Europe attractions

St. Petersburg’s most iconic site after the Hermitage Museum, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is known for its elaborate façade and brightly colored onion domes. Officially the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, the magnificent church was built on the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.

Moscow’s iconic, brick-and-glass Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage was designed by avant-garde Russian architects Konstantin Melnikov and Vladimir Shukhov in 1926. By the dawn of the 21st century it was in disrepair but was restored by Roman Abramovich to house the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. That then moved and the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center subsequently opened at the Bus Garage in 2012. Now firmly on all the tours of Jewish heritage in Moscow, it is dedicated to the backstory of Russian Jews from medieval times to present day, with displays walking chronologically through spacious galleries making clever use of the very latest technology. Using personal narrative, film footage, holograms, multimedia touch screens and listening stations, this is a thoroughly modern museum with a surprisingly positive message. Yes, the subject matter deals thoughtfully with programs and the Holocaust but also dedicates space to the achievements of the Jews in Moscow and St Petersburg before World War I, when they successfully played a large part in civic and cultural life. There’s a small collection of Jewish ephemera and a permanent art exhibition as well as an animated 4D movie in the Beginnings Theater, which explains the beliefs fundamental to Judaism, but the heart of the museum lies with the panoramic film projected on to a massive, curved screen that combines wartime footage with testimonies from Holocaust survivors and deals with Jewish repression under Soviet rule. The Tolerance Center is a place in which to reflect and look forward; it houses a children’s center and the Schneerson Collection, a library of priceless Jewish books and manuscripts.

The Mariinsky is St. Petersburg’s most notable theater, home to the Kirov Ballet (now known as the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Ballet in Russia, and a venue for opera and classical music. As well as the 19th-century building, modern additions have added to the performance space. Arts and culture lovers shouldn’t miss seeing a performance, such as Swan Lake or Anna Karenina.

In St. Petersburg, it doesn’t really matter what the weather is doing outside, because it’s always warm inside Piterland Aquapark. Spend the day relaxing and having fun, taking full advantage of the park’s pools, waterslides, and saunas. Or, just lounge around under a palm tree on the artificial beach.

Moscow’s enormous Trampoline Park NEBO is a family-friendly destination that older kids in particular will enjoy, especially on a cold or rainy day. Challenge yourself on trampolines, aerial walkways, or the climbing wall—or attempt an obstacle course or two. You can even take private trampolining lessons.

An imposing red-brick fortress stretching along the banks of the Moskva River, the Moscow Kremlin is the grand centerpiece of Moscow and one of Russia’s most recognizable landmarks. Originally the seat of the Russian grand dukes and later home to Soviet leaders such as Lenin and Stalin, the Kremlin is now the Russian president’s official residence.

The Jewish Museum of Odessa, Ukraine opened in November 2002. Though small, with an exhibition area of only 160 square meters, the museum features an impressive collection of more than 7,000 photographs, newspapers, books, documents, musical instruments and pieces of art from Odessa’s Jewish community, which was once the third largest in the world. Items have been donated by local leaders, ordinary citizens and members of Odessa’s diaspora. Highlights include fragments of gravestones dating back to the 1770s, pages from Jewish newspapers as far back as 1869, photographs of leading Jewish cultural figures and a collection of religious garments and objects. One exhibition room is dedicated to Yiddish culture during the Soviet period and another remembers victims of the Holocaust. The museum also offers classes in Jewish tradition, history, literature, art and design, as well as Hebrew language classes.

Founded by Peter the Great in 1714, the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography is Russia’s oldest museum. Its permanent collection is made up of almost two million items and includes a fascinating mix of cultural artefacts, curiosities, and scientific marvels from all around the world.

The Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex(Kiev Olympic Stadium) is the premier sports venue in Ukraine and the second largest in eastern Europe. Located on Cherepanov Hill in Kiev, the complex’s history dates back to 1923 when it was known as the Red Stadium of Trotsky. Originally designed with an eye toward hosting the Olympic Games, the complex underwent extensive renovations prior to Ukraine hosting the final of Euro 2012. The renovation added a roof over the seating areas, a new press box and luxury boxes and a 13-story Sheraton Kiev Olimpskiy Hotel. With a seating capacity of more than 70,000 the complex regularly hosts major football matches and has hosted concerts by international stars such as Shakira, George Michael, Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tours of the complex include the changing rooms of the FC Dynamo Kiev football team, the players’ tunnel, the stadium bowl and the second tier of the stadium, which offers great views of the surrounding area.

The Bronze Horseman is a statue of Peter the Great on a horse. Catherine the Great had the statue built in the late 1700s to honor Peter the Great as the founder of the city of St. Petersburg. She commissioned the French sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet who had spent a long time studying the movements of horsemen on reared mounts. The horse stands on a rock meant to represent a cliff. This huge block of granite weighs more than 1,600 tons and took more than nine months to transport from the Gulf of Finland. Visitors can still see an inscription on the stone that says "to Peter the First from Catherine the Second” in Latin on one side and in Russian on the other side. The statue faces west to represent Peter “leading Russia forward” because he drew inspiration from countries in the west. Legend has it that St Petersburg can never be taken by enemy forces as long as the statue remains standing in Senatskaya Square. You will often see newlyweds having their wedding photos taken in front of the statue.

Rising up from the banks of the Moyka River, the distinctive canary-yellow façade of Yusupov Palace (Yusupovsky Dvorets harbors a rich history. One of four palaces belonging to the aristocratic Yusupov family, it’s known for its remarkably preserved interiors and as the site where Grigory Rasputin was murdered in 1916.

A diesel-electric attack submarine from the early Cold War era, the C-189 was built in 1954 and used in the Soviet navy until 1990. Nowadays, visitors can get onboard and explore the docked submarine-turned-museum.

One of France’s most important aquariums, Oceanopolis (Océanopolis), in Brest, is both a traditional aquarium and a center for oceanography. The site is made up of three main pavilions divided into tropical, polar, and temperate exhibition areas, each of which hosts a variety of sea life, from anemones to seals.

Located in the County Kerry town of Tralee, the Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre is housed in an all-brick, ring-shaped building and its outside appearance is almost as special as the spectacular Irish folk dancers, singers, and other performers that take the stage every April through October. With shows highlighting Celtic music and Irish dance, Siamsa Tíre is a wonderful place to soak up local and traditional culture.

Stretching along the western wall of the Kremlin, Alexander Garden is one of Moscow’s oldest urban parks, laid out in the early 19th century. A popular spot for picnicking and strolling, it’s dotted with historic monuments, lined with colorful flower beds, and has sweeping views of the Kremlin.

The looming yellow cathedral tower and star-shaped fortifications of the Peter and Paul Fortress dominate St. Petersburg’s riverfront, rising up from the shores of Zayachy Island. Built by Peter the Great in 1703, the fortress boasts a long history, having served as a military base, royal burial site, and political prison.

Behind the castle-like entrance of Moscow Zoo lie over 50 acres (20 hectares of purpose-built habitats and some 7,000 animal residents—making it the largest zoo in Russia. Native species abound, including polar bears, wolves, and Siberian tigers, as well as elephants, monkeys, and dolphins.

The Winzavod Center for Contemporary Art (Vinzavod) in Moscow is the heart of the city’s contemporary art scene. The seven industrial buildings that make up the center include the former home of Moscow’s oldest winery and what was once the second largest brewery in Moscow. The complex was later bought by one of the richest men in Russia, who established an art gallery with more than 500 paintings, making the Winzavod Center the oldest art gallery in Moscow. Covering 20,000 square meters, the center is now home to four of Russia’s most prestigious contemporary art galleries, as well as artists’ studios, fashion showrooms, a photography studio, an avant-garde clothing store, a bookstore, an art-supply store and an art-café. Eight different halls within the complex can be used for special events such as lectures, festivals or art exhibitions. It also hosts the annual national photo contest, Best of Russia, which receives tens of thousands of entries from all over the country.

