3) Copenhagen, Denmark

CHRISTIANIA

This controversial area is loved by many, but has been a turning point for strong debate especially because of the locals relaxed view on hash and their at times quite anarchistic statements.

Many will say that Christiania was better before the mission to "normalize" the area was started in 2004 when Pusher Street was removed. But the area is still a breath of fresh air in the nice and busy city.

Christiania was founded in 1971, when a group of people cut a hole in fence to the military barracks in Badmandsgade. soon the area was known for Pusher Street, where you could buy hash and pot but no hard drugs from various stalls.

A lot of the poeple living in Christiania created their homes themselves giving the area an extremely interesting architectural feel. And you will find a variety of eco-restaurants, workshops, galleries and music venues offering all sorts of cultural experiences.


Be aware that Christiania can still be a rough area and not everyone will feel comfortable after dark. At the main entrance you will find signs saying that taking photographs or running around Pusher Street is not permitted by Christiania law. 











AMALIENBORG PALACE

Amalienborg Palace is considered one of the greatest works of Danish Rococco architecture and was constructed in the 1700's.

It is made up of four identical building- The Christian VII's Palace is also known as Moltke's Palace, The Christian VIII's Palace is also known as Levetzau's Palace, The Frederik VIII's Palace is also known as Brockdorff' s Palace and The Christian IX's Palace or Schack's Palace- spread around the octagonal courtyard.

This is the main residence of Her Majesty the Queen. When the flag is raised, it signals that the Queen is present. 

Today audiences can visit two of the four palaces: Christian VIII's palace, which is partially organized as a museum for the Glücksburg royal family and Christian VII's palace, which is used by the Queen for receiving guests and official representatives. 

In the centre of the courtyard there is an equestrian statue of King Frederik V and it is considered one of the most outstanding equestrian statues in the world. The statue was unveiled in 1771- five years after King Frederik V's death in 1766. 

Amalienborg is also known for the Danish Royal Guard, who patrol the palace grounds. The Danish Royal Guard march from Rosenorg Castle at 11.30 daily through the streets of Copenhangen,  and execute the chaging of the guard in front of Amalienborg Palace at 12.00.

CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE

Christiansborg Palace, located on the tiny island of Slotsholmen, contains the Danish Parliament Folketinget, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of state. 

Parts of the palace are used by the Royal Family for various functions and events. The Royal Reception Rooms include The Tower Room and the Oval Throne Room where foreign ambassadors to Denmark are received by the Queen. The Throne Room gives access to the balcony where the Danish monarchs are Proclaimed. 

The Great Hall is the most imposing room in the palace. This is where you will find the Queen's tapestries.The Danish business community marked the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II's 50th birthday in 1990 by ordering a gift of 11 tapestries. Bjørn Nørgaard painted the full-size sketches upon which the tapestries were woven. The tapestry series depicts 1000 years of Danish history.

The Prime Minister of Denmark also uses The Royal Reception Rooms in connection with state visits by foreign state leaders. The Alexandra Hall is used for official dinners.

If you hold a ticket to the Royal Reception Rooms, you are entitled to a free guided tour of the premises.

2) Dinant, Belgium

Dinant sparkles along the Meuse River in the province of Namur. It is about 40 miles south of Brussels and about 12 miles south of Namur, the regional capital.

THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF NOTRE-DAME

The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame at Dinant has about the most striking combination of features and location that i can recall seeing anywhere. At the foot of a sheer rock cliff, and overlooking the major fluvial artery, the Meuse River, its bulbous, onion domed roof, topped with a spire, is unforgettable.

There was a 7th century church on the site of the current structure, which has been variously damaged by falling rock or warfare over the centuries. the current church dates from 1227 in a Gothic design; its previous design was said to be Romanesque.

It is noted for its onion dome tower, which was actually the last of various designs planned for the building over the years. The church was badly damaged during World War One.

The church is overlooked by a Citadel, Which, in its present form, was fortified in 1821. from the citadel may be obtained fine views of the collegiate church, with its remarkable tower design.

LA CITADELLE DINANT

The Citadel, on its rock high above the city of Dinant, has been a weapon and history museum for over a century. In the Middle Ages, the city of the "Copères", the second largest of the Principality of Liege, was a Hanseatic town renowned for its copperware, the famous "dinanderie". 

In order to storm the Dinant Citadel, visitors can choose between the stairs with 408 steps (dated 1577) and/or the cable car, built in 1956 and renovated in 1997. Both lead to a staggering view on the city of Dinant.

Behind the Citadel lies a large parking lot with room for 150 vehicles. It is accessible from the plateau, avoiding the traffic of the centre of Dinant... and its parking meters.

In the "Dutch" citadel, visitors learn about the history of Dinant, literally and metaphorically exploring the corridors of time: the sack of Dinant by the troops of Charles the Bold in 1466, the construction of the city's fortifications by Vauban, Louis XIV's brilliant engineer and architect, the bayonet combats of French and German soldiers and the massacre of 674 civilians in August 1914…

The visit includes a look at the prison of a disciplinary regiment and even a meeting with the guillotine…

The panorama of the splendid landscape, 100 meters above the Meuse, is breathtaking.

And also the daily life of the Dutch garrison (foundry, kitchen, bakery) and the perils of a soldier of the Great War, escaping from a collapsed shelter in his trench... Thrilling!

 

THE GROTTO OF DINANT

Discovered in 1904, "La Merveilleuse" is considered to be one of the most beautiful grottoes in Belgium. You can admire its stalactites and waterfalls, one whiter and finer than the other. 50 minutes in the caves whose entrance is located a few hundred meters from the center of Dinant.

This walk in the land will amaze you with its beauty. The cave inhabited by bats kind of offers the advantage of showing as nature formed it.

After a succession of galleries and rooms to the walls draped with stalactites and stalagmites you reach the large room that contains many stalactites and waterfalls of whiteness and fineness breathtaking.

1) Namur, Belgium