Berlin, where the city transforms into a dazzling display of lights during the Festival of Lights! This annual event illuminates the streets, landmarks, and historic buildings of the German capital, creating a magical atmosphere that captivates visitors from around the world.

As you wander through the streets of Berlin during the festival, you'll be enchanted by the vibrant colors and intricate designs that adorn famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Cathedral, and the TV Tower. Each illuminated installation tells a story, celebrating the rich history and culture of this dynamic city.

From the bustling streets of Alexanderplatz to the tranquil banks of the Spree River, every corner of Berlin comes alive with light and creativity during the festival. Whether you're strolling along Unter den Linden or exploring the trendy neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, you'll find yourself immersed in a visual feast that sparks wonder and joy.

But the Festival of Lights is more than just a spectacle—it's a celebration of community, creativity, and the spirit of Berlin. From interactive light installations to live performances and art exhibitions, there's something for everyone to enjoy during this magical time of year.

Calcutta, where history, culture, and modernity blend seamlessly to create a unique tapestry of experiences. Nestled along the banks of the Hooghly River, Calcutta, also known as Kolkata, is a city that pulsates with life and energy.

One of the oldest cities in India, Calcutta is steeped in history. From the grand colonial architecture of buildings like the Victoria Memorial and the Howrah Bridge to the narrow lanes of North Kolkata's old neighborhoods, every corner of the city tells a story. 

But Calcutta is not just a city frozen in time; it is also a bustling metropolis that embraces change while holding on to its cultural roots. The city is home to a diverse population, with people from different communities and backgrounds coexisting harmoniously. 

But perhaps the most captivating aspect of Calcutta is its people. Warm, welcoming, and ever-ready to strike up a conversation, the residents of Calcutta, or Kolkatans as they are affectionately called, are the heart and soul of the city. 

In Calcutta, every street corner is a photo opportunity, every interaction a chance to delve deeper into the city's rich tapestry of culture and history. So come, explore the City of Joy, and discover why Calcutta continues to captivate the hearts of all who visit.

Luxembourg , officially Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Country, western Europe. Area: 998 sq mi (2,586 sq km). Population: (2022 est.) 647,800. Capital: Luxembourg. Currency: euro. The country has a maximum length of 51 mi (82 km) and a maximum width of 35 mi (56 km). It is divided into two regions: the Oesling, an extension of the Ardennes Mountains in the northern third of the country consisting of a high plateau dissected by river valleys; and the Bon Pays, or Gutland, a rolling plateau that occupies the rest of the land. 

Luxembourg’s economy is largely based on heavy industry and international trade and banking, and its per capita income is among the highest in the world. It is a constitutional monarchy with one legislative body; its head of state is the grand duke, and the head of government is the prime minister. 

It was invaded and occupied by Germany in both World Wars. Following World War II, it abandoned its neutrality by joining NATO in 1949. It joined the Benelux Economic Union in 1944 and the European Coal and Steel Community, a forerunner of the European Economic Community, in 1952. Luxembourg ratified the Maastricht Treaty on European Union in 1992 and adopted the euro as its official monetary unit in 1999. 

Source: Britannica, The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia. "Luxembourg". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Jun. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/facts/Luxembourg. Accessed 8 June 2022.

Budapest, is the capital of Hungary. The city is the political, administrative, industrial, and commercial centre of Hungary. The site has been continuously settled since prehistoric times and is now the home of about one-fifth of the country’s population. 

Once called the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest has long been the focal point of the nation and a lively cultural centre. The city straddles the Danube (Hungarian: Duna) River in the magnificent natural setting where the hills of western Hungary meet the plains stretching to the east and south. It consists of two parts, Buda and Pest, which are situated on opposite sides of the river and connected by a series of bridges.  

Budapest stood apart from the relatively drab capitals of the other Soviet-bloc countries; it maintained an impression of plenty, with smart shops, good restaurants, and other amenities. The dissolution of the Soviet bloc and Hungary’s transition away from socialism brought Budapest new opportunities for prosperity and an influx of Western tourists—along with the stresses of transition to a more Western-style economy. The city, including the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. 

Source: Péter, L. (2021, May 29). Budapest. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Budapest

Prague, is the capital of the Czech Republic. Lying at the heart of Europe, it is one of the continent’s finest cities and the major Czech economic and cultural centre. The city has a rich architectural heritage that reflects both the uncertain currents of history in Bohemia and an urban life extending back more than 1,000 years.

The physical attractions and landmarks of Prague are many. Among the finest is the Charles Bridge (Karlův most), which stands astride the Vltava River. The winding course of the Vltava, with its succession of bridges and changing vistas, contrasts with the ever-present backdrop of the great castle of Hradčany (Prague Castle), which dominates the left-bank region of the city from behind massive walls set high on a hill. 

The narrow streets and little taverns and restaurants of the older quarters contrast with the broad sweep of Wenceslas Square and modern parks and housing developments, while the great 18th-century Baroque palaces have their own elegance and splendour. Seen from the surrounding hills, the many church towers make up a unique perspective, giving Prague its description as the “city of a hundred spires.”  

