Europe Up Close

Belgium Tourist Information

Published/Revised June 20, 2018 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Belgium is one of the smaller countries in continental Europe and the “middle child” of three countries comprising “Benelux” (the others being the Netherlands and Luxembourg). It is an often-overlooked country but many consider it a European gem. Its capital, Brussels, is nicknamed the capital of Europe as it is home to the European Union headquarters. In Brussels one can find a unique blend of ... Read Full Article

Latvia Tourist Information

Published/Revised May 13, 2016 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

If you want to learn more about Latvia, this post offers comprehensive Latvia tourist information designed to make it easy for you to plan your trip. Latvia is the middle of the three Baltic republics that gained independence after the fall of the Soviet Union. It is bordered by Estonia to the north, Russia and Belarus to the east, Lithuania to the south and the Baltic Sea to the west. A 2010 ... Read Full Article

Luxembourg Tourist Information

Published/Revised December 18, 2017 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Officially called Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, this small constitutional monarchy is nestled between France, Belgium and Germany. Luxembourg’s population of just over a half million reflects diverse cultural influences. German, French and Luxembourgish (which has similarities with both French and German dialects are the country’s official languages. Luxembourg is one of the founding members of the ... Read Full Article

First Time Visitor Guide to Rome

Published/Revised April 16, 2019 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

First Time Visitor Guide to Rome Most first-time visitors are filled with excitement and suspense when they first arrive in Rome. This guide will help you get to your hotel and plan the rest of your stay. Rome is so full of unfathomable beauty that it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into. Before you head out and see the Colosseum in Rome and all the other sights, it is best to know what ... Read Full Article

Poland Tourist Information

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Poland is an oft-neglected destination for travelers to Europe and this bodes well for those of you who do make the trip. Poland has had its ups and downs since leaving the cold grip of the Soviet Union in 1990, but the economy is stable and the tourism infrastructure is more than adequate for the casual traveler and yet rustic enough to provide for those magic moments far away from home. Poland ... Read Full Article

Liechtenstein Tourist Information

Published/Revised June 30, 2016 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Only 160 square kilometres (a little smaller than Washington DC), little Liechtenstein is the 4th smallest country in Europe. The head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein, is a very successful banker who presides over the family business -- leading the government of  the only remaining absolute monarchy in Europe.  He has, though, left the day-to-day running of the country to ... Read Full Article

Iceland Tourist Information

Published/Revised April 21, 2019 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

With a population of just 325,000, Iceland is one of the most unique nations in the world, providing a diversity of attractions for the traveler. The geological wonders of this island nation are never ending, while the capital city, Reykjavik, is known for its carefree and intellectual nature as well as its first class infrastructure and tourism facilities. Passports & Visas for ... Read Full Article

Croatia Tourist Information

Published/Revised June 11, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Croatia is situated in the South-eastern part of Europe along the Adriatic Sea. It shares land borders with Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and a maritime border with Italy. The country was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until World War I, and then became a part of Yugoslavia. In 1991, Croatia declared its independence. What followed was the long and brutal ... Read Full Article

Serbia Tourist Information

Published/Revised July 1, 2016 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Introduction to Serbia Serbia was once the undisputed leader of the South Slav confederation that made up Yugoslavia. That region of the world was once and is now becoming again one of the most wonderful places to visit and spend a vacation. Serbia represents that movement to the fullest: a pariah in the 1990s for the atrocities of the civil war following the break-up of Yugoslavia and pummeled ... Read Full Article

Monaco Tourist Information

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Introduction to Monaco The Principality of Monaco is a constitutional monarchy located along the French Riviera, near the Italian border. Monaco is the name of the country and the capital city (the only city in Monaco). It is comprised of five main areas, the largest of which is Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo is the pinnacle of elegance, luxury and nightlife (including high stakes gambling). The Rock ... Read Full Article