Guangdong
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- Hu Bei Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower
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- Hometown of Quyuan, Hubei
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- Beijing Badaling Great Wall
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- Yichang Tian Ran Tower
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- Suzhou Lingering Garden, Jiangsu
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- People’s Republic of China Sea Level Zero Point Qingdao
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- Beijing Water Cube
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- Beijing Water Cube
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- Hangzhou Train Station
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- Jinshitan Resort, Liaoning
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- Light Bridge Macao
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- Tianjin Binhai Aircraft Carrier
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- Tianjin Panshan
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- The Window of the World, Shenzhen, Guangdong
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- Chinese pillar EU-China Light Bridge
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- Tianjin Panshan
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- Hu Bei Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower
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- Beijing Olympic Tower
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- Taierzhuang Ancient City, Shandong
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- Yichang Tian Ran Tower
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- Shenzhen Happy Valley, Guangdong
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- Shenzhen Happy Valley, Guangdong
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- The Window of the World, Shenzhen, Guangdong
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- Hangzhou Train Station
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- Suzhou Tiger Hill Jianchi
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- Panoramic view of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, Beijing
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- Yangtze River Three Gorge Cruise, Hubei
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- Dalian Laohutan Ocean Park, Liaoning Province
ITB China 2018 was designated an official partner and flagship event of the EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY) and took place from 16 to 18 May in Shanghai. Europe had a strong presence at the three-day business to business travel trade fair with a dedicated ECTY pavilion hosting more than 40 European destinations and operators.
Europe and the EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY) were designated as official event partners of the 2018 edition of the China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market (COTTM). The three-day business to business travel trade fair took place from 16 to 18 April in Beijing.
More than 50 landmarks, iconic sites and venues across Europe turned a shade of red on 2-3 March 2018 to build a symbolic bridge of light to China honouring the EU-China Tourism Year.
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- AUSTRIA – Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Wattens – ©Swarovski Kristallwelten
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- BELGIUM – Durbuy – © Lilian Muller
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- Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium – ©European Commission
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- BELGIUM – Caves of Han, Han-sur-Lesse – ©Lilian Muller
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- CROATIA – Trsat Castle, Rijeka – © Rijeka Tourist Board
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- CROATIA – Zagreb Fountains, Zagreb – © Zagreb Tourist Board
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- DENMARK – The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen
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- FRANCE – Palais des Ducs, Dijon – © Dijon Tourism Office – Yann Glauser
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- FRANCE – Place Stanislas, Nancy – © Ville de Nancy
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- GERMANY – Klopp Castle, Bingen – © Tourist Information Bingen
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- HUNGARY – Hotel Gellert, Budapest – © Márton Kovács
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- HUNGARY – Müpa, Budapest – © Gábor Valuska
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- IRELAND – Spike Island, Cork
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- ITALY – Roman Forum, Aquileia
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- IRELAND – Powerscourt House and Gardens, Wicklow
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- ITALY – Palazzo Madama, Torino – © Giorgio Perottino
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- ITALY – Tree of Life
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- ITALY – Teatro Massimo, Palermo – © Rosellina Garbo
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- MALTA – Porte des Bombes, Floriana – © Malta Tourism Authority
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- ROMANIA – National Theater, Bucharest – © Dan Mihai Bălănescu
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- SERBIA – Ada Bridge, Belgrade
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- SLOVAKIA – Old Castle, Banská Štiavnica – © Jan Petrik
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- SPAIN – Saint Anthony’s Church, Aranjuez -© Miguel Portillo
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- UNITED KINGDOM – City Hall, Belfast – © Belfast City Council
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- UNITED KINGDOM – Titanic Belfast, Belfast – © Belfast City Council
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- UNITED-KINGDOM-CCGBC Civic Headquarter, Coleraine – © Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
200 Chinese tour operators participated in multiple trans-European familiarisation trips (FAMs), in order to extend their knowledge of Europe as a communal entity of inter-connected countries. The group of operators was clustered into 20 different multi-country itineraries based on the interest and product portfolio of each operator. The FAMs took place in in March 2018, October 2018 and March 2019.
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- AUSTRIA – Lake Wolfgang
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- CZECH REPUBLIC – Pilsen
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- LATVIA – Riga
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- BELGIUM – Brussels
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- CZECH REPUBLIC – Hluboka Castle
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- BELGIUM – Ghent
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- AUSTRIA – Schloss Ort
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- LATVIA – Liepāja
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- LITHUANIA – Klaipėda
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- LITHUANIA – Klaipėda
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- AUSTRIA – Linz
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- CROATIA
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- FRANCE – Reims
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- FRANCE – Reims
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- FINLAND – Helsinki
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- LITHUANIA
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- FINLAND
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- BELGIUM – Ghent
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- LITHUANIA – Vilnius
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- ESTONIA – Tallinn
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- AUSTRIA – Salzwelten
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- CZECH REPUBLIC – Starý Plzenec
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- CROATIA – Opatija
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- SERBIA – Oplenac
The 2018 EU-China Tourism Year was officially launched at the Doge’s Palace in Venice on 19 January in the presence of more than 600 European and Chinese representatives of the travel sector.
