Alexandroupoli

Alexandroupoli is just 40km from the border of Turkey. It is a popular destination for Turkish holidaymakers from Istanbul. At weekends in the summer it is said that the number of cars with Turkish number plates exceeds that of local registered vehicles.

With a population of around 70,000 Alexandroupoli is big enough to offer the visitor a host of cafe's, restaurants and bars. There are no shopping malls in the city but there are plenty of good independent shops, For groceries there are two Lidl and one Carrefour supermarkets and a large Praktiker DIY store on the airport side of town.

Originally known as Dedeagac, a Turkish name based on a wise old Turkish man or dede who lazed around under the shade of a tree and who was finally buried beside it. In 1920 the King of Greece, Alexander I, visited the city and the local authorities changed its name in the King's honour.

The local Greeks are very friendly and hospitable towards their guests. This is a good place to spend a relaxing weekend not just in the summer months but also in winter. 

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Information

This section of our website covers a range of reviews, random information and rants and raves on almost any subject. Completely random articles contained within this blog do not necessarily portray the views of Birmingham UK Com.

Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, second largest city in the European Union after London. This historic city was the centre of the German Empire until 1918. Two successive world wars and the city was bombed so savagely that many of its older builders were destroyed beyond repair.

After the Second World War the city was divided between West Berlin and East Berlin. Some thirty years later it was unified again and is now the modern capital of Germany once again. Berlin today is a European city that should be on the destination list of every tourist visiting Europe.

Visitors can see what it was like to live under the Eastern Block. There is a museum dedicated to this experience. Checkpoint Charlie the famous crossing between East and West is today a busy tourist attraction along with the nearby museum that provides historical information about the city and the escape attempts by Eastern German residents determined to reach the West.

Modern Berlin has an excellent underground and bus service. Tourists can purchase The Berlin Pass which gives you free travel and reduced entrance costs to a host of attractions around the city. There is so much to see and do in this city.

Top attractions in Berlin include The Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, The Berlin Televison Tower, Museum Island and a host of city shopping areas and squares. You can even hire a Trabant and go on a Trabant tour of the city. 

Take a look at some of the photos of this fine European City - click here

Gothenburg

Gothenburg or Gothia Fortress from where it gets its name, is the second largest city in Sweden. It was founded by Royal Charter in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus. Gothenburg is a large port city with a population of around 1 1/2 million. Although there are two airports the Göteborg Landvetter Airport is the main international terminal.

Both fishing and international trade have ensured that Gothenburg flourished. The Swedish East India Company operated out of Sweden and the port of Gothenburg was a major embarkation destination for Swedes emigrating to the United States. The Feskekôrka, or Fiskhallen, is an indoor fishmarket in the city centre which looks like a Gothic Church although it has never been used for religious purposes.

The city of Gothenburg benefits from increasing numbers of tourists each year. Traditionally a manufacturing centre it is home to SKF, Volvo and Ericsson. Volvo Cars is the largest employer in Gothenburg. The city used to be known for its excellence in shipbuilding but this industry declined considerably during the 1970's, and has now for the most part, all but ceased.

Visitors to Gothenburg will be impressed with the cleanliness of the city, an organised urban area with excellent public transport systems, beautiful parks and some fine museums. There are also many exceptionally good cafes, bars and restaurants. Sweden has a reputation for being expensive but during 2015 with sterling values high it was possible to go on tours, eat and drink out, and book a hotel at prices on a par with those in the UK. 

Visitors from the United Kingdom will be amazed at the linguistic skills of the Swedes. People form all walks of life in Sweden speak exceptionally good English to a degree that is probably unrivalled anywhere else in the world with the exception of other Scandanavian countries and possibly Holland. Gothenburg really is a city that you should take the time out to visit. 

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Zurich

Zurich is the capital city of Switzerland and also its largest city. Situated on the north western tip of Lake Zurich (Zürichsee) there has been a settlement here since Roman times when it was referred to as Turicem. Just 19 miles from the Alps and situated on both sides of the Limmat river, it is home to one of the world's largest financial centres.

This is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe and has some of the world's highest property prices. With its variety of art galleries and museums, vibrant city life and exclusive high quality shopping outlets, Zurich is a leading global city with many well known companies having offices or headquarters here.

Zurich is a popular tourist destination and an easy city to explore. The main attractions are on either side of the Limmat river between Lake Zurich and the Railway Station. With its impressive architecture and cobbled streets, the ornate churches, old houses and city squares all make Zurich an enjoyable experience. There are plenty of places to wine and dine and sit back and enjoy the scenery.

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