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According to tradition, Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians, the great explorers of antiquity. Capital of Portugal since the 13th century, Lisbon is considered today one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. A cosmopolitan city, Lisbon was in 1994 European Capital of Culture. According to the International Congress & Convention Association, Lisbon is one of the most requested cities in the world to host international events.

St. George’s Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) was built in the tenth century and was used as a royal residence since 1260, when Lisbon became the capital of the Kingdom. In the fourteenth century, King João I married Princess of England, Philppa of Lancaster, and the king dedicated the castle to St. George, (a saint who was revered in both countries). In 1499, here has been organized by Manuel I a pompous royal reception, in honor of Vasco Da Gama. In 1505, King Manuel I moved the royal residence in the Ribeira Palace; as time went on, the São Jorge castle lost its importance. Destroyed by earthquake in 1755, the castle would be strengthened only in 1910.

Belém Tower, a symbol of Portugal, with ornaments of stone, with small towers built in Moorish style, offers a charming view for tourists. Built by King Manuel I to monitor the entrance of the city’s port, the tower served as a prison and arms depot.
Ordered by the same king, Jeronimos Monastery was built in the sixteenth century, and in 1983 was included by UNESCO, with Belém Tower, on “World Heritage List”.

Other sights that cannot be missed:
• Maritime Museum (one of the most visited Portuguese museums, dedicated to all aspects of the history of navigation in Portugal);
• The National Coach Museum (it has one of the finest collections of historical carriages in the world);
• The National Tile Museum (a museum dedicated to the ceramic tile, includes tiles dating from the second half of the 15th century);
• “Campo de Santa Clara” (an imposing baroque church, whose construction began in 1682 and was completed 284 years later);
• “Largo da Sé” (Lisbon’s oldest church, built by the first Portuguese king, D. Afonso Henriques, in the twelfth century);
• Oceanarium (the largest in Europe);
• Lisbon Zoo (here live more than 2000 animals from 330 different species);
• Edward VII Park (named after King Edward of England, following his 1903 visit to Portugal);
• “Aqueduct of the Free Waters” (built in the 18th century);
• The Marquis of Pombal Square (one of Lisbon’s busiest squares, named after the prime minister responsible for the rebuilding of Lisbon following the Great Earthquake in 1755 );
• The Belém Cultural Centre (is the largest building with cultural facilities in Portugal).

Autumn has a special charm in all six states of New England. The spectacular fall foliage starts in the northern New England states (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire) typically in late September and moves down to the southern New England states (Connecticut, Massachusetts Rhode Island) around late October.

This article reveals New England’s most attractive destinations where you can admire the world’s most beautiful autumn.

1. Maine, the largest state in New England offers many options for relaxation. You will be delighted by the beauty of the landscape, whether you prefer canoeing on Moosehead Lake from Baxter National Park, whether you decided to take a tour of the Acadia National Park. If you can afford, you should also go shopping in the small town Camden, you will not regret it.

2. New Hampshire
Drive along the Kancamagus Highway, in the vast woods of the White
Mountains, to see the millions of trees that signal the autumn arrival with an explosion of red, purple and gold. Also, for a scenic tour on the M/S Mount Washington, drive less than an hour south from the White Mountains to Lake Winnipesaukee. Here you will enjoy a great view of the foliage with the mountains in the backdrop.

3. Vermont
Autumn creates a festive atmosphere in Vermont’s forests and plains. Everywhere you’ll see Covered Bridges, a unique feature of the Vermont landscape, taking you back to a distant time and place. At Morse Farm you will find out the secret of getting famous maple syrup and also enjoy free tasting and sugar house tours.

4. Massachusetts
You can go on the old Indians trails, starting with the Mohawk Trail, which was created as one of the United States’ first scenic highways; it follows much of the original Indian trail, for about 105 km through the Berkshire Mountains. Also, Old Sturbridge Village is a “must-see” destination which re-creates life in rural New England during the 1790s through 1830s.
A tip: do not miss the famous Boston!

5. Connecticut
You will be absolutely delighted to travel by Essex Steam Train, operated by the Valley Railroad Company. For both locals and travelers this is an unforgettable experience. This steam train was built in early 1920. Oh! And do not miss Waterbury! Here you will find over 50 antique stores and souvenir shops for the most discerning travelers.

6. Rhode Island
“The Ocean State” has many forested areas full of rivers and streams, romantic sunsets and beautiful vistas during foliage season. Visit Blackstone Valley to enjoy friendly activities like river walks (Blackstone River), scenic boat rides, bicycling and kayaking. Also go to the Oakland Forest and Meadow Trail, a pedestrian only trail, providing access to a unique ecosystem of old growth American Beech tree forest and meadow habitat.
Rhode Island is a place of dreams, suitable to complete your New England fall foliage tour.

So, if you want to see Eastern North America in glorious autumn colors, you should start packing because the spectacular fall foliage season begins in early September.

This major port city is situated on the Elbe River in northern Germany, being Germany’s second-largest city. Hamburg is considered a “gateway to the world” and, rightly, the “highlight of the north”, one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Here are some arguments for such attributes, and an invitation to visit this unique city.

The city can be visited on foot because the most important sights are located very close to each other, either by bus bunk or by many boats that go through the channels of Hamburg. Often crossing the city by boat makes you think of Venice; in Hamburg there are 1,000 bridges over rivers and canals.

Hamburg offers a lot to its visitors: fun, culture, excellent restaurants, great shopping, exciting nightlife and a large number of tourist attractions that make this city a popular holiday destination.

The most interesting sights in Hamburg are:  the harbor and the Historic Warehouse District (Speicherstadt), the Hamburg Rathaus and City Hall Market (Rathausmarkt), Church St. Michaelis and the Otto Von Bismarck Statue. Also the Hamburg Fish Market worth a visit.

The most famous shopping street in Hamburg is Mönckebergstrasse, named after the city’s mayor, in the early twentieth century. This magnificent boulevard is sprinkled with numerous old merchant’s villas that are now home to a wide variety of huge department stores such as Galleria, Mellin Passage, Levante Haus but Europa Passage is the largest, most modern and impressive shopping centre.