World Heritage Journeys Europe
Ancient City of Nessebar, Bulgaria
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- Nessebar was once an important trading city and part of the Delian League – an alliance of ancient Greek states. – © Nessebar Municipality
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- Nessebar hosts a number of festivals during the year, bringing tourists and locals together to celebrate art, culture, food, and music. – © Nessebar Municipality
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- Nessebar is not far from popular Black Sea beaches, which guarantee the chance to add seaside relaxation to a wonderful summer holiday. – © Nessebar Municipality
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- The Old Town of Nessebar has an impressive collection of historic buildings, including several churches that are considered to be cultural treasures of Bulgaria. – © Nessebar Municipality
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- The maze of Nessebar’s cobblestone streets takes visitors on a journey through thousands of years of history. – © Nessebar Municipality
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- Nessebar became an important trading city during the Ancient Greek period and coins began to be minted here from the 5th century BC. – © Nessebar Municipality
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- It takes just 30 minutes to walk around the path of the perimeter of Nessebar’s Old Town. – © Nessebar Municipality
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- Hagia Sophia is among the oldest Christian temples in Europe. – © Victor Lauer / Shutterstock
Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia, Italy
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- This traditionally seafaring city graced with a pleasant, mild climate is an ideal place to engage in any sport. Pictured here: Sailing along the famous Llarga Beach. – © Rafael López-Monné
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- The basilica is the most important Christian landmark in Aquileia and is world renowned for its stunning mosaic from the 4th century AD. – © Gianluca Baronchelli
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- The area of the Necropolis includes the only visible portion of several burial grounds that date from a period between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. – © Gianluca Baronchelli
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- The Südhalle is the best preserved of two large rectangular halls that used to stand on both sides of the Baptistery. – © Gianluca Baronchelli
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- The Aquileia Film Festival in late July is a treat for visitors of every age and shows the Piazza Capitolo and the basilica from a completely new perspective. – © Gianluca Baronchelli
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- The first visible remains in the site of the Roman House and Bishop’s Palace are the mosaic floor and walls from the 5th century. – © Gianluca Baronchelli
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- The Roman forum is beautiful all year, even when covered with snow, which hides the paved square, dating back to the 1st century AD. – © Gianluca Baronchelli
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- Inside the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, a clear elevated pathway just above the mosaics allows visitors to walk over the artworks and see them up close in great detail. – © Pecold / Shutterstock
Archaeological Site of Olympia, Greece
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- The plant species in the Olympic Botanical Garden were selected according to phytosociological research and historical and mythical references. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
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- The excavation, in 2014, of the Gymnasium, shows a large quadrangular building with central court enclosed by Doric stoas, where athletes practised for foot races and the pentathlon. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
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- The archaic, Doric temple of Hera, also known as Heraion is dated around 600 BCE and is the oldest temple of Olympia’s sanctuary. – © Natalia Evteeva
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- This Panhellenic sanctuary, dating back to the end of the 4th millennium BC, is one of the most important spots to trace the roots of Western culture due to its religious, political, and sports tradition. Pictured: The ruins of the recently restored Philippeion. – © Oleg Znamenskiy / Shutterstock.com
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- The remains of Leonidaion, the lodging place for distinguished guests. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
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- The Hellenic Presidential Guard departs from Olympia’s Stadium at the completion of the Olympic Flame Ceremony. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
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- Krypte Stoa is the vaulted, 32-metres long tunnel that connects the Stadium with the sacred Altis of Olympia – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
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- The Doric temple of Zeus (476-457 BCE) is famous for its splendid sculptural decoration and the colossal statue of the god, a masterpiece of Pheidias. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
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- View of the site of Olympia with the temples of Hera and Zeus in the foreground and the stadium in the background. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
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- The head priestess raises the Olympic Flame moments before the torch relay begins in the Stadium. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia
Pont du Gard, France
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- Photographic opportunities abound with this ancient masterpiece and especially when the light is right and the bridge is perfectly reflected in the water. – © Aurelio Rodriguez
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- The Museum is a perfect place to get an up-close view of the site. Pictured here: A reproduction of parts of the Roman aqueduct. – © Aurelio Rodriguez
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- The “Ludo” is a children’s area, where young visitors can have fun while learning. – © Aurelio Rodriguez
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- “Les Féeries du Pont” is an amazing sound and light show in June—and just one of the many events held on the Pont du Gard World Heritage Site. – © Nicolas Chavance / Groupe F
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- Pont du Gard is part of a Roman aqueduct in Southern France near Nimes. – © Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock
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- The wonder of the Pont du Gard can be appreciated from different angles, with trails leading up each side of the river and viewpoints from below. – © Aurelio Rodriguez
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- “Memories of Garrigue” is a 1.4-kilometre marked trail enclosed by dry stone walls and filled with acres of vineyards, olive groves, wheat fields, and oak trees. It tells the story of a Mediterranean landscape shaped by man for more than 2,000 years. – © Aurelio Rodriguez
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- Visitors on a guided tour explore the highest bridge-aqueduct built by the Romans 2,000 years ago. – © François Allaire
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- A panoramic view of the Site du Pont du Gard, which is considered to be among the best-preserved Roman aqueducts and a wonder of ancient construction. – © Aurelio Rodriguez
Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier, Germany
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- The Roman arena, built in the 2nd century A.D. for games with gladiators, prisoners and animals, had a seating capacity of about 22,000, and now serves as a venue for open-air concerts. – © Thomas Zühmer
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- At the time of their construction in the 2nd century, Barbara Baths were the second largest public baths in the whole of the Roman Empire. – © Thomas Zühmer / GDKE-Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier
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- Trier’s Rheinische Landesmuseum is one of the most important archaeological museums in Germany, with a collection that covers prehistory through the Roman period, the Middle Ages to the Baroque. – © Thomas Zühmer
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- The Church of Our Lady is the oldest Gothic church in Germany, built in the 13th century. – © Trier Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