Alexander Pushkin was Russia’s most celebrated poet and the Pushkin Museum and Memorial Apartment is a lasting memorial to his life and work. Located in one of the oldest stone mansions in St Petersburg, the apartment museum is just two blocks from Nevsky Prospekt on the banks of the Moika River. A fine example of a nobleman’s apartment in the 1830s, it became a museum in 1925. The carefully preserved apartment is where Pushkin lived in 1836 and 1837 and where he died after being wounded in a duel. The centerpiece of the museum is Pushkin’s study, where objects belonging to his family, friends and contemporaries are on display. Visitors can also see Pushkin’s writing desk, a death mask, a lock of his hair and other personal items. In the basement of the building are exhibits on the history of the house, Pushkin’s life in St Petersburg in 1836, and the duel that killed him.

Completed in 1561 after it was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible, St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most recognizable and iconic landmarks in Moscow, and perhaps in all of Russia. Officially named Intercession Church, St. Basil and its nine, colorful onion domes reside on the southern end of Red Square, marking the geometric center of Moscow.

Situated at the base of the Monument to the Conquerors of Space—which depicts a rocket soaring into space—Moscow’s Museum of Cosmonautics looks back at Russia’s role in space exploration. From retro space race propaganda to Soviet-era rockets, exhibits celebrate the Soviet space program and the country’s outer space achievements.

An enormous water park just outside Nessebar, Aqua Paradise is also home to a large resort hotel. The park, sometimes known as Aqua Park Nessebar, features over 20 water slides, multiple swimming pools, lazy rivers, and attractions including a surf simulator. There are also a range of bars and restaurants, plus themed live shows in season.

Thanks to its location on the North Sea, Ostend, Belgium has a rich maritime heritage—and few attractions represent that history better than the Mercator (Zeilschip Mercator). A grand, three-masted ship that set sail on 41 expeditions and played a role in World War II, the Mercator is now permanently moored as a beautifully preserved, floating museum.

Ellenbogen—meaning “elbow” in German—is quite literally an area shaped like an elbow, located on the northernmost tip of the island of Sylt, which boasts unspoiled natural beauty. This wild landscape features grassy dunes, pristine beaches, and lighthouses. Ideal for a scenic escape from city life, you can cycle, hike, or relax on the beach, while enjoying the serene surroundings.

Smolny Cathedral (Smol'nyy Sobor) is a cathedral and convent located on the banks of the River Neva in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was built in the mid 1700s in a Baroque style, and it is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city due to its striking blue color. It was originally built to house Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great. Since being denied the throne, she intended to become a nun. However, once her predecessor was overthrown, she was able to take her place as the Empress of Russia instead. Work on the cathedral was stopped when Catherine II came to power, and it wasn't until around 1835 when work started again. Due to this, the interior was done in a neo-classical style. The cathedral is laid out in the shape of a cross with four smaller churches in the corners. Visitors can also see the detailed church spires and the clock tower which stands at 308 feet tall. Today the cathedral is used primarily as a concert hall. The surrounding convent buildings are used as governmental offices as well as faculty buildings for St. Petersburg State University.

The State Museum of the Political History of Russia covers a lot of ground, with exhibitions featuring everything from the Russian Revolution to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the evolution of modern-day Russia. Each gallery offers a wealth of information, and multimedia and interactive displays bring history to life.

One of the three museums dedicated to the life of Leo Tolstoy n Moscow, the Leo Tolstoy State Museum (Muzey L.N. Tolstogo) was the winter home of the writer in the 1880s and 1890s. Containing more than 6,000 items belonging to Tolstoy and his family, the museum not only offers a glimpse into Tolstoy’s life, but also provides visitors a sense of how the nobility lived in the 19th century. The house sits on nearly a hectare of land lined with maple and linden trees and has remain mostly unchanged from when Tolstoy called it home. The house’s 16 rooms have been carefully preserved, from Tolstoy’s raccoon coat hanging on the wall in the entrance, to the toys in his youngest child’s bedroom. The second floor study is where the writer penned many of his masterpieces and in the large living room, he and his wife hosted literary and musical evenings with the likes of Rachmaninov.