Since 1996, Alberobello has been on the UNESCO World Heritage site list for the
over 1,500 Trulli buildings. Today, many of the Trulli are restaurants, cafes,
and hotels. However, some of the back streets are primarily residential with
families living in the Trulli houses. The town itself is the main attraction in
Alberobello and visitors will enjoy wandering through the winding streets of
this hobbit-like place. Alberobello also has a few small museums and a trullo
church. There are plenty of opportunities to buy kitch souvenirs like terra
cotta whistles and mini trulli houses. Visitors will also find no shortage of
local cuisine and wine bars.

Though Alberobello is a tourist destination, it is still not touristy. Most of
the tourists coming here are Italians. Don’t be surprised if locals invite you
in for a glass of Italian wine, making the unforgettable experience even more
memorable.

For a city which holds reminds of a recent tragedy, most notably Auschwitz
which is located just a short bus ride from the city center, Krakow is full of
life and beauty. One of the most beautiful of all of Krakow’s attractions is
located in its underbelly: The Wieliczka Salt Mines. Just about 10 miles from
the city center, Wieliczka (vyeh-leech-kah) has been open continuously for over
900 years and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

Leaving the impressive Krakow city center for a day trip to salt mines doesn’t
sound like a lot of fun. However, the Wieliczka Salt Mines has attracted
thousands of tourists including many celebrities. The mine today has about 200
kilometers of tunnels and more than 2,000 caverns. During special events,
visitors to Wieliczka can even hear concerts in the larger caverns of the salt
mine.

The tour starts by taking you 64 meters underground with a 380-step staircase.
Visitors will be able to explore 20 of the manmade caverns and marvel over the
stunning salt formations. There are also several underground chapels where
miners would pray before the start of their day working in the dangerous
underground. The tour takes you right into the oldest parts of the salt mine
and ends 135 meters below the earth’s surface at the world’s largest mining
museum. The 3-hour tour is not only a completely unique experience, it is one
that you won’t ever forget.

Park Guell is located on a hilltop in the Gracia district of Barcelona. It was
commissioned by the Spanish aristocracy and built from 1900 to 1914. During one
point, Antoni Gaudi lived in Park Guell. His former house has now been
converted into a museum which includes modernist furniture which was designed
by the architect.

At every step within the Gaudi wonderland you will see stunning, colorful, and
curvilinear designs which seem as though they came from a fantastical dream.
Even walkways are supported by carved rock pillars which seem like they have
sprouted organically into the whimsical environment. In 1922, Park Guell was
opened to the public. In 1984, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You
don’t have to be an architecture lover to appreciate the beauty of Park Guell
which perfectly represents the Catalan spirit.

Before Kostnice Sedlec was famous as Bones Church, it was a sought-after burial
ground for aristocrats. An abbot during the 13th century had sprinkled soil
from Palestine on the cemetery thus making the land holy. By the 17th century,
the cemetery was running out of space so the older graves were exhumed and
brought into the chapel for storage. Urban myths say that monks went crazy and
began to pile the remains into designs. Really, it was an artisan named
Frantisek Rint who was hired in 1870 to decorate the chapel.

Kostnice Sedlec is open every day for visitors. While on the eerie side, this
is one attraction in Europe that you won’t ever forget!

Before Slovenia gained its independence in 1991 after a 10 day war, it was part
Yugoslavia. The influence of this now-defunct nation can be seen in the lively
“Balkan spirit” of Slovenes. This is the part of Slovenes which loves to drink
schnapps, is incredibly hospitable, and at times overly emotional. However,
Slovenia never quite fit in with the rest of the Balkan nations because of the
influence that its neighbors Austria and Italy had on the country. This
influence can be seen in their love for nature, diverse cuisine and
hard-working nature. It is no wonder that Slovenia has been called “Europe in
Miniature.”

The heart of Slovenia is its capital Ljubljana, which is the largest city at
about 270,000 inhabitants. In this small city you will be able to find a wealth
of cultural and historical sites and all mostly within walking distance. The
old town of Ljubljana is miraculously preserved with its medieval architecture.
When you stroll through the city at night and see the buildings reflected off
the river Ljubljanica, you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. When you
cross over the Dragon Bridge, you will be able to see the Ljubljana Castle
looming overhead. From the top of the castle, there is a great view from which
you can see the Sava River and Kamnik Alps. Because Ljubljana has over 20
university faculties, young people visiting the city will find no shortage of
activities. Right in the center of the city is Metelkova City, autonomous zone
renown worldwide for its alternative art scene.

With Ljubljana as your starting point, you can easily visit the many
attractions in Slovenia on day trips. You won’t want to miss the unspoiled
beauty of Lake Bohinj, the necropolis of Sempeter which is from the Roman
times, or the medieval town of Ptuj. Or, you can head over to the Adriatic for
a relaxing day on the beach. Regardless of where you go in Slovenia, you are
sure to be welcomed and awed by all that this small country has to offer.