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- Trier was one of the Roman Empire’s, and European Christianity’s, most important cities. Today it is a thriving place with historic sites, cultural festivals and events. – © Artur Feller
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- Going to the baths was an important part of Roman life and the Imperial Baths in Trier, were built 1600 years ago. – © Trier Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
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- A panoramic view of Trier from the banks of the Moselle River. – Trier Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
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- Front view of the Porta Nigra (Black Gate) in Trier, Germany, built by the Romans in 170 AD. – © Alex Tihonovs / Shutterstock
Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus, Greece
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- The Epidaurus Ancient Theatre is dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. – © saiko3p / Shutterstock
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- The sanctuary of Asklepios is a remarkable testament to the healing cults and practices of Greco-Roman antiquity. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida
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- The Abaton, or Enkoimeterion, was a prohibited place, where only patients who had purified themselves were allowed to enter. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida
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- The remains of the Temple of the healing god Asclepius brings visitors from around the world. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida
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- Patients, having read the miracle inscriptions of those healed before them, spent the night in the Abaton-Enkoimeterion hoping for a vision-filled dream and a cure. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida
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- The restored Propylon of the ceremonial banquet hall shows the high level of preservation found at the site. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida
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- The stadium, built in the 4th century BCE, held athletic games and may have also held performances before the theatre was built. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida
Stari Grad Plain, Croatia
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- North-west end of Hvar Island in the Adriatic Sea. – © Shufu Photoexperience / Shutterstock
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- One of the best ways to explore the Stari Grad Plain is by walking or cycling along the old paths that cross between the farming land. – © Stari Grad Plain
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- The Stari Grad Plain has numerous small chapels built for farmers. The Chapel of St. Roko was constructed in 1889 in gratitude for surviving a plague. – © Stari Grad Plain
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- The Chapel of St Helena was built in the 15th century. The rustic relief of the walking bear could be an artefact from an earlier Slavic sanctuary in the area. – © Stari Grad Plain
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- The Chapel of St. Michael was built in 1886 at the intersection of the ancient and medieval paths. Inside, there is a painting of the saint as a winged angel holding a spear. – © Stari Grad Plain
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- If enemies were approaching, smoke signals would be used at this watchtower to warn people in the fields or the town. – © Stari Grad Plain
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- To protect themselves from summer heat and winter rain, farmers built stone huts called “trims” near their fields on the plain. – © Stari Grad Plain
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- The old town of Stari Grad sits around a harbour where local fishing boats are moored. – © xbrchx / Shutterstock
Tarragona and the Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco, Spain
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- The annual city festival Santa Tecla blends tradition with dances, human towers, spark-throwing nighttime parades, mythological beasts, mediaeval treats, and ‘spoken dances’. – © Rafael López-Monné
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- Just a short distance from the city, the coastline boasts valuable natural landscapes—like La Creueta point, the ancient Roman quarry, pictured—that will take you back to an earlier time. – © Rafael López-Monné
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- The Pont del Diable (Devil’s Bridge) or the “Les Ferreres” Aqueduct—217 metres long and 25 metres high—is only a fragment of a much larger conduit used to supply water from the Francolí River. Here, the archaeological treasure frames Tarraco Viva, recognised as Europe’s most important cultural festival celebrating the Roman era. – © Rafael López-Monné
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- This traditionally seafaring city graced with a pleasant, mild climate is an ideal place to engage in any sport. Pictured here: Sailing along the famous Llarga Beach. – © Rafael López-Monné
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- The castells are human towers formed by huge groups of people and can reach up to ten levels in height and are were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. – © David Oliete
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- The Roman Amphitheatre of Tarragona was used for entertainment, including fights between gladiators and against wild beasts, as well as public executions. – © Veronika Galkina / Shutterstock
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- Tarragona’s calendar is filled with human tower events featuring the city’s four colles, with some of the best teams from the rest of Catalonia also invited. – © Rafael López-Monné
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- The Paleochristian Museum and Necropolis allows visitors to understand Roman funerary practices. Travellers learn about the different types of graves employed in antiquity, used for the adulation of the martyrs, and celebrated as a centre of pilgrimage until the beginning of the Visigoth era. – © Manel Antoli RV Edipress / Tarragona Tourist Board
Bruges Historic Centre, Belgium
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- Bruges’s Christmas Market attracts visitors from around the world. – © Jan D’Hondt / VisitBruges
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- On any lazy Sunday come to admire the four remaining windmills as well as several medieval town gates. – © Jan D’Hondt / VisitBruges
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- Shopping in Bruges rivals any cultural centre in Europe. – © Jan D’Hondt / VisitBruges
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- One of many perfect photo ops: a boat under the bridge at Begijnhof. – © Jan D’Hondt / VisitBruges
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- Spring in Bruges, at the Beguinage. – © Jan D’Hondt / VisitBruges
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- Bruges’s Market Square is as historic as it is beautiful. – © Jan D’Hondt / VisitBruges
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- The Rozenhoedkaai during wintertime—one of Bruges’ most romantic hotspots. – © Jan D’Hondt / VisitBruges
Historic Centre of San Gimignano, Italy
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- Since 1998, the calm waters of the Fonte delle Fate—or Fairies’ Spring—and its massive structure have watched over “I Dormienti” (The Sleepers), as they sleep. This series of bronze sculptures was created by Mimmo Paladino (Arte all’Arte 1998). – © Stefano Cannas / Fondazione Sistema Toscana
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- Rocca of Montestaffoli offers breathtaking views of the historical centre with its unique towers and surrounding countryside. – © Andrea Miserocchi / Italian Stories
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- Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine has been grown in this region since the Middle Ages. – © Consorzio della Denominazione San Gimignano
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- Inside the Camera del Podestà, you can glimpse into medieval times through magnificent frescoes. – © Musei Civici San Gimignano
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- The court in the Town Hall is full of history and the symbols from past noble families. – © Duccio Nacci
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- A classic Tuscan scene. San Gimignano is just down the road from other beautiful cities Volterra, Monteriggioni, Poggibonsi, Casole d’Elsa, Colle val d’Elsa, Radicondoli, and Pomarance. – © Andrea Miserocchi / Italian Stories
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- From the top of Torre Grossa, you can see the historical centre and the Francigena Road in the distance. – © Musei Civici San Gimignano
