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Season. Winter is great, with the sparkling Roman sun shining through the bare branches in the trees in the parks.

6) Vienna is elegance personified. A classical city where history waits for you around every corner. If you take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the old town, and visit the Palaces and Museums, it is like stepping back in history, and you can imagine you live back in the glory days of the Hapsburg Dynasty. . And of course the city is well known for it's food, especially the world famous Sacher Torte, still made at the Sacher Hotel, with it's recipe a closely guarded secret. It can be cold in Vienna, but a warming mug of hot chocolate with a slice of Torte, will soon warm you up. I promise you will not be disappointed.

7) To many people, Sweden brings only two thoughts to mind. For some it is the music of Abba, the epitome of the 1970s, and for others, well - maybe it is best to leave that to your imagination! It is certainly one of Europe's most expensive countries, with Stockholm rating as one of the continent's most expensive cities. However, if you get a chance, it is well worth a visit. Stockholm is a surprisingly beautiful place - a city built over water and consisting of a number of islands linked by bridges. Go in the Autumn, and you will fall in love with the amazing Autumn colours there, and if you can afford, it, stay in the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. It is one of the most beautiful Hotels in the whole of Europe.

8) Say Holland to most people, and what do they think? Clogs maybe, or cheese? And how could we forget windmills and tulips? And then there is always the infamous Red Light District in Amsterdam. Holland is more than all those things though. It is a hugely cosmopolitan country, with a large immigrant population who have bought their own special tastes and cultures to this vibrant country. .So whether you want to take a boat trip down the Canals in Amsterdam, or ride a hired bicycle through the leafy country lanes, there is something for everyone there. Go to Anne Frank's House and remember that it is still within many peoples' lifetimes, that Europe was a country suffering the most horrific hardships, then walk out into the sunny Amsterdam street and treat yourself to an exotic meal in one of the many Indonesian restaurants.

9) For many people, the old Eastern Bloc is still swathed in mystery and somewhat frightening, but nowadays most of the former Eastern European countries once under the Soviet Union, are part of the EEC and the free European Community, so where better to start exploring them than Prague? Prague is almost like living a fairy tale. It's small, winding, ancient streets, the famous Clock Tower, and the Statue of Good King Wenceslas all serve to remind you that this is a very special place.

10) Finally, back to the British Isles, and a trip to Dublin. They talk a lot about the "craic" here. It is that special ambiance and warmth of fun and hospitality that the Irish are renowned for. Nowadays, Dublin has become the destination of choice for many a young man's Stag Party weekends, and it can be a little noisy and raucous, but that famous "craic" is still there, and also a hu'ge slice of history. Just walk down Grafton Street, or look at Parnell's; statue. For many of us in England, going to Ireland was difficult for yours because of the IRA "troubles", - it was not safe to be anywhere there with an English accent, but that is thankfully all behind us now, and Dublin is well worth a visit if only to try the local Guinness!

So there are my ten. All places I have visited, some I have lived in too, so I realise it is a very personal view, but I hope you have enjoyed it, and it has helped you in planning your next trip.

Learn more about this author, Rose Conrad.
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