Be inspired by Europe’s history & culture

Bamberg has been called “Franconian Rome” because it has seven hills, each crowned by a church, and is also known as “Little Venice” because of its canals. This pastoral Bavarian town in Upper Franconia is located on both sides of the Regnitz River, a tributary of the Main.

A distinctive city

The oldest part of the city is the Episcopal town on the west bank, where you will find the Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral with its four towers, and the hilltop Benedictine abbey of Michaelsburg, which was a functioning abbey from 1009 to 1803.

Bamberg’s Town Hall

In the 14th century, the citizens of Bamberg wanted to build a city hall, but the bishop would not supply any land. So, the rathaus, or town hall, was built on a manmade island and double-arched bridge in the Regnitz. This building served both sides of the town for 350 years until its replacement by the neues rathaus, or new town hall, in 1736. Today, Bamberg’s new town hall offers excellent views of the city and the colorful Little Venice area with its quaint fishermen’s cottages.

Smoke-flavored beer

Should you wish to toast to Bamberg’s seven hills, its canals or its town halls, raise a glass of rauchbier, the beloved smoked beer for which Bamberg is known. You can easily find it at one of the town's nine breweries.

Few things are as comforting as a piping-hot meal of fondue. This deceptively simple dish of cubed bread dipped in warm, melted cheese was declared the national dish of Switzerland during the 1930s. In the years since, this culinary delight has grown from humble entrée to worldwide indulgence.

The origins of fondue can be traced to 18th-century Switzerland, when families in Alpine farm villages invented the dish to use up their stale bread, excess cheese and day-old wine. Dipping the hardened bread into the cheese made it soft and delicious once more, while heating the wine along with the cheese enhanced the flavors of both ingredients. From these unassuming origins grew a beloved winter tradition.

Throughout Switzerland, various regions boast their own favored fondue iterations. In Valais, for example, Gruyère is often mixed with raclette, whereas those in Bern prefer to blend their Gruyère with Emmental (i.e., what most Westerners call “Swiss cheese”). No matter how it is prepared, you are sure to enjoy the delicious, indulgent flavors of this classically Swiss combination.

Here is a scenario that might be familiar to many a traveler in Spain. Having spent the morning exploring some charming village, you decide around noon that a cool glass of sangria and a savory bocadillo sandwich may be just what you need. But none of the restaurants seem to be open. It might occur to you that things have shut down for the siesta, the traditional afternoon nap that is still observed in many parts of Spain. But, that would not be technically correct.

Most restaurants in Spain don’t open until about 2:00 PM, when businesses close for the long midday break called mediodía (midday). Spaniards usually have a light breakfast followed by a late-morning snack called an almuerzo. Around 2:00 PM comes la comida, the largest meal of the day, which can be a three-course social affair, perhaps with wine. The actual napping, the siesta, comes after this heavy meal and lasts for only about 15 minutes. Workers may return to work after their comida or siesta and finish by 8:00 PM. They may then visit a tapas bar for drinks and snacks before the last meal of the day, the light supper called la cena, served between 9:00 and 11:00 PM.

While many foreigners have uncharitably labeled the Spanish as “lazy” because of their siestas, Spaniards actually work longer hours than their European counterparts and get less sleep. In fact, midday naps have been a part of many cultures for thousands of years, particularly those in warmer climates where the populace needed rest and shelter from the noontime sun. Yet, despite ample scientific evidence that napping is good for productivity, cardiac health and emotional well-being, the siesta tradition could soon be put to permanent rest.

The Normandy beaches, famously etched into history on June 6, 1944, during the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France, hold a unique place in the hearts and minds of visitors today. Walking along the revered shores of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, the remnants of D-Day serve as a powerful testament to the bravery and sacrifice of countless soldiers.

Along the beaches are poignant reminders of the monumental events that unfolded here. Among the most striking are the rusted remains of German bunkers, guns still aimed at the empty beaches and the abandoned Mulberry Harbor. A visit to these sobering sites offers travelers a rare opportunity to experience history on such a visceral level.

A short distance from the beaches, you will find the church of Sainte-Mère-Église, which served as a makeshift field hospital during the invasion. This is also where American paratrooper John Steele’s parachute was famously caught on the church’s steeple, making it a special place to remember the brave paratroopers of the Allied forces. Today, the D-Day beaches remain a storied landmark where one can reflect on the impact of this historic event on the course of world history.

The Dutch Golden Age (17th century) was a prodigious period for Dutch trade, science and the emergence of noteworthy artists who would come to be known as the Dutch Masters. Meet five of them below and find out where you can see artwork from this celebrated era while you are visiting The Netherlands.

• Frans Hals (1583–1666) – Known as Hals the Elder, he is known for his group portraiture and painterly brushwork that helped usher in the more dynamic and lifelike Golden Age painting style.
• Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) – Considered by many to be the most important painter in Dutch history, Rembrandt produced an extraordinary body of work, including both paintings and etchings. He focused on Biblical and historical subjects and created many portraits and self‑portraits.
• Aelbert Cuyp (1620–1691) – This native of Dordrecht was best known for his landscapes, particularly Dutch and Italian ones. He painted large vistas of the Dutch countryside in the early morning or late afternoon light, with particularly compelling renderings of clouds.
• Jan Steen (1629–1679) – From Leiden, Steen captured daily life in all its lusty, chaotic glory. There is even a Dutch expression, een huishouden van Jan Steen (“a Jan Steen household”), which means a messy, cluttered scene. He painted historical, mythological and religious scenes as well as portraits and still lifes—always with insight and humor.
• Johannes “Jan” Vermeer (1632–1675) – With only 34 extant works attributed to him, Vermeer may not have been the most prolific Dutch Master, but he worked with great care and his domestic scenes are beloved. Two of his best-known works are Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Milkmaid.

Works of the Dutch Masters are on display around the world. In The Netherlands, you can see them at the Rembrandt Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Amsterdam Hermitage and the Royal Picture Gallery at The Hague.