Ogham-stone

The Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. Construction of the Wall was commenced by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) on 13 August 1961. The Wall cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany, including East Berlin. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, accompanied by a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, beds of nails, and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc portrayed the Wall as protecting its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" from building a socialist state in East Germany.

The South East which consists of the five counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. Fondly referred to by the 'Irish' as the 'Sunny South East', the region is famous for its vibrant towns, rural getaways and coastal villages and resorts. The landscape of the South East comprises a mix of rolling hills, woodlands and farmlands, picturesque river valleys of the Blackwater, Barrow, Nore, Suir and Slaney, and a craggy coastline adorned by a necklace of quaint fishing villages and coastal resorts. Early visitors, invaders, and raiders, merchants and traders helped create many structures, distinguishing marks and locations giving the area a name as Ireland's historic region. Visitors from overseas are attracted by the richness and variety of heritage sites in the South East.

The Alps are the largest and highest mountain chain in Europe, covering about 1200 kilometers (750 miles) from end to end. They start from the south of France in the Maritime Alps and sort of curve around the French Italian border to the north of Italy, and then all the way to Slovenia. In the north they extend to Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, both in the south of Germany. In the heart of the mountains lies Switzerland, probably the country most associated with the Alpine pastures and cheese. East of Switzerland lies Austria, one of my favorite places (Check out my Comprehensive Write-up of Hiking in Austria). And, of course, let’s not forget Lichtenstein between Austria and Switzerland, and Monaco between France and the Mediterranean Sea.

Potsdam is considered an attractive destination for tourists the world over. The historical legacy of the Prussian city of royal residence is reflected in UNESCO's decision to include Potsdam-Sanssouci and its unique array of gardens and palaces in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1990. The best-known landmark of the city is perhaps the famous palace of Sanssouci. The Hohenzollern palace was designed and built in the years 1745 to 1757 by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, who in turn had been commissioned by none other than the Prussian king Frederick the Great. The Rococo palace is situated above the southern slope of Potsdam in the hills of Bornstedt.

In Rome, you can find not only numerous masterpieces of the world’s most influential artists, as well as impressive architecture manifesting the greatness of the Roman Empire. But, also marvelous works of ancient engineering that withstood the test of time.

At the heart of Saxon Switzerland lies the magnificent Elbe Sandstone Mountains, a natural masterpiece sculpted by millions of years of erosion. Characterized by towering cliffs, rocky plateaus, and mystical gorges, the sandstone formations create an otherworldly landscape that seems straight out of a fairytale. The iconic Bastei Bridge stands as a testament to nature's artistic prowess, perched dramatically on soaring cliffs with panoramic views of the Elbe River valley below. The Königstein Fortress, a formidable hilltop fortress, adds a historical touch to the landscape, inviting visitors to step back in time and admire its grandeur.