In Greek mythology, Europa was a princess. Later the word Europa stood for Greece and its meaning was extended to lands to the north.

Europe has a rich cultural history, starting as far back as the Palaeolithic.

At A La Carte Europe Tours, we service only the countries of Europe that we know very well, and where we speak the local languages. Here is a brief introduction to each of them, in alphabetical order.

Austria

Area: 32,375 square miles (smaller than Maine). Population: 8,500,000 (Vienna, 1,600,000; Salzburg, 510,000; Innsbruck, 120,000). Language: German.

As many European cities, Salzburg is too divided by a river called the Salzach. The towns and river got their names from the regions salt mines, which brought Salzburg fame and fortune and are now popular attractions. Most of the attractions are on the left bank of the Salzach River, in the Altstadt (Old City). Much of the Altstadt is pedestrian friendly, including "Getreidegasse" with its many shops, Domplatz (Cathedral Square), and Mozartplatz (Mozart Square). In the Altstadt you will find such attractions as: Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart's Birthplace), the Festival House Complex, the Dom (Cathedral), the Catacombs of St. Peter, the "Haus der Natur" (Museum of Natural History), and we can't forget Salzburg's landmark, the Hohensalzburg; it is this fortress, towering above the Altstadt on a sheer cliff, that makes Salzburg so beautiful, even from afar. At night Salzburg is lit up, making a walk along the Salzach River one of the most romantic in Austria.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all customizable to your requirements) including Austria: Austria Czech Republic, Castles, Germany Austria, Germany Plzen Austria, Italy Austria, Continental Fortresses, Capitals of Europe, 10 Countries in 20 days, Cities & Countryside North/South, Central Europe Tour, Europe fortresses tour, Mediterranean to Baltic Sea Tour and the Slovenia-Austria Tour.

Belgium

Area: 11,800 square miles (the size of Maryland). Population: 10,500,000 (Brussels, 1,000,000; Antwerp, 500,000; Ghent, 240,000; Liege, 200,000). Languages: Dutch, French, German.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium. The main square here is called "Grand Place". It is the centre of Brussels and a spectacle in its own right. It is constantly bubbling, and attracts a crowd of visitors from all around the world. You will be drawn in by its atmosphere. The Grand-Place has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. While it is beautiful at any time of the day, try to come here early on a summer's morning, when the sun caresses the paving stones, terraces, windows and façades. In the early evening, the illuminations make the gilding shine while bringing the buildings out in stark shape.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all customizable to your special interests) including Belgium: France Belgium, Germany Netherlands Belgium, London Paris Brussels, North West of Europe, Capitals of Europe, 10 Countries in 20 days, and the Cities & Countryside North Tour.

Czech Republic

30,500 square miles (about the size of South Carolina). Population: 10,500,000 (Prague, 1,250,000; Brno, 400,000). Language: Czech.

Prague was originally made up of four separate areas: the Old Town (Stare Mesto) and George Quarter, the Lesser Town (Mala Strana), the New Town (Nove Mesto) and the Castle District (Hradcany), which looms protectively over the city. According to the 'Guinness Book of Records', Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad) is the largest ancient castle in the world. Founded in the 9th century, the complex of buildings now occupies 18 acres. The St Vitius Cathedral is one of four cathedrals in the country and, because many Czech rulers are buried here, it is the most important. It's a labyrinthine symbol of Gothic architecture, and represents a time when Prague was very affluent, as well as being the heavily bejewelled burial place of Good King Wenceslas.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all customizable to your needs) including the Czech Republic: Austria Czech Republic, Castles, Germany Plzen Austria, Capitals of Europe, Central Europe Tour, Eastern European Fortresses, Mediterranean to Baltic Sea and the World War 2 Tour.

France

The romance of France lies not only in its remarkable cultural and architectural heritage, enviable cuisine and world- renowned wines, but in its hidden treasures. The 22 provinces offer a variety of byways, revealing here a charming town with a lively food fair or traditional crafts, there an ancient village notable for a passionate artist or a famous writer.

211,000 square miles (almost the size of Texas). Population: 60,000,000 (Paris, 2,200,000; Marseille, 900,000; Lyon, 420,000; Nice, 340,000). Language: French.

