Spearheading much in the way of Europe's international arts and culture festivals, Edinburgh, Scotland, in the summertime is a non-stop artistic experience. Consisting of the winding medieval streets, stone archways and tight "closes", or alleys, the Old Town of Edinburgh surrounds the famous Edinburgh Castle and is situated on a hilly peak of volcanic rock.
Boasting a legacy of writers from Sir Walter Scott to J.K. Rowling, the Old Town of Edinburgh features an array of shops, restaurants, ghost tours, walking tours and pubs for travelers and culture-seekers looking to experience the ancient city.
Vacationers with time to spare would do well to visit nearby Fort William, perched a few hours' train ride north into the foothills of the Western Highlands. Just outside Fort William lies the largest peak in the UK: the fierce and snow-capped Ben Nevis, where athletic travelers can spend the day traversing the sheep-infested mountain peaks before enjoying a pint and a home-cooked meal at the mountain's base.
Scotrail, Scotland's premier train company, departs to most Scottish cities daily, and can reach London in 7-8 hours.
Easily one of Western Europe's most famous (and infamous) destinations is the canal city of Amsterdam. Though overflowing with tourists during peak season, Amsterdam can be an excellent destination during the Spring and Fall months, and offers a wealth of accommodation and transportation deals for off-season travelers.
For even the most time-constrained itinerary, Amsterdam offers world treasures that cannot be overlooked. From the VanGogh Museum housing the largest collection of the artist's work in a historical display of his life and development, to the studio of the famous painter Rembrandt--possibly the most significant contributor to Netherlands art--to the haunting Anne Frank house, the cultural museums of Amsterdam leave any art and history connoisseur well-appeased.
High speed trains to and from Amsterdam lead to Brussels, London and Paris using the high-speed Eurostar, and also connect to nearby cities in Luxembourg, Germany and Denmark.
Among the most picturesque regions of all of France, the famed Loire Valley just southwest of Paris offers a landscape peppered with castles and chateaus from centuries of French nobility. From Francois I's grand chateau at Chambord (whose staircase Leonardo Da Vinci purportedly designed) to the river-combed banks of Chenonceaux, Castle of the Dames, the Loire Valley has enough treasure and architectural splendor to appeal to any vacationer.
Travelers seeking to map our their own tour of the chateaus can arrive by rail in Tours and visit the Tourism Department just outside of the train station to receive maps and lists of chateaus, as well as pamphlets on spectacles, festivals or historical reenactments occurring during their stay. Bus tours are available, as well as car rentals for the truly independent. Many of the chateaus offer nearby bed and breakfasts, or "gites," at accommodating prices.
Transportation to Tours is available from any major French city, as well as many small ones, through the national SNCF rail service.