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- San Gimignano has retained its appearance from medieval times with its architectural integrity and urban layout intact. – © Andrea Migliorini
Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, Czech Republic
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- The neoclassical folly on Reisten Hill is used as a viewpoint above Valtice at the Czech–Austrian border. It was one of the last pieces of work by architect Josef Hardtmuth in the Liechtenstein’s service (1810-1817). – © ZM_Photo / Shutterstock
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- The Valtice Castle Theatre was originally built in 1790 and was recently fully reconstructed in 2015. The theatre’s Baroque wooden machinery is now working again and hosts regular cultural events. – © Jiří Wasserbauer
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- Visitors are drawn to the Lednice Castle’s popular guided tours, which are divided into four different circuits. They help travellers discover the spectacularly renovated interiors. – © František Sysel
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- One of the finest examples of landscape architecture in Europe, the Lednice-Valtice area stretches some 200 square kilometres in the south-eastern corner of the Czech Republic. Pictured: the Lednice Chateau. – © pyty / Shutterstock
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- Valtice Castle is one of the most impressive baroque residences of Central Europe. Originally a Gothic castle founded in the 12th century, from 1530 Valtice became the place of residence for the princely family of Liechtenstein. A number of important architects of the 17th and 18th centuries contributed to this design. – © Pecold / Shutterstock
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- A picturesque small town with a long history, Valtice was first mentioned in 1192. From 1394 until 1939, it served as the Liechtenstein Dynasty’s residence. There is a Baroque parish church (pictured) on the square and other historical sites in town. – © ZM_Photo / Shutterstock
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay, France
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- The Mont-Saint-Michel can be discovered by day or by night. – © Philippe Berthé / Centre des monuments nationaux
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- Sheeps of “pré-salé” (salted field) at the foot of the Mont-Saint-Michel. – © Philippe Berthé / Centre des monuments nationaux
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- Mont-Saint-Michel – © Philippe Berthé / Centre des monuments nationaux
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- Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey: Cloister bays. – © Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel / Centre des monuments nationaux
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- Mont-Saint-Michel at dusk. – © Philippe Berthé / Centre des monuments nationaux
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- Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey: the monks’ ancient Refectory. – © Colombe Clier / Centre des monuments nationaux
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- Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey: the Monks’ covered walk. – © Étienne Revault / Centre des monuments nationaux
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- Mont-Saint-Michel. – © werner22brigitte / Pixabay
Pafos (Paphos), Cyprus
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- The ancient Roman city at Kato Pafos evolved over centuries after the decline of the empire. This Byzantine castle was built in the 13th century AD. – © anyaivanova / Shutterstock
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- The castle serves as the backdrop for events and festivals, including the Pafos Aphrodite Festival in September. – © lightpoet / Shutterstock
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- The Pafos Odeon inside the Kato Pafos Archaeological Site was built from limestone in the 2nd century AD. It’s still used for musical and dramatic performances. – © Michael Turtle
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- Archaeological research still takes place at the Tombs of the Kings, the burial place for aristocrats. – © Michael Turtle
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- To protect the intricate floor mosaics at the Kato Pafos Archaelogical Site, conservation works are systematically conducted. – © Michael Turtle
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- Tombs of the Kings is a majestic necropolis that was used from about the 4th century BC until the 3rd century AD as the burial place for the wealthy and powerful. – © mahout / Shutterstock
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- Petra tou Romiou is Aphrodite’s legendary birthplace in Pafos, Cyprus. – © Maryna Pleshkun / Shutterstock
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- Ancient columns in Kato Pafos Archaeological Site. The city of Pafos was moved from Palaipafos to Nea Pafos in the 4th century BC because it offered a better harbour for trade. – © Tony Baggett / Shutterstock
Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Germany
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- The Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, Kaub was an inspiration for French writer Victor Hugo. Today it is a popular subject for photographers and the island can be reached by a small ferry. – © Werner Schwarz / Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley
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- The Günderodehaus is one of the most romantic places in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. A romantic half-timbered house high above the Rhine Valley, the “Günderrode House” has fantastic views over the Loreley Rock. – © Thomas Merz / Rhein-Touristik Tal der Loreley
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- The distinctive Loreley Cliff, the Middle Rhine’s famous landmark, towers 125 meters above the river. According to legend, Loreley used to sit here, combing her long blonde hair, and sending smitten sailors to their doom. – © Herbert Piel / Piel Media, Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley
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- Stolzenfels Castle, Koblenz-Stolzenfels, was rebuilt between 1836 and 1842 as a summer residence for Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia. – © Ulrich Peuffer / Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz
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- You will find extraordinary stops on the Rhine Cycle route, at one of the ‘Rhine-Views’ along the Loreley-Valley. – © Dominik Ketz / Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
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- “Deutsches Eck” (German Corner) is Germany’s best-known river confluence. This is where “Old Father Rhine” meets “Mother Moselle.” It’s also the starting point for the cable car to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. – © Herbert Piel / Piel Media, Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley
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- Boppard’s riverbank promenade is lined with traditional hotels and historical buildings. – © Herbert Piel / Piel Media, Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley
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- There are magnificent views from vantage points like this on the RheinBurgenWeg. – © Dominik Ketz / Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Vilnius Historic Centre, Lithuania
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- The Neris River divides the city between the old and new. – © Deimantė Statinytė / www.realisbeautiful.lt
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- The welcoming color of terra-cotta red dominates the Vilnius cityscape. – © Aistė Bu / www.realisbeautiful.lt
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- White angels—a Vilnius symbol—protect residents and visitors from trouble. – © www.vilnius-tourism.lt
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- The Great Courtyard is a harmonious space reminiscent of Italian Renaissance squares, though it actually combines three styles: Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicist. – © Laimonas Ciūnys
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- Beautiful sakura trees remind Vilnius residents of the special relationship between Lithuania and Japan. – © Saulius Ziura / www.vilnius-tourism.lt
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- UNESCO recognized Vilnius’s unique and diverse Old Town—one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe—in 1994. – © www.vilnius-tourism.lt
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- Vilnius has been considered a “tolerant city” for centuries, and continues that tradition today. – © Audrius Dzimidavicius / www.vilnius-tourism.lt