In Paris, the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) was rebuilt by Ballu and Deperthes between 1874 and 1882 in the neo-Renaissance style. The central part of the façade reproduces the one designed by Boccador in 1533; 146 statues stand in the niches on all four of its sides. The main stairwell leads to the Banqueting Hall and to the reception halls whose decor is a mixture between the Renaissance and Belle Epoque styles. Jean-Paul Laurens and Puvis de Chavannes shared the painting. The Hotel de Ville is located on the Hotel de Ville square. This square's former name, Place de Grève (strike), gave rise the expression "to strike" (faire grève): unemployed workers in fact had the custom of meeting there in the Middle Ages. A place for executions under the Ancien Régime with different procedures (depending on your status or the nature of your crime you were hung, beheaded, put on the wheel, burnt or drawn and quartered), today it is covered with granite slabs and a door in the middle, the side aisle of Paris.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all customizable to your demands) including France: Alsace and Black Forest, England Normandy, France Belgium, France Italy, London Paris Brussels, Wine South, Continental Fortresses, Capitals of Europe, 10 Countries in 20 days, Cities & Countryside North/South, Cities & Countryside South, Cities Countryside North, Europe fortresses tour, Prehistoric Europe and the WW2 Tour.

Alternatively, if you are considering a private tour only within France, we recommend our sister company A La Carte France Tours based in the South of France.

Germany

138,000 square miles (slightly smaller than Montana). Population: 85,000,000 (Berlin, 3,500,000; Hamburg, 1,700,000; Munich, 1,300,000; Cologne, 1,000,000). Language: German. Once, the kingdom of Bavaria was among the most powerful in Europe. Its duke challenged the power of Charles the Great. Today, "Bayern," as it is called in the native German, is the largest of Germany's federal states. It is here where one finds one of Germany's most populated cities - Munich (München in German), the "secret capital of Germany." The most famous of all German festivals, Oktoberfest, is held annually in München. The customs and native dress of the Bavarians have come to be seen as those of the "typical German." In the south of the state are the Bavarian Alps, the only portion of the great mountain range which falls inside of Germany's borders. Neuschwanstein is also found in Bayern, the fairy- tale castle of the insane King Ludwig II which served as the model for Snow White's castle at Walt Disney World. But Bavaria also has much more forbidding sites, such as Nuremberg, a city with more ties, perhaps, to the Third Reich than any other. It was here that the Nazi party truly had its start with its convention in 1933, and it was here, after the war, where the famous "Nuremberg Trials" were held to try the Nazis for war crimes.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all adaptable to your needs) including Germany: Alsace and Black Forest, Castles, Germany Austria, Germany Netherlands Belgium, Germany Plzen Austria, Roman Empire, North West of Europe, Continental Fortresses, Capitals of Europe, 10 Countries in 20 days, Cities Countryside North/South, Cities Countryside North, Central Europe Tour, Europe fortresses tour, Wine North Tour, Eastern European Fortresses and the Second World War tour.

Great Britain

94,250 square miles (twice the size of New York State). Population: 60,000,000 (London, 7,800,000; Birmingham, 2,300,000; Manchester, 2,300,000; Glasgow, 700,000). Languages: English, Welsh and Scots Gaelic.

Your tour may take you to Stonehenge. Radio-carbon dating has shown that the building of Stonehenge began in 2950 BC and finished in 1500 BC. In the context of other similar engineering feats, the Great Pyramid of Egypt was built around 2500 BC, the Great Wall of China around 1000 BC, the Aztec constructions of Mexico between 500 and 1000 AD and the figures on Easter Island between 400 and 1200 AD.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all custom made to your specifications) including Great Britain: England Normandy, London Paris Brussels, North West of Europe, Capitals of Europe, 10 Countries in 20 days, Cities Countryside North, Europe fortresses tour and Prehistoric Europe.

Holland

Area: 14,000 square miles (the size of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined). Population: 17,000,000 (Amsterdam, 730,000; Rotterdam, 600,000). Language: Dutch.

The old city of Amsterdam, contained by three ring canals, arose around Dam Square and the Amstel River cuts through it. All the main monuments and museums are here so everything is handy. A canal cruise is a must to help you get your bearings and a cruise can be picked up easily in front of Centraal Station. Canals, cycles and chaos Watch out for the local traffic - the city is home to Europe's highest concentration of bicycles and with the trams and cars, the streets can be chaotic.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all custom made according to your special interests) including Holland: Germany Netherlands Belgium and the Capitals of Europe Tour.

Italy

Area: 116,000 square miles (slightly larger than Arizona). Population: 58,000,000 (Rome, 2,900,000; Milan, 1,600,000; Naples, 1,200,000). Language: Italian.

Your tour may take you to the Amalfi Coast. When Positano took off in the early 1950's as the place to be seen, it was largely down to an American writer who chanced upon it in the summer of 1953. In the words of John Steinbeck, 'Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you're there but becomes beckoningly real after you have gone'. Amalfi is very smart, lots of little cafés, boutiques and restaurants. One of the first things that strikes you about Positano is the buildings, which sit quite literally on the cliff edge. The blue highway south from Naples spirals its way down to the very heart and namesake of the Amalfi coast. Half an hour away from Positano you can find Amalfi. The most romantic time to be here is the end of summer. If August is the tourist season, then September is definitely the wedding season. And it's important to do it in style.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itineraries (all custom made to your exact specifications) including Italy: France Italy, Italy Austria, Roman Empire, Wine South, Continental Fortresses, Capitals of Europe, 10 Countries in 20 days, Cities Countryside North/South, Cities Countryside South, Europe fortresses tour, Mediterranean to Baltic Sea and the Slovenia Italy Tour.

