Western Europe 
Area Destination Guides

Amsterdam, the greatest planned city of northern Europe, has always been a well-known name in world history and played a central role in the history of the Netherlands. In the 17th century Amsterdam was the centre of world economy, and nowadays the city is known for its tolerant character.

Barcelona, city, seaport, and capital of Barcelona Provincia (province) and of Catalonia Comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), northeastern Spain, located 90-miles (150-km) south of the French border. It is Spain’s major Mediterranean port and commercial center and is famed for its individuality, cultural interest, and physical beauty.

Around the 3rd century BC, the area that is now Belgium was a part of Gaul, and the Belgae tribes inhabited it. Many believe the name Belgium originates from the name of these tribes. One of the things most hotly debated about these tribes of people is whether they were Germanic, Celtic, or a mix of the two. The Belgae people were considered the bravest of all the tribes in Gaul. This bravery was exemplified to Julius Caesar, as it took him four years to conquer them. He finally did in 53 BC.

Florence was founded as a Roman military colony by Julius Caesar in 59 BC and even served as Italy's capital from 1865– 1870. During the 14th–16th century, Florence achieved prominence in commerce and finance, learning, and especially the arts.

Germany's history dates as far back as the days of the Holy Roman Empire. Julius Cesar gave the region the name of Germania. It wasn't until 1648 that Germany began ruling as its own country at the end of the Thirty Year's War. Throughout history, Germany began to rise as a European superpower, which ended with the fall of Nazi rule at the of Wolrd War II. Soon after the war ended, the Cold War began, which divided the county in half. East and West Germany were separated by the Berlin Wall and weren't reunited until 1990. Since the fall of the wall, Germany has reminded a strong and unified country.

Caught in the ebb and flow of the last Ice Ages over the previous 2-million-years, Ireland was at various times mostly glaciated and completely land-locked as a part of the continent of Europe. Ireland was an island about 125,000-years-ago when the sea level appears to have been very close to its present position. The sea level dropped 130-meters (426-feet) or more during the interval from around 30,000 to 15,000 years-ago when Ireland became part of continental Europe again. Sea levels have generally been rising ever since, albeit at a much slower rate.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in western Europe. After the Celts settled in the region, it was found by the Phoenicians. They established a settlement called Ulissipo, which was then conquered by the Greeks and Carthaginians. In 205 BC, the Romans won the Second Punic War against the Carthaginians and occupied the city, calling it Olissipo. Ancient Lisbon was integrated into the Roman province of Lusitania, but when the Roman Empire collapsed, it was invaded by Germanic tribes and was controlled by the Kingdom of the Suebi until 585.

Its name is derived from the Celtic word Londinios, which means “The Place of the Bold One”. It was the Romans who were responsible for the city we know today as London. The strategic location of the city allowed the Romans easy access to Europe, and the River Thames provided ample water supply. They invaded Britain in AD 43, and soon afterwards founded the city of Londinium.

Paris, city and capital of France, situated in the north-central part of the country. People were living on the site of the present-day city, located along the Seine River some 233-miles (375-km) upstream from the river’s mouth on the English Channel (La Manche), by about 7600 BCE. The modern city has spread from the island (the Île de la Cité) and far beyond both banks of the Seine.

Portugal, officially Portuguese Republic, Portuguese República Portuguesa, is a country lying along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Once continental Europe’s most significant power, Portugal shares commonalities—geographic and cultural—with the countries of both northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Its cold, rocky northern coast and mountainous interior are sparsely settled, scenic, and wild, while the country’s south, the Algarve, is warm and fertile. The rugged Estrela Mountains (Serra da Estrela, or “Star Mountain Range”), which lie between the Tagus and Mondego rivers, contain the highest point of mainland Portugal.

Salzburg is an Austrian city with stunning views of the Eastern Alps and Salzach River. Today, nearly 200,000 people are residing in the town, making it the fourth biggest city in Austria. This small, cultural place is full of beauty from its alluring landscapes to its impressive baroque and medieval architecture. Salzburg is so appealing that it attracts around 30-million tourists each year.

Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Celts, and more have occupied Spain in the last couple of centuries. The Romans fought the Carthaginians for over 200 years and succeeded, however, the empire collapsed in the 5th century. It was ultimately conquered by Arab invaders known as Moors. Spain had flourished in art and architecture from all these periods and cultural diversity was prominent as a result of these conquests. The Golden Age lasted until the 16th century when notable art and literature periods were produced. Spain is currently a constitutional monarchy.

Starting in the 1st century B.C., the land that is now Switzerland was ruled by the Roman Empire for 500-years. It was a time of plenty with roads being built and trade coming and going throughout the land. 

Things would change around 800 A.D. when the Frankish Empire took control of Switzerland under Charlemagne. For almost 500-years, Switzerland was part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Vienna was probably a relevant trading post for the Celts when the Romans arrived around 15 BC. They set up camp and named it Vindobona, after the Celtic tribe Vinid. The settlement blossomed into a town by the 3rd and 4th centuries, and vineyards were introduced to the surrounding area.