Kilometers of highways and "old lady" autobahnsEurope seems to be made for traveling by car. If you add to this that mythical "itch" in your heels, the desire to explore new countries, indulging the instinct of a pioneer, and a long vacation looming in the near future, you will get the only right way to travel for you. Not the cheapest, as some people mistakenly think, but the most exciting. An extraordinary opportunity to see cities and countries through the eyes of locals. Dream about which corners of Europe you would like to visit, and then a trip by car across Europe will clearly loom on the horizon! At this stage, especially if you are an inexperienced traveler, you cannot do without the services of a tour operator. They will help you optimize the route, handle the processing of a Schengen visa and book hotel rooms along your entire route. Losing time looking for a place to stay can spoil the entire impression of the vacation. Calculate your travel budget in advance, including the cost of paying for so-called toll roads and fines. By the way, do not forget that the technical condition of the car must comply with European standards. Of course, if you do not want the trip to end before it even begins. Do not forget about your own safety and ignore the possibility of minor injuries, so the first aid kit should be stocked with supplies. Those who suffer from chronic diseases should especially think about this. You are going abroad, and most medications are prescribed by doctors. Therefore, to avoid trouble, make sure you have the medications you need! However, enough lyrical digressions, the documents are ready, the route matches your flight of fancy, which means it's time to go on a trip! Route: Estonia (Tallinn), Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg), Denmark (Copenhagen), Germany (Bremen, Frankfurt), Switzerland (Zurich), Austria (Vienna), Czech Republic (Brno), Poland (Krakow), Lithuania (Vilnius).
Estonia
For all those living in the post-Sovietarea, of which Estonia was a part, it will be useful to visit it today. The ancient, unique culture of this country, golden sandy beaches, forested hills and the fabulous beauty of its cities have always attracted tourists. Narva, with its Narva and Ivangora fortresses, the historical province of Viruma, with its observation tower, the Valaste waterfall. The coziness of small towns breathing peace and some special charm and warmth. Tartu is a cultural center and the oldest city in the Baltics. Its university, founded in 1632, is considered one of the oldest in Europe. The ruins of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Angels and the Devil's Bridge, St. John's Church, the Tartu Observatory and the Botanical Garden - literally everything here is soaked in antiquity will give you a lot of impressions and will not leave you indifferent. And finally - fabulous Tallinn. Medieval towers, propping up the sky with their spires, weather vanes of Vyshgorod, narrow cobbled streets. Oleviste Church with its unique Gothic choirs – one of the highest in Europe, Pühavaimu with its “hanging pulpit” and magnificent clock, the Church of Our Lady of Kazan, the Church of Alexander Nevsky. The street of artisans Katarina, the “staircase street” Lühike-Jalg and the City Hall, on which the symbol of the city is located – the weather vane of Vana Toomas. The menus of hundreds of cafes and restaurants will not leave indifferent even the most capricious gourmets. So, while waiting for the ferry that will take you to Sweden, you can enjoy both the variety of local cuisine (sõir, suitsukala, vereverst, vere paköogid) and exquisite dishes from other countries of the world.
Sweden
It feels like you're visiting a capricious andthe wayward god of the sea, will visit you when a huge snow-white ferry sails along the waves of the Baltic to take you to your next destination - Sweden. Strict and lyrical Stockholm will greet you with the silhouettes of pointed towers against the sky, the familiar noise of the port and stunningly clean air, because it is not for nothing that this city is called the cleanest capital of the world. The harmonious combination of reinforced concrete buildings, park oases and the fragile beauty of ancient castles will captivate you at first sight. Stockholm is located on fifteen islands, each of which is worthy of attention and careful study. The central island of Gamlastan, where the old city is located. It is here that you can find the places where the construction of Stockholm began. The oldest building in the city, the Riddarholm Church, dating back to the 13th century, is the only surviving medieval monastery church in Sweden. It was the burial place of Swedish monarchs until 1950. The German Church or the Church of St. Gertrude, striking in its strict lines and lush beauty of interior decoration. Stockholm has a huge number of architectural monuments and museums. It seems that a lifetime is not enough to walk along all the streets of the Swedish capital, admire the Queen's Street with pairs of lions "resting" along its entire length, stone, cast iron and bronze sculptures, pleasing the eye here and there. On the embankment you will see a figure of the very god of the sea - Sjoguden with a mermaid sitting on his lap. The amazing ability of the Swedes to unobtrusively integrate modern buildings into unique architectural groups of monuments of medieval culture, without violating the general "spirit" of their capital, beckons you to linger, understand and learn this art from them. But a faithful car and smooth roads await you, leading to new impressions. Sweden is huge, and on the way to Denmark you will get to know many big and small cities, enjoy the indescribable beauty of nature. And the good thing about traveling around Europe by car is that you can stop in any town you like to take a break, immerse yourself in their unhurried pace of life, wander around rural fairs…