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- Full of cosy cafes and galleries, Stikliu is one Vilnius’s most charming streets. – © www.vilnius-tourism.lt
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- Romance is in full bloom during a walk in Vilnius in early autumn. – © Laimonas Ciūnys / State Department of Tourism
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- Vilnius is is one of Europe’s most photogenic and artistic cities. – © Vaidas Kančauskas / www.realisbeatiful.lt
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- Vilnius is best enjoyed from the unique perspective of a hot-air balloon. – © Kęstutis Petronis / State Department of Tourism
Wachau Cultural Landscape, Austria
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- The Historic City of Krems, the largest city of the site, has been a role model town for monument protection since the 1970s. – © Stadt Krems
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- The Meditation Garden is a contemporary structure following the ancient layout of the former Carthusian monastery. – © Anna Lun
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- The Wachau features high-quality arts and culture events all year long—like the Summer Theater in Melk. – © Daniela Matejschek / Wachau Kultur Melk
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- In recent years, many of the old branches of the Danube have been reconnected to the main river for ecological reasons. – © Michael Schimek
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- The Wachau is a year-round destination with activities worth a visit during every season. – © Lachlan Blair / Donau NÖ
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- Summer Solstice is celebrated by a multitude of fires and lights, attracting thousands of people, both on the Danube and on land. – © Cathrine Stukhard / NÖW
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- A perfect Wachau combination: well-preserved drystone wall terraces, enchanting villages—like Weißenkirchen—and the freely flowing Danube linking all the elements. – © Lois Lammerhuber / NÖ Werbung
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- Christianity left its traces everywhere along the landscape. One fine example is the magnificent Göttweig Abbey, which marks the eastern end of the valley. – © extremfotos.com / Donau NÖ
Aranjuez Cultural Landscape, Spain
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- King Ferdinand VI of Spain and Queen Barbara of Bragança, his wife, in the gardens of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, by Francesco Battaglioli (1756). – © Museo del Prado
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- Every September, Aranjuez comes alive with the celebrations of the ‘Fiestas del Motín de Aranjuez’ – the 1808 Riot of Aranjuez Festival. It’s one of the biggest events of the year in Aranjuez, with historical reenactments, theatre, parades and music. – © Miguel Portillo / Municipality of Aranjuez
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- Visitors are drawn to the Chinese Pond, in the Prince’s Garden, and its three small islets—the sites of a Greek temple, a Chinese temple, and an obelisk. – © Michael Turtle
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- View of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez from the Island Garden, overlooking Castañuelas Waterfall. – © Joaquin Álvarez
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- Fountain of Apollo. Located in the Prince’s Garden, it is one of the most spectacular fountains in this garden due to its architectural composition and location, at the end of one of the most beautiful tree-lined walks in this garden. – © Joaquín Álvarez
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- The Royal Palace of Aranjuez’s archway. – © Carlos G. Lopez / Shutterstock
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- For centuries, the kings and queens of Spain spent their spring months at the Palace of Aranjuez enjoying the stunning gardens that surround the grounds. – © Anton Ivanov / Shutterstock
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- A balloon ride is a great way to appreciate the architecture and design of Aranjuez’s landscape from above. – © Antonio Castillo López
Caserta Royal Palace and Park, Italy
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- The Court Theatre – here with a view from the King’s box – is among the most popular attractions in the five-floor palace. – © Reggia Archive
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- Fontana dei Delfini (Dolphin fountain). – © Mariano De Angelis
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- Perhaps the most integral aspect of this Palace’s majesty and beauty is its park, composed of numerous fountains and waterfalls. The park is a typical example of an Italian garden, landscaped with vast fields, flower beds and, above all, a triumph of “water games” or dancing fountains. – © Gimas / Shutterstock
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- At Caserta, a chain of fountains and basins stretch out for more than three kilometres from the palace to a waterfall in the forest. – © Gimas / Shutterstock
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- The Scalone d’onore (Stairway of Honor). The palace has five floors and 1,200 rooms including the Court Chapel, the Palatine Library, and a theatre modelled after the Teatro San Carlo of Naples. – © Mariano De Angelis
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- Combining the influences of Versailles, Rome, and Tuscany, the Caserta Royal Palace and Park, was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, one of the greatest Italian architects of the 18th century. – © onairda / Shutterstock
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- Combining the influences of Versailles, Rome, and Tuscany, the Caserta Royal Palace and Park, was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, one of the greatest Italian architects of the 18th century. – © onairda / Shutterstock
Cultural Landscape of Sintra, Portugal
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- The Sintra coastline viewed from the westernmost point of Europe, Cabo da Roca, and the last piece of land seen by the 15th century Portuguese sailors heading seeking new maritime routes. – © PSML / Luís Duarte
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- The Moorish Fountain, or Fonte Mourisca, pays tribute to the many styles and architecture that have passed through the region. – © cordwainer / Shutterstock
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- In the 19th century, the Moorish Castle was restored by King Ferdinand II as a medieval ruin—in keeping with the romantic taste of the period. – © PSML / EMIGUS
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- The tunnels leading from Quinta da Regaleira’s initiation well show visitors that Sintra is loaded with wonder both above and below ground. – © LALS STOCK / Shutterstock
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- The Palace within the Quinta da Regaleira feels like a natural extension of the grounds, which incorporates many styles from many periods. – © leoks / Shutterstock
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- The Chalet of the Countess of Edla lies at the western end of the Park of Pena. – © PSML / EMIGUS
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- The Valley of Lakes in the Park of the National Palace of Pena. – © PSML / EMIGUS
Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž, Czech Republic
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- The Municipal Monument Reserve Kroměříž was established in 1978 and covers the historical centre of the town including the church of St. Moritz and the Archiepiscopal Lyceum shown in this picture. – © Tomas Vrtal
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- The Ornamental Orchard has two ponds, Strawberry Hills (pictured), and a collection of fruit trees. – © Tomas Vrtal
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- The Lion Fountain, with its theme referring to the stories from the Old Testament and to the ancient hero Heracles, still retains its authentic unaltered form. – © Tomas Vrtal
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- The Archbishop’s Palace. The castle and gardens in Kroměříž serve as a fine example of a Baroque residential complex. – © Petr Baumann / Shutterstock
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- Founded by Bishop Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorno around 1694, the palace library is the largest and most valuable historical library in the Czech Republic. – © Tomas Vrtal
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- The central part of the Flower Garden consists of two sections: the Blooming Garden with the Colonnade, Rotunda, fountains, and clipped hedges. – © Tomas Vrtal
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- The Long Lake in the Palace Gardens is a wonderful setting for a pleasant stroll in any season of the year. – © Tomas Vrtal
