Spain

While over in Europe, the final place I would like to visit would be Spain. The culture and language is something I find fascinating. This country borders the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The first city I would like to visit would be Barcelona. It is the second largest city in Spain with a population of 1.6 million. Its culture and architectural works are what bring people to this area. One of the main tourist attractions in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia which is one of the most popular churches in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi. His work is well known throughout Spain. Museums are another thing that people in Spain appreciate because it shows their history. One of the most popular museums is the National Museum of Art of Catalonia. This museum focuses on Spanish art rather than the history or science of Spain like many of the other museums. Barcelona is also well known for all of the parks that are located here. Barcelona contains 68 parks, some are thematic others are just normal parks. A park called Montjuic, is located on top of a mountain with the same name. There is also a park located near the Barcelona Zoo, and a labyrinth park which is named after the garden maze it contains. While your in Barcelona, you have to take a day trip to one of its seven beaches. Barcelona was listed number one of the top ten cities with the best beaches in Spain according to National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. The second city I would like to visit would the capital of Spain, Madrid. The business area of Madrid contains many skyscrapers, which is always fascinating to me. People in Madrid value the architecture and sculptures they have. One of the most well known example is the Fountain of Neptune, as well as many others. Visiting Spain would be very interesting. I think learning about another culture would be something I would like to do one day.

Italy

This week our adventure across Europe continues with a trip to beautiful Italy. One of the reasons I have wanted to go to Italy is to see the coastline. If the place I am visiting has a beautiful view that takes my breathe away then more than likely I will never want to leave. From what my grandparents have told me, this is true for Italy. The country borders the Adriatic Sea as well as the Ionian and Tyrrhenian. It is made up of a the Italian Peninsula which is in the shape of a boot.  Our first stop is Rome which is the most visited city in Italy. The city is known for its beautiful architecture.

One of the most visited tourists attractions in Rome would include the Colosseum. This is a large amphitheater built in 70 AD. The Roman Empire would use to hold gladiator contests, dramas, animal hunts and even executions here for the public to watch. Today the Colosseum is Rome's most popular tourist attraction with over a million visitors each year.

The Trevi Fountain is the most popular fountains in the world and is often depicted in movies such as The Lizzie McGuire Movie and When in Rome. Legend has it that a young beautiful woman helped a Roman solider find clean drinking water and this was the site where she led him. He then constructed the fountain at the aqueduct so the water could supply all of Rome. Of course, many people throw coins into the fountain and make a wish. It is estimated a 3,000 coins are thrown into the fountain daily.

Vatican City State, home to the pope, is a city within Rome. Within Vatican City, there are many museums and chapels but St. Peter's Square is where I would want to visit. It is a large plaza in front of St. Peter's Basillica. The plaza is paved with cobblestone and is breathe taking. The plaza was built with large space in front of the Vatican Palace so that "the greatest number of people could see the Pope giving his blessing, either from the middle of the façade of the church or from the window of Vatican Palace."

Another city I would like to visit would be Pisa. This is home to the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. The towers lean was unintentional and began during construction due to a lack of foundation and one side of the ground being softer than the other. The tower leans at a 3.99 degree angle and has steps up to the seven floors of the tower for tourist to enjoy the view.

France

I always told myself that after I had traveled to every state, I was going to go over to Europe. My grandparents have been there several times and they always tell me about their adventures and it has always made me jealous. They have told me that Europe is so pretty and has so much history behind all the buildings, it just makes me wish I could see it. From what I am told, the coastline is the best view anyone could witness.

The first place I would want to visit would be Paris, of course. This is home to the famous Eiffel Tower. I have seen pictures of the Eiffel Tower, but I feel like they don't do it justice. It was first constructed in 1889. The tower stands at 1,063 feet tall and has three levels. The first two levels consist of restaurants and the third level is the observatory platform that is 906 feet off the ground. At night, the tower is lit up and shines through all of Paris.

Another popular tourist spot is the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It is said to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. It is most famous for is bell tower and gargoyles that accompany it. There is a total of ten bells throughout the cathedral and each of them have their own name and note they play. They are rung every hour and for various occasions or services.

The final place I would like to visit is The Louvre Museum. It is the worlds most visited museum with over 9.7 millions visitors in 2012. There are nearly 35,000 objects on display and this museum is home to the Mona Lisa and where the 2006 movie The Da Vinci Code was filmed. In the main entrance to the museum, there is a carrousel, shopping mall, an Apple store which was the first one in France and a McDonalds restaurant.

Paris, France is just one of the many places in Europe I want to visit. With all of  tourist attractions it has to offer, boredom is not going to be an issue. I cannot wait to one day actually see the things I can only research and write about now. It would be like a dream come true.

England

Along with traveling through out the United States, I also want to leave the country. I have never been outside the country before and it sounds like fun. The first place I would go would be England. My grandparents have been here several times and they tell me stories and show me pictures of their adventures and I have always been fascinated by the scenery and architecture. Of course, I would want to visit the well known city of London. The London Tower is one of the most popular tourist spots. Since I find the architecture so interesting, I would visit places like the stone hedge, and Devils Arrow. These are standing stone monuments and have been there for many years. I also think it would be very neat to visit medieval cathedrals such as the Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abby. England is also well known for it's many castles. I have always wanted to go and tour a real castle and see how it would have been like to live in that type of building many years ago. In England, cricket is a very common sport to play. From what I know about it, I believe it is very similar to baseball, but having a different set of rules. I would want to watch a game because I love to watch baseball and I think it would be cool to learn a new sport. Another popular tourist spot is Big Ben. Big Ben is a clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. It is the largest four faced chiming clock in the world and the third tallest standing tower. It is a famous symbol for the United Kingdom and appears in many movies. Along with this bell tower, the big red double decker buses are also a prominent symbol of the United Kingdom. When my tour of Big Ben has concluded, I would visit the Buckingham Palace. This home and workplace to the monarchy of the United Kingdom and is located in London. The first monarch to live here was Queen Victoria in 1837. The palace is 830,0000 square feet and today there is no dress code, however most people invited in the palace tend to dress up. England is full of history and would be a very interesting trip, but I also think it would be difficult. The currency, measurement system and laws are all different then what I am used to. I would not take this trip alone. I would need someone who has been there before to go with me, such as my grandparents, to make the trip smoother and more enjoyable.