Travel to Germany

If you love traveling and like discover exciting, fun-filled miraculous sites, Europe is the best place to trip. Europe has ‘n' number of tourist attractions and in fact a great place for a vacation. The potential tourist attractions offer you relaxing getaway as well as activity-filled tour and you will get to see a massive amount of things to do and see. Europe can be considered as the World's best travel destination where each town and city can tell the tale of astounding history across Europe. Spain, Italy, United Kingdom Germany, Greece and France have a hoard of revered ruins as displayed in the sites and museums, castles of medieval period and magnificent cathedrals that draw the attention of many to the country.

One of the top tourist attractions in Europe is Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands visited by millions of visitors. The planned city was the centre of world economy in the 17th century and you will find wonderful fusion of historical with contemporary architecture here. Some of the Amsterdam Tourist Attractions are Oude Lark, a striking old church with octagonal bell tower of gothic renaissance style, Amsterdam canals for which the city was called the Venice of north, the Manger Burg, a beautiful bridge, connecting the river Austell banks, Rembradtplein, well known squares of the Amsterdam and is the hub of pubs, hotels and cafes, Hurts Botanies, the city botanical garden, Leidseplein, popularly known for nightlife, Artist zoo, the Dam Square and the Vondelpark.

Poland, located in the centre of East Europe, is loaded with dark history and fascinating culture. The city of Krakow is yet another tourist attraction of Europe that describes the culture and history of Poland. The tourist attractions of Krakow are Wawel and Cathedral Castle, the Wieliczka Salt Mines, the Auschwitz-Burkina Concentration Camps, Lazienki Park and Palace and the cosmopolitan Wroclaw also called the Venice of Poland.

Berlin, the capital of Germany is yet another tourist attraction of Europe. Located on the bank of the River Spree, the city has numerous ineffaceable mark of history. The famous tourist attractions of the city are Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Mite, the Reichstag, and the Berlin TV Tower or the Fernsehturm Television Tower, Potsdam Platz, the revolving restaurant, Alexanderplatz, a famous square of Berlin and much more.

Budapest is another beautiful city of Europe and the capital of Hungary. With mesmerizing history the city is now known as the City of Spas having hundred natural thermal springs around the city. The two UNESCO World Heritage sites are situated in Budapest know as the Buda Castle Quarter.

Venice is popular tourist attraction of Europe located in Italy. Venice is the city of canals and has a number of tourist attractions namely the Basilica di San Marco, the Piazza San Marco, the Gondola Rides and the Grand Canal.

Vienna, the cultural capital of Europe is a popular tourist destination of Austria. The popular tourist attraction of the city are imperial squares, the Ruprechtskirche, Schönbrunn Palace, the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Stephen's Cathedral and more.

The Eiffel Tower located in Paris and the Cathedral Notre-Dame is the well known tourist attraction of France.

The Acropolis is an important historical site in Athens, Greece that attracts thousands of tourists in Europe. The sites like Parthenon built in 5th Century BC highlights ruins and ancient buildings are popular tourist attraction.

In Italy, the popular tourist attraction Roman Coliseum and an interesting place in Europe. This ancient architecture was a huge amphitheater that could accommodate more than 50,000 people and a remarkable site of the world.

In England, the most important tourist attractions are Tower Bridge, connecting the banks of River Thames in London, the Buckingham Palace, the residence of Queen of England and the Big Ben, the largest turret clock tower of the World.

Last but not the least, the city of Barcelona in Spain has one of the most magnificent tourist attractions of Europe that is the La Sagrada Familia. It is the incomplete church of the well known architect Antoni Gaudi. The towers and architecture are really amazing and outstanding place to trip during your vacation in Europe.

Toasting is the strongest and most formal in Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern European countries. In France, Italy and Spain the toast is even given German names. In Spain and Italy, "to toast" is called "brindar" and came from the German meaning "ich bring dir's" which means "I bring it to you". In France they say "trinquer" which is from the German word "trinken" (to drink). And just incase you are wondering where the English phrase "toast" came from, it came from Britain. 

It used to be an ancient custom from the Eucharistic religious events to pass a bowl or "loving cup" (a cup you share) around which had a piece of sweetened toast floating on top. The host was always the last one to drink from the cup and also required to eat the toast. This was done in honor of the guests. A loving cup is a cup that is shared, and that is exactly what a Bridal Cup is. Bridal Cups started in Nuernberg, Germany and was a handcrafted pewter vessel in the shape of a woman with drinking cups on both ends. Both the bride and groom were able to toast their wedding and drink at the same time from the same cup. 

In order to bring many years of good luck to their marriage the couple drinks from this cup without spilling a single drop. Every year thereafter, on their anniversary, they continue to toast with this special cup. The tradition started centuries ago in Nuernberg, Germany during the days when marriages were pre-arranged. The historical cup was brought to life from an angry wealthy nobleman's challenge to a young goldsmith. 

If he could create such an item, he would allow the goldsmith to marry his daughter. To this day, the cup is still used for weddings and anniversary toasts and becoming more and more popular in the United States. The story is interesting and heartwarming. It most definitely adds a unique romantic touch to any wedding toast.

The story goes as follows:

Centuries ago, in old Nuernberg, the nobel mistress Kunigunde fell in love with a young and ambitious goldsmith. Although Kunigunde's wealthy father (a powerful nobleman) did not approve of this pair, it was clear that she only wanted the goldsmith to be her husband as she refused many titled and rich suitors who asked for her hand in marriage. Her father became so enraged that he had the young goldsmith thrown into the darkest dungeon. Not even his daughter's bitter tears would change her father's mind. 

To her father's dismay, imprisoning the young man did not end his daughter's love for the goldsmith. Instead, he could only watch as his daughter grew paler and paler as a result of the separation from her true love. The wealthy nobleman reluctantly made the following proposal: He told his daughter, "If your goldsmith can make a chalice from which two people can drink at the same time without spilling one single drop, I will free him and you shall become his bride".

Of course he was certain nobody could perform such a task...

Inspired by love and with skillful hands, the young goldsmith created a masterpiece. He sculpted a girl with a smile as beautiful as his own true love's. Her skirt was hollowed to serve as a cup. Her raised arms held a bucket that swivels so that it could be filled and then swung towards a second drinker. The challenge was met. The goldsmith and the nobleman's daughter joined hands in marriage and with the bridal cup set forth a romantic and memorable tradition as charming today as it was originally hundreds of years ago.

To this day and to many couples the chalice remains a symbol. Love, faithfulness and good luck await the couple who drink from this cup.