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- The Rotunda’s interior is lavishly decorated with painted and sculpted decorations, mosaics, and seashells, as well as with mythological scenes inspired by the Ovid’s Metamorphoses. – © Tomas Vrtal
Palace and Park of Versailles, France
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- Visiting the Great Stables unveils a wonderful collection of majestic coaches and small carriages for Marie-Antoinette’s children, sedan chairs, and sleds. The exhibition of these creations is an amazing testimony to the pomp and splendor of court life during the Ancien Régime, the Empire, and the Restoration. – © Thomas Garnier
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- Following the European taste for the “fermes ornées,” Marie-Antoinette tasked Richard Mique with extending the gardens to the north and building a whole model village around an artificial lake. Combining various influences from rural architecture, the queen enjoyed an etiquette-free life with her close friends in her cozy cottage. – © Toucan Wings
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- The Royal Opera House is one of the greatest works by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Inaugurated in 1770 during the reign of Louis XV, it was the largest concert hall in Europe and was also a great technical achievement and an impressive feat of decoration refinement. It has hosted celebrations, shows, and parliamentary debates. – © Thomas Garnier
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- Located behind the Royal Gate, the Marble Courtyard was part of the original hunting pavilion. Louis XIV had it decorated with black and white marble squares from Vaux-le-Vicomte. Located five steps above the Honor Courtyard, it was used for official ceremonies and occasionally for spectacles. – © Thomas Garnier
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- The Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room in the Palace was constructed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1678 and its vaulted ceiling was painted by Charles Le Brun between 1681 and 1684. At that time, mirrors were extremely expensive and the seventeen arches reflected the power and wealth of France. – © Thomas Garnier
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- Upon taking possession of the Petit Trianon in 1774, Marie-Antoinette set about thoroughly remodeling the gardens. Louis XV’s botanical gardens were replaced by a vast Anglo-Oriental Garden, more in keeping with contemporary tastes. The Queen made a conscious decision to limit the number of buildings, such as the Love Monument. – © Thomas Garnier
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- When night falls, the Gardens of Versailles are transformed to offer a stunning visual and musical treat as fountains and groves come alive with colourful and dramatic lighting effects. Every year during summer lightning and stage-effects artists light up the Gardens and display their surprising installations to the strollers. – © Thomas Garnier
Palaces and Parks of Potsdam, Germany
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- New splendour: the Old Market in the historical city centre. – © A. Stiebitz / PMSG
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- Downtown Potsdam is a buzzing centre with cafes, bistros, and boutiques. – © Andre Stiebitz / PMSG
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- The last Hohenzollern building to be constructed in Potsdam, Cecilienhof Palace was built in 1913-17 in the style of an English country manor for Prussia’s Crown Prince William and his wife Cecilie. – © Noppasin Wongchum / Shutterstock
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- The Friedenskirche (Church of Peace) was built in 1845–54 from plans drawn up by Ludwig Persius and August Stüler on the basis of sketches by Frederick William IV. Along with the adjacent Preacher’s House and the small Marly Palace, the triple-nave basilica is part of an architectural ensembles that links the king’s religiosity rooted in German Romanticism with his admiration for Italy. – © Andre Stiebitz / SPSG
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- The Garden façade from the parterre with the French Rondel. The focus of the central pleasure ground is the French Rondel. Frederick received an exceptionally valuable gift from the French King Louis XV (1715-1774) in 1750. Five marble sculptures were brought to Potsdam by water. Four of them form the basis for the twelve sculptures encircling the rondel. – © H.Bach / SPSG
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- Elegantly placed to accentuate its length—and seemingly untouched by time— Sanssouci Palace sits upon the plateau of a vineyard. Sanssouci Palace, built by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobbelsdorff in only a two-year construction period, is a major work of German Rococo architecture that was the favorite residence of Frederick the Great. – © L. Seidel / SPSG
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- Architectural garden design and landscape gardening have been fused at Sanssouci Park for more the 250 years. The park, comprised of approximately 300 hectares, is regarded as the work of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. – © H. Bach / SPSG
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- The New Palace is the last royal residence Frederick the Great would have built in his park. It was a demonstration of the Prussian state’s undiminished power and wealth following the deprivations of the Seven Years’ War (1756–63). – © Jrossphoto / Shutterstock
Par Force Hunting Landscape of North Sealand, Denmark
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- Christian V’s Oak is said to be the spot where the King was seriously wounded during a par force hunt. The injury led to his death a year later. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- Play a game of golf while the red and fallow deer graze only a few feet away. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- An alley of beautiful old trees, called “The Queen’s Beeches,” runs from Lake Esrum and was planted in the early 18th century by King Frederick IV. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- Visitors regularly enjoy the Par Force Hunting Landscape to walk, run, bike, or ride on horseback through the forests. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- The gravel roads of the King’s Star in the Great Deer Park are ideal for cycling. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- Long straight roads allowed for clear lines of sight— useful for riders keeping track of the hunt. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- King Christian V placed these stone monuments to clearly define the hunting landscape of the Great Deer Park. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- Placed centrally in the Great Deer Park, the King’s Star shows the dominance over nature with geometry and force. – © Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- The royal hunting lodge—placed centrally in Jægersborg Deer Park—is still occasionally used by the royal family. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- Gribskov Forest horses still roam—although they are no longer used for royal hunts. Today, they help maintain the environment. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
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- Visitors easily explore the Gribskov Forest by following the clearly marked stones placed at junctions. – © Sune Magyar / Parforcejagtlandskabet i Nordsjælland
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom
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- Kew holds one of the world’s greatest collections of botanical art, with more than 200,000 items dating back to the days before photography could be used for the study of plants. In 2008, Kew opened a new gallery to display these works alongside pieces from the collection of Dr Shirley Sherwood. – © RBG Kew
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- Created for the Japan-British Exhibition held at White City in London in 1910, the Japanese Gateway was built in the architectural style of the late-16th century Momoyama (or Japanese rococo) period. – © RBG Kew
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- The Sackler Crossing, installed in 2006, gives easy access to some of Kew’s less visited areas. – © RBG Kew
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- In the centre of the Mediterranean Garden stands King William’s Temple, built in 1837 for Queen Victoria, in memory of William IV. – © Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock
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- Take the opportunity to relax with a seat on a bench under a tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens. – © Dmitry Naumov / Shutterstock
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- The Great Pagoda was the most accurate reconstruction of a Chinese building in Europe at the time. – © Radka Palenikova /Shutterstock
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- The Japanese garden – a highly manicured landscape comprised of three garden areas and created to complement the Chokushi-Mon (Japanese Gateway). – © Cristian Gusa / Shutterstock
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- Climb to this one-of-a-kind Treetop Walkway, 18m high and 200m long—for a bird’s eye view of Kew. – © ileana_bt / Shutterstock
Royal Domain of Drottningholm, Sweden
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- Built in 1766 at the request of Queen Lovisa Ulrika, the royal theatre is constructed of simple materials and playfully decorated using paint, stucco, and papier mâché. The wooden stage machinery is operated by hand. King Gustaf III used it up until his death in 1792. This sleeping beauty was then rediscovered in 1921. – © Alexis Daflos
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- This small red gem lies in the middle of the green Swedish landscape. The Chinese Pavilion took its inspiration from another continent and was filled with exotic features. It was given to Queen Lovisa Ulrika for her birthday on 24 July 1753 by her husband, King Adolf Fredrik. – © Alexis Daflos
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- The Royal Chapel at Drottningholm was inaugurated in May 1746. During the chapel’s more than 250-year history, Royal events have continued to be held here. On the last Sunday of every month, the parish of Lovön holds high mass. – © Lisa Raihle
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- Nicodemus Tessin the Elder created a number of interiors, which rank among the foremost in Sweden from the early Baroque of the 1660s and 1670s. The Queen Hedvig Eleonora’s State Bedchamber is one of the finest. – © Alexis Daflos
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- There are plenty of things to discover in every room of Drottningholm Palace. The three Swedish crowns decorate this rococo fire screen in the Ehrenstrahl Drawing Room. – © Kate Gabor
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- The Library of Queen Lovisa Ulrika at Drottningholm is often presented as the most beautiful room in Sweden. It was the famous painter and architect Jean Eric Rehn who created the drawings for the light, white room, which is finished with gilding. – © Alexis Daflos
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- A boat ride is one of the best ways to experience Drottningholm. – © Gomer Swahn
Champagne Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars, France
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- The moment of truth during any holiday in Champagne: a dégustation (wine tasting) at Villa Demoiselle in Reims. – © S. Millot
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- The famous Notre-Dame de Reims at twilight is worth a visit to the region all by itself. – © Natalia Bratslavsky / Shutterstock
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- Visitors take a step into the fruits of the wine’s labor on the Orangerie Avenue de Champagne in Epernay. – © Michel Jolyot
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- Tours and tastings at the Champagne houses are a daytime affair, as evidenced by the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay at night. – © Michel Jolyot
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- Historic hillside vineyards of Hautvillers. – © Michel Jolyot
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- Vine cultivation is both a science and an art. – © Michel Jolyot
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- A windmill on a hill in the Champagne Region provides one of the many photo ops during a visit here. – © Stephane Debove / Shutterstock
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- Visitors come from around the world to see the famous Caves of the Avenue de Champagne. – © Michel Jolyot
Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity, Slovakia
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- Clouds provide a mysterious atmosphere above the Calvary’s Baroque architecture. – © TTstudio / Shutterstock
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- Andrej Kmeť Street in Banská Štiavnica. A raised walkway, called a “trotuar” by Štiavnica’s residents, is a place full of shops and cafés with an atmosphere reminiscent of a bustling Parisian boulevard. – © Jan Petrik
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- The Calvary in Banská Štiavnica was built by Jesuits in the 18th century. The steep ascent to the Upper Church is rewarded by a wonderful view of Banská Štiavnica and its surroundings. – © Maran Garai / Shutterstock
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- There are discoveries around every corner in Banská Štiavnica, like the stalagmites with stripes (from temperature differences between day and night) found in an abandoned mine. – © Albert Russ / Shutterstock
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- Almost all burgher houses on the Holy Trinity Square have mining galleries in their basements. Michal Gallery, in the Berggericht Mining Museum, is accessible to the public. – © Lubo Lužina
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- The Banská Štiavnica region, located in the middle of a dormant volcano, is known for gentle, rolling hills. This can be felt in town, where everything is either up or downhill. – © TTstudio / Shutterstock
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- Mist and snow surrounds the New Castle and Calvary in Banská Štiavnica. – © Maran Garai / Shutterstock
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- The steep ascent to the Upper Church is rewarded by a wonderful view of Banská Štiavnica and its surroundings. – © Maran Garai / Shutterstock
Major Mining Sites of Wallonia, Belgium
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- Workers use hammers to crush coal into smaller pieces in the sorting plant. – © FTPL
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- The steam engine in the Industry Museum is one of the exhibits explaining the process of mining. – © Photo-Daylight
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- Pictured: the Bois du Cazier colliery from the spoil heap. Travellers will find a singular lens magnifying the mining world during the 19th and 20th centuries. – © Photo-Daylight
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- A respect is shown for traditions. Shown here is a celebration for Saint Barbara and Saint Eloi. – © Alain Forti
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- Every aspect of existence—even the showers and baths—is put under a microscope at the Wallonia site. – © Marina Cavazza
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- In the lamp room, visitors get a human feel for the routines the miners lived with every day. – © Marina Cavazza
Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar, and Upper Harz Water Management System, Germany
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- Hiking at Torfhaus in the Harz mountains is the best way to get to know Germany’s northernmost low mountain range. Discover the Harz Mountains and collect stamps to become a Harzer Wander King or even a hiking emperor. – © Tourism Board Harz
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- More than 1,500 excellently preserved half-timbered houses of different eras are located in the centre of Goslar’s picturesque old town and within the former city wall. – © Stefan Schiefer / GOSLAR marketing gmbh
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- Goslar is always buzzing with activity. Pictured: the Market square, town hall, and market church “St. Cosmas and Damian,” which was built during the 11th century. – © Stefan Schiefer / GOSLAR marketing gmbh
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- The World Heritage Site Rammelsberg’s collection—including these mine cars—is a multifaceted and large repository of excavation knowledge. – © Stefan Sobotta
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- In the Rammelsberg visitor mine, which was shut down in 1988, the technical facilities of approximately 1,000 years of mining have been largely preserved. The above-ground facilities occupy a seminal position in the industrial architecture of the 20th century. – © Stefan Sobotta
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- The narrow tunnels, driven into the mountain with the simplest tools—hammer and chisel—give an idea of how hard the miners’ work must have been. – © Stefan Sobotta
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- According to archaeological findings, Rammelsberg colliery is probably the oldest mine in Europe. There are indications of mining activities dating back to the 3rd century. – © Stefan Sobotta
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- When visitors ride the yellow train, they enter history, and the mine, like miners did in the old days. – © Stefan Sobotta
Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun, Sweden