Denmark
Time rushes forward and with its fleetingnessforces you to leave hospitable Sweden, heading along the longest bridge in Europe (32 kilometers), the Oresund Bridge, to the next point of your journey. If you have such an opportunity, then it is worth refueling, as they say, "for future use", gasoline in Sweden is cheaper than in Denmark. So, having paid forty euros, and having thoroughly enjoyed the views of the Oresund Strait from the car window, welcome to Denmark. After Lindgren's Sweden with its Pippi house and the roof on which the very same Carlson lives, Anderson's Denmark will become a continuation of the fairy tale. How else can you say about a city where the number of attractions per square meter of the central square exceeds all acceptable "norms". The City Hall building is equipped with a rather original thermometer, on which in bad weather a girl appears with an umbrella in her hands, and on sunny days - the same girl, but on a bicycle. By the way, Copenhagen is considered a city of cyclists, and the City Hall Square is the longest and oldest pedestrian area in Europe. In Copenhagen you will not find skyscrapers and grandiose urban buildings. "Gingerbread" houses with tiled roofs, cobblestone squares, as if descended from the pages of Andersen's fairy tales. It seems that around the next corner, wrapped in a thin shawl, "the little match girl" is standing, and from the windows of houses standing opposite each other, the hands of Kai and Gerda will stretch out to interlace their fingers over the heads of passers-by. The Little Mermaid, as a symbol of self-sacrifice in the name of love, froze on her stone. The most colorful district of Copenhagen - the port of Nyhavn with its multi-colored houses will lift your spirits even on the most gloomy day. The Danes are a very smiling people. And, looking at their warm smiles and every now and then getting into the crowd of people singing and playing in the squares, you can doubt that these are the descendants of those very warlike Vikings. Amalienborg Palace is the residence of the royal family and deserves special attention (this is where the naked king began his march). Four identical palaces form an octagonal square, at midday crowds of tourists flock here to admire the changing of the royal guard. And if you are lucky and the queen is in residence at that moment, the changing of the guard will take place according to a solemn ceremony. The famous Royal Library is considered the oldest in Scandinavia, it contains two and a half million volumes. While in Denmark, it is impossible not to visit Frederiksborg Castle, it is located on three islands in the middle of a lake and amazes with the interior decoration of its halls, the Throne and the Knight's. It is a pity to part with gingerbread Denmark, but it is time to hit the road. In addition, the car in this oasis for pedestrians and cyclists has stood idle.
Germany
A paradise for motorists.Only on the roads of Germany will you truly appreciate the charm of traveling around Europe by car. Most of the highways are toll roads, but the speed, well-organized traffic and comfort are worth paying for. Miles of asphalt roads fly unnoticed from under the wheels, the speedometer counts the distance to the next point, and it's a fairytale city again.
- Bremen - "Northern Rome"
A city with a centuries-old history, largea tourist center, an important economic hub and ... the place where the Bremen Town Musicians lived. It is not for nothing that this city is called the "Rome of the North", emphasizing its cultural and economic importance. Every third Mercedes in the world is produced in Bremen, and large shipyards are also located here. And the Market Square, Böttcherstrasse, the Bremen Art Hall, the Church of Our Beloved Women and St. Peter's Cathedral are part of the cultural heritage of Europe. Cozy streets, "toy" houses, organ grinders and the statue of the knight Roland, guarding Bremen, the Secret Street and the "Fountain of the Seven Sloths", a monument to the Bremen Town Musicians and an endless number of stone and cast iron figures, placed here and there around the city. It is like a step into childhood, where all fairy tales ended with their "...And they lived happily ever after...", and each new day promised unforgettable adventures. Bremen's cozy cafes and restaurants invite you to have a leisurely chat. And if you decide to spend a few days here, you can treat yourself to a glass of real German beer. Germany is rich in contrasts, and the next city along the route is the complete opposite of fairytale Bremen. But don't forget that in Europe, particularly in Germany, the fine for drunk driving is five hundred euros. And in the event of an accident, you risk going to jail and losing your license. If we talk about the congestion on the highways leading to Frankfurt am Main, it should be noted that you are unlikely to have encountered a greater traffic flow along the entire route. But the traffic is organized so competently and thought out to the smallest detail that this does not affect the speed of progress to the destination. However, in Frankfurt itself it is still better to use public transport. Fortunately, there is no shortage of it. And in the central part of the city, it is more practical to travel by metro. You can leave your car in the paid parking lot of the hotel where you have booked your rooms.