Source: Osborne, R. Horsley , Carter, . Francis William and Kazimour, . Jan (2021, October 6). Prague. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Prague

Quedlinburg, lies in Saxony-Anhalt (state), central Germany. It lies on the Bode River, in the northern foothills of the Lower Harz Mountains, southwest of Magdeburg. 

Founded in 922 as a fortress by Henry I (the Fowler), it became a favourite residence of the Saxon emperors, and in 968 Otto I founded an imperial abbey there (with his daughter Mathilda as abbess), which was secularized in 1803. A member of the Hanseatic League until 1477, the city then came under the protection of the electors of Saxony until it passed to Brandenburg in 1698. 

The medieval walls and towers, many half-timbered houses, and several medieval churches survive, contributing to a thriving tourist industry. The city is dominated by the 16th-century castle (now a museum) on the site of the old fortress and by the former abbey church of St. Servatius (1070–1129, incorporating the remains of a 10th-century church). The church, castle, and old town were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Source: Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2015, May 19). Quedlinburg. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Quedlinburg

Vienna, the capital city of Austria has undergone several historical incarnations. From 1558 to 1918 it was an imperial city—until 1806 the seat of the Holy Roman Empire and then the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1918 it became the capital of the truncated, landlocked central European country that emerged from World War I as a republic. From 1938 to 1945 Austria was a part of Adolf Hitler’s “Greater” Germany, and Vienna became “Greater” Vienna, reflecting the Nazi revision of the city limits. 

Vienna is among the least spoiled of the great old western European capitals. Its central core, the Innere Stadt, is easily manageable by foot and public transportation. In a city renowned for its architecture, many of Vienna’s urban prospects remain basically those devised over several centuries by imperial gardeners and architects.

 The skyline is still dominated by the spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and by the giant Ferris wheel in the city’s chief park, the Prater. The city suffered heavy damage in the last months of World War II, and much rebuilding was done after the war. Nevertheless, the character of Vienna as a whole remains much the same as in the years before 1914. 

Source: Ehrlich, B. , Hill, . Roland John and Holzner, . Lutz (2020, May 21). Vienna. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Vienna

Amsterdam is the capital and the principal commercial and financial centre of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is known for its historical attractions, for its collections of great art, and for the distinctive colour and flavour of its old sections, which have been so well preserved.

It is easy to describe Amsterdam, which is more than 700 years old, as a living museum of a bygone age and to praise the eternal beauty of the centuries-old canals, the ancient patrician houses, and the atmosphere of freedom and tolerance.

Amsterdam’s intimate character is best reflected in the narrow, bustling streets of the old town, where much of the population still goes about its business. While there are reminders of the glorious past—gabled houses, noble brick facades clad with sandstone, richly decorated cornices, towers and churches, and the music of carillons and barrel organs—the realities of life in the modern city often belie this romantic image. 

The inner city is divided by its network of canals into some 90 “islands,” and the municipality contains approximately 1,300 bridges and viaducts. Although the city has a modern metro system, about one-fifth of the workforce still relies on the time-honoured bicycle for transportation.   

Source: Werkman, E. , Vincent, . Paul F. and Wintle, . Michael J. (2021, July 23). Amsterdam. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Amsterdam

Magdeburg, city, capital of state Saxony-Anhalt, east-central Germany. It lies along the Elbe River, southwest of Berlin. Magdeburg is situated at a natural crossroads on the Elbe. During the period of German partition, it was the most important inland port of East Germany; inland shipping remains significant. Although German reunification in 1990 brought steep declines in manufacturing activity.

Because the city’s important industrial and commercial facilities were restored and expanded after World War II and German reunification, the city centre has uncharacteristically wide streets and mid-to-late 20th-century architecture. The Romanesque and Gothic cathedral (1209–1520) dedicated to Saints Maurice and Catherine has survived, and the Monastery of Our Lady (begun c. 1070), the oldest church in the city, has been restored. The Magdeburg Rider, the oldest German equestrian statue (c. 1240), showing Otto the Great, can be seen in Magdeburg’s Cultural History Museum. The physicist Otto von Guericke, on whose name the famous Otto von Guericke Universität is named, was born here in Magdeburg.

Source: Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2007, October 11). Magdeburg. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Magdeburg-Germany

Rotterdam, major European port and second largest city of the Netherlands. Rotterdam literally rose from its ashes after its devastation by bombing during World War II. A totally new inner city was laid out, with a spacious and functional architecture oriented toward the river and a series of experiments at complete city planning that have attracted both professional and touristic admiration. 

Source: Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, July 26). Rotterdam. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Rotterdam-Netherlands

Githoorn, a typical Dutch village in Overijssel, we can perfectly see how the Dutch love to live with and on the water. In an environment full of lakes, reed beds and forests lies this picturesque village with its many handsome farms with thatched roofs and characteristic wooden bridges.

Giethoorn was established as a settlement of peat harvesters. Peat cutting created ponds and lakes, and people built houses on the islands between them. As a result, access was only possible by bridge or using traditional Giethoorn boats, so-called punters – narrow boats pushed along using a long pole by a punteraar.

Fortunately, little has changed in Giethoorn. The tall wooden bridges are still there, and we can still travel the waters on a punter, as well as on a boat. A boat tour takes us past the gorgeous 18th and 19th-century farmhouses and under the bridges. 

Source: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/provinces/overijssel/giethoorn-10.htm