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- The road into the 95-metre-deep pit is used to get into the modern mine to check the pumps. The Great Pit is not accessible for visitors. – © Imfoto / Shutterstock
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- The one-hour guided Falun Mine tour travels through hundreds years of history and is an adventure for the whole family. – © Jeanette Hägglund
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- The museum offers many different activities and takes visitors travelling through time from the age of the Vikings to the year 2001, when Falun and the mine became a World Heritage site. – © Per Eriksson
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- The journey into the Falun copper mine begins with a yellow or orange helmet and a cape. – © Jeanette Hägglund
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- Winter in the Falun Mine region is a magical time and the snow beautifully highlights the factory’s red Falun paint. – © Richard Lindor
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- The first stop of the mine tour is the hanging wooden tower. It offers a fantastic view of the Great Pit. – © Jeanette Hägglund
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- The Creutz shaft head, from 1852, is on top of the 208-metre shaft. You can enter the building and look down from Sweden’s highest bridge. – © Pecold / Shutterstock
Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin, France
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- The first garden city in continental Europe was built in 1904 by the Société des Mines de Dourges. The Antique Bruno Garden City in Dourges is a small nugget of the mining basin, and has just been rehabilitated. – © Jean-Michel André
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- Take in the site’s unassuming artistry with a poetic and refined look at the twin slag heaps of Loos-en-Gohelle from the Canadian Vimy Memorial. – © Jean-Michel André
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- With its majestic facades and formal gardens, the Lens Mining Company Central Office in Lens was a true mark of the power exerted over the region. The directors commissioned renowned Art Deco designers, including Marjorelle and Daum, to furnish and decorate the building’s interior. – © Jean-Michel André
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- Truly a sensational, daring, and original experience, Loisinord at Noeux-les-Mines provides an opportunity to ski on a spoil heap. – © Mission Bassin Minier
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- Tours at the Historic Mining Centre in Lewarde encourage young visitors to see beneath the surface. – ©Jean-Michel André
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- A sunset hike to the twin spoil heaps of pit No. 6 at Maisnil-lez-Ruitz and Ruitz promises solitude and wonderful panoramas. – © Yannick Cadart / Pas-de-Calais Departmental Council
Royal Salt Mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia, Poland
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- Halite crystal from the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The name derives from Greek words halos – salt, salty and lithos – rock. Mineral indispensable for human life. – © Aleksandra Zapolska
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- Horse-powered treadmills are the largest and the most important extraction machines used in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Thanks to such treadmills and hard work of horses it was possible to extract up to 80 tons of salt a day. – © Bartek Papież
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- Bas-relief made of salt in the Staszic Chamber commemorates the entry of the Wieliczka Salt Mine in the first UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. – © Rafał Stachurski
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- The legend of St. Kinga is illustrated by a group of sculptures located in the Janowice Chamber in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. – © Artur Grzybowski
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- Miners drilling blast holes in the Bochnia Salt Mine. The technique was used from the end of the 19th century. Photograph from the 1930s. – © Bochnia Salt Mine
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- Rolling of salt loaves with wooden poles is one of the numerous professional specialisations of the workers of the former mine. – © Saltworks Museum in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Drawing by Alfons Długosz
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- Illustrated cross-section of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, made by Johann Borlach in 1719 presents the most important types of work of the Wieliczka miners. The image is an excellent source for the researchers examining the history of the mine. – © Artur Grzybowski
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- Model featuring the Saltworks Castle, defence walls, shafts and the mining hospital shows the 17th century Wieliczka. Museum in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. – © Artur Grzybowski
Tokaj Wine Region, Hungary
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- Stopping at the local wineries, visitors will taste the different dry and sweet styles and learn about their production—such as oak barrel storage like this in the tunnel of an old cellar. – © Natalia Bratslavsky / Shutterstock
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- Over the centuries, different ethnic groups settled in the area—drawn partly by the unique environment that lent itself to wine production. Pictured here: old bottles of white wine with famous black mold. – © RossHelen / Shutterstock
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- The traditional wine cellars in Hercegkut, near Sarospatak, are good examples of the ample opportunities visitors have to learn and taste in the Tokaj Region. – © woyzzeck / Shutterstock
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- Tokaj’s hand-carved, volcanic underground cellars of the 13th century—such as the Oremus Cellar in Tolcsva—have been well-preserved. – © György Darabos
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- Vineyard and hills in Tokaj Region, where a distinct winemaking tradition has existed for more than one thousand years – © Pecold / Shutterstock
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- Fermentation takes place in 140-litre Gönci barrels made from Hungarian oak, in cellars extending for over two kilometres, where natural yeasts abound. The process and can take one to two years. – © György Darabos
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- The Tokaj Region provides a perfect balance of beautiful panoramas and vineyard discovery. – © vitalez / Shutterstock
Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, Germany
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- The 3.5-kilometre-long Ring Promenade surrounds the entire UNESCO World Heritage Site and invites visitors to actively experience the industrial nature. – © Jochen Tack / Zollverein Foundation
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- A clear blue pool in the middle of the Zollverein Coking Plant: During the summer holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia, visitors to Zollverein can cool off and relax in the Works Swimming Pool. – © Jochen Tack / Zollverein Foundation
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- Many chefs from Essen present their skills and regional specialities at the Gourmetmeile Ruhr food festival in August. – © Jochen Tack / Zollverein Foundation
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- The permanent exhibition of the Ruhr Museum shows the region’s nature and culture history, from prehistory to industrialisation to the present. The museum has comprehensive collections comprising about four million exhibits and photographs. – © Brigida González / Ruhr Museum
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- The stairwell in the coking coal bunker’s nearly 20-metre-deep shaft takes visitors to the Ruhr Museum’s exhibition levels. The orange colour marks a newly introduced element. – © Thomas Willemsen / Zollverein Foundation
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- Zollverein is regarded as the “most beautiful coal mine in the world,” a monument of industrial heritage, and symbol of Europe’s once largest coal mine’s transformation into an attractive future location for culture, leisure activities, and business events. – © Jochen Tack / Zollverein Foundation
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- Germany’s largest freestanding moving stairway is the 58-metre outdoor escalator at Zollverein. It is the entrance to the former Coal Washery and a popular photo opportunity. – © Frank Vinken / Zollverein Foundation
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- The Zollverein Monument Path offers guided tours of the coal mine and coking plant all year. An average of 150,000 annual visitors explore the UNESCO World Heritage site. – © Jochen Tack / Zollverein Foundation