- Frankfurt: from Gothic to skyscrapers hand
A city whose history dates back to the times of the HolyThe Roman Empire, which survived the occupation of Napoleon's troops and became the main target for the Allied bombing during the Second World War, has remained the most important financial and transport center of Germany for centuries. The historical part of Frankfurt was badly damaged during the Second World War. And only part of the buildings were restored. The famous Frankfurt Cathedral of St. Bartholomew - almost until the end of the 17th century, emperors were crowned here. St. Paul's Church - the meeting place of the first parliament of Germany. The Old Opera House is the main opera hall of Germany. The largest Lutheran church - St. Catherine's Church, the Hauptwache. The Main Embankment, which offers a view of the historical part of the city and the skyscrapers rising behind it. It seems that if you stretch out, you can touch the spire of St. Bartholomew's Cathedral with one hand, and with the other, reach the roof of the Commerzbank Turm supporting the clouds. On the opposite bank of the Main, there is a quarter of museums. Municipal sculpture museum, museum of applied arts, museum of German architecture. Zall is the longest street in Frankfurt's shopping area, and in the pre-Christmas days it becomes the venue for one of Germany's main Christmas markets. Getting to know Frankfurt would be incomplete without visiting a restaurant with traditional cuisine. Famous apple cider, "hand-made" cheese with caraway seeds, Frankfurt sausages and, of course, beer. As the classic wrote, "follow me, my reader..." Now it's time for you to say goodbye to Frankfurt. Forward to reliable Switzerland.
Switzerland
Most of Switzerland is mountainous, and your enginethe car will have to work hard on this section of the route, so it is best to carry out a small technical inspection in advance and not allow the engine to overheat. Car repairs in Switzerland can "cost" you a pretty penny. Switzerland is a beautiful country, and it is worthy of a separate trip. What is the view from the car window worth! And the ski resorts, the Rhine Falls! Each city in this country is worthy of a separate mention. But the next point of this trip around Europe by car was Zurich. Situated on the shore of Lake Zurich, this city instantly captivates with its beauty. And it does not matter that this is the fourth financial center in the world, that the most luxurious stores in Europe are located here, that the first mention of the city dates back to the end of the 2nd century. Statistics and dry official historical facts are not the language in which to talk about Zurich. After crossing the Rudolf Brunn Bridge, you will find yourself in the oldest and most beautiful quarter of the city - Schipfe. It stretches out at the foot of the Lidenhove hill – the place where Zurich began. Winding streets, rough stonework underfoot, a variety of handicrafts in craft shops immerse you in the romantic atmosphere of the medieval past. St. Peter's Church. The clock on its tower has been counting the minutes since the 8th century, and if you close your eyes, it seems that you can hear the rustle of time crumbling to the foot of the tower. The Fraumunster Church, elegant and beautiful, towering with a green spire over the Munsterhof square. The interior of the church, which was once a popular women's abbey, is decorated with five stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. A wonderful walk along the embankment to Lake Zurich will be, where you can sit on the shore in a cozy cafe and drink delicious beer. Between the Grossmünster, a monastery with a beautiful view of the city from its tower, and the Fraumünster, there is a church on the water – the Wasserkirche. It is built on a small island called Limat. Zurich is so attractive that you want to return to this city more than once. And having made this promise to yourself, you can move on. And again, the endless flickering of beautiful landscapes outside the window. The engine, sometimes straining, sometimes cheerfully and happily, rumbles under the hood of the car, serpentines of mountain roads, tunnels with artificial lighting, corridors of the autobahns... And in your soul, the waltzes of Strauss are already sounding. And this is no coincidence, the next stop is Vienna.
Austria
A city at the foot of the Alps, home to famouscomposers – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss, writer Stefan Zweig and the founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud. When you arrive in Vienna, park your car in the hotel parking lot and order a coffee at the nearest coffee shop. This is exactly how, having drunk your coffee and gained strength, you should start getting to know this city. It is foolish to hope that one day will be enough to see all its sights, the historical heritage of the "Imperial City" is too great. St. Stephen's Cathedral - the stronghold of the Habsburg dynasty, the Plague Column, the Vienna Opera... The Old Town of Vienna, Schönburn, the precious pearl of the Austrian capital, dazzling with its splendor and emerald frame of well-kept gardens and parks. Hofburg is the imperial palace, which has become a symbol of national heritage. The Neptune Fountain, the Hundertwasserhaus, which fits so well into the city's architecture. This is only a small part of what you can and should see in Vienna. Try, like Strauss, to compose a waltz about your Vienna. Weave into it all the beauty of the Belvedere Palace, its pavilions and works of art that make up the interior decoration. Mix it with the taste of real Viennese coffee, the smiles of locals and the coziness of street cafes, so that this music accompanies you, softening the taste of parting with Vienna.