Alternatively, if you are considering a private tour only within Italy, we recommend our sister company A La Carte Italy Tours based in Italy.

Luxembourg

Area: 1,000 square miles (smaller than Rhode Island). Population: 430,000 (Luxembourg City, 120,000). Language: Luxembourgish, French, German.

Near Luxembourg, the hilltop St Donat's Church is crowned by a belvedere that provides a view of the town's slate roofs, St Martin's Church and a panoramic view of parts of Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests the following tour itinerary including Luxembourg: 10 Countries in 20 days.

Monaco

Area: less than 1 square mile (approximately the size of New York's Central Park). Population: 32,000. Languages: French, Monegasque, Italian.

Monte-Carlo, with its casino, its palaces and its luxurious gardens, is a symbol of gambling and high life. Developed out of nothing in the last third of the 19C by the Bains de Mer Company, Monte-Carlo is today a tight packed haven of rich villas and buildings. To the east, Monte Carlo is extended with its resorts and artificial beaches of Larvotto, and, beyond the border by the old Monte-Carlo Beach buildings.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests a tour itinerary including Monaco: France Italy, Continental Fortresses, 10 Countries in 20 days, Cities Countryside North/South, Cities Countryside South and the Europe fortresses tour.

Poland

With its Old World riches - from traditional village life to priceless art in ancient castles - Poland is everyone's vacation country.

Area: 121,000 square miles (about the size of New Mexico). Population: 39,000,000 (Warsaw, 1,700,000; Lodz, 850,000; Krakow, 740,000). Language: Polish.

At the crossing point of two main streets in the modern town stands this Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from Stalin that was erected between 1952 and 1955. Its construction required the demolition of several of the town's districts and this was seen as a sign of Soviet oppression. A huge 10-pillared portico with statues of the Russian writer Pushkin and the Polish poet Mickiewicz on either side of the façade. Today the building contains 4 theatres, 3 cinemas, an immense meeting hall, a sports centre for young people, the Academy of Sciences, part of the University and a Technology museum. At the feet of this Palace, there is a bustling daily market. Round about, many modern buildings and tower blocks, housing big stores and hotels, add to the modern appearance of this district and make it the true commercial artery of the modern town.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests a tour itinerary including Poland: Eastern European Fortresses, Mediterranean to Baltic Sea and the 2nd World War tour.

Slovenia

This green country tucked between the Alps and the Adriatic has everything from farm holidays and winter sports to charming cities with busy cultural calendars. Visitors are received as guests, and leave as friends.

Area: 8,000 square miles (about the size of New Jersey). Population: 2,020,000 (Ljubljana, 320,000; Maribor, 110,000). Language: Slovene.

Slovenia has an image problem - it's easily confused with Slovakia and any number of other former communist countries, many of which suffer from an unfair reputation of being grey and dull. You'll find Slovenia between Vienna and Venice - it's only half the size of Switzerland, but for a tiny country it punches well above its weight in terms of what it has to offer tourists. With Italy to the west, Austria to the north and Croatia to the south, this tiny country has huge variety from alpine peaks to the beach resorts of the Adriatic, the biggest of which is Portoroz. There's only 47 kilometres of coastline in Slovenia, so every last metre of it is precious. The beach area around Portoroz is very popular. As well as leisure, the water also offers up something else - salt.

A La Carte Europe Tours suggests a tour itinerary including Slovenia: Slovenia-Italy or our Slovenia-Austria tour.

Switzerland

16,000 square miles (twice the size of New Jersey). Population: 7,250,000 (Zurich, 350,000; Basel, 175,000; Geneva, 175,000). Language: German, French, Italian and Romansh.

The Alpine country of Switzerland is made up of 23 cantons (three of which are subdivided into half cantons). The nation has three main geographical regions. The first, and most important, is the Alpine range. The Alps cover more thn two thirds of the country's area, and are made up of four different ranges - the Berbese, the Pennine, the Lepontine, and the Rhaetian alps. The mountain passes (and its policy of neutrality) have made Switzerland a trading center, and its mountains - including the Matterhorn and the Jungfrau - have made it a favorite vacation spot, particularly among skiers. The second geographical region is the Jura, a smaller range of mountains running along the French-Swiss border. The final region is the Swiss Plateau, a hilly region lying between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. Lakes Geneva and Constance mark its beginning and end, and most of Switzerland's agricultural and industrial activities are concentrated on the plateau.