Czech Republic
The road continues to delight with picturesque viewssmall towns, cozy houses and well-kept fields and groves floating by, a smooth canvas of high-speed highways. Kilometers spread out under the wheels, driving the car to the border and the Czech city of Brno. Oddly enough, but in Europe Brno is known primarily for its international fireworks parade "Ignes Brunensis". From June to September, here, in the second largest city of the Czech Republic, folklore festivals and theatrical festivals are held, where famous plays by classics of world literature and theatrical battle scenes from the Middle Ages are performed. These days the city resembles Venice during the carnival. A colorful night show, fiery flowers blooming in the sky, and during the day, balloons of all possible colors and sizes rise into the sky. Brno can easily compete with any city in Europe both in the number of unique medieval architectural ensembles and in the beauty and diversity of modern buildings. And in some ways it can even surpass them. The Old Town Hall, the Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Spielberg Castle, shrouded in the mysterious veil of terrible legends. But the main attraction of Brno is the famous caves of the Moravian Karst - works of man-made architecture, where time and natural phenomena became the architect. Underground rivers and lakes, caves with amazing stalactites, the likes of which are not found in central Europe. Under the arches of this natural "temple" you can see time in cross-section and realize the value of every moment of life. But no matter how beautiful Brno is, the next point of the journey already calls for new impressions.
Poland
As sad as it may sound, the stateroads in Poland leave much to be desired. Endless traffic lights and pedestrian crossings do not allow you to develop a normal speed. Krakow is one of those cities that with every stone, every building, "speak" of solidity, the ability to withstand any adversity, without lowering your head. And all this despite the seeming fragility of ancient castles and palaces. Apparently, something remained in the air from the time of Prince Krak, who defeated the dragon, or the Austrian rule, when, despite everything, Krakow remained a free city. Some mystical ability to remain free despite the tricks of the enemy. Some architectural monuments of Krakow are a tribute to the love of freedom and selflessness of the city's residents. For example, a trumpeter from the tower of the Maritsky Church, warning the city about the attack of the Tatar cavalry. To this day, the alarm signal, the heynal, sounds from the tower and ends on the same note on which the trumpeter fell silent, pierced by an arrow. Or the two-hundred-meter wall of Wawel Castle, strewn with plaques with the names of 632 citizens who raised money to buy Wawel from the Austrian government and restore it. Wawel is a special place in general, it is also called one of the chakras of the earth, which attracts creative people. It is here that the Jagiellonian Academy is located - one of the largest scientific centers in Europe. By the way, Nikolai Copernicus once taught within these walls. Krakow has one of the best collections of paintings in the world. The building of the former arsenal now houses the Czartoryski Museum, the true treasures of whose gallery are: "Lady with an Ermine" - da Vinci, "Portrait of the Good Samaritan" - Rembrandt. And the third painting, "Portrait of a Young Man" by Raphael, disappeared without a trace during the Second World War. Krakow can enchant you for a long time with the wealth of architectural monuments, works of art and the strength of the spirit of its people. But, unfortunately, the vacation time is limited, and the final stage of an exciting car trip around Europe is still ahead.
Lithuania
It turns out that the saying about roads is relevant not onlyonly for Russia, such terrible roads as in Lithuania, you have not encountered along the entire route. Even Polish roads seem quite decent. And at a speed of no more than 90 km / h and have to drive the last section of the way. Vilnius greets visitors with the usual for the Baltic countries narrow streets, paved with stone, red tiled roofs, ancient churches and chapels. But there is something that makes this city special - the Gates of Dawn. The humble face of the Mother of God looks at your back when you pass through the gates into the old city. And here the real miracles begin. A mysterious ritual that makes you fall in love with Vilnius with all your heart. Not just looking at the most valuable examples of medieval art and architecture, but "recognizing" every feature of the Church of St. Anne and "hearing" the stories told by the stones of the Cathedral Square. This silent dialogue, this inexplicable process of recognition, makes your head spin, as if you had returned home after many years of absence. The Castle Street leads you further, to the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislav, past the Hill of the Three Crosses and the Tower of Gidemines. And only when you leave the old town, you remember that the almost 4,500-kilometer journey through Europe has come to an end. It is time to return home, having enough impressions to last for a couple of volumes of War and Peace, or at least until your next vacation. We recommend reading:
