Madeira is an autonomous zone owned by Portugal, situated off the coast of Morocco. Its population is nearly 250,000 with most situated in the city of Funchal. The entire zone is actually an archipelago, which also includes Porto Santo, the Desertas, and the Savage Islands. Great places to see include Ponta de São Lourenço, Pico do Arieiro, Ponta do Sol, Achadas da Cruz, Ponte Moniz, and Seixal.

Funchal is the capital city of the autonomous zone of Madeira, owned by Portugal. With a population just north of 100,000, it is the 6th largest city in all of Portugal. Some great places to check out include the Funchal-Monte Teleférico, Forte de São Tiago, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, Jardim Quinta Magnólia, Palácio de São Lourenço, and Fuerte De Madeira.

The Azores islands consist of 9 islands and are owned by Portugal. The islands of the Azores are Flores, Corvo, Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, São Miguel, and Santa Maria. Created by volcanic activity, they boast incredible geographical landscapes and biomes. Considered the "Hawaii of Europe", it is one of two autonomous zones of Portugal, the other being Madeira.

Madalena is the largest city on the island of Pico, in the Azores (an autonomous region owned by Portugal). Mount Pico is the most recognizable backdrop that accompanies the city. It is home to 6000 inhabitants and sits on the Faial channel, just 7 kilometers away from Faial island. The city is small but exceptionally quaint and is worth seeing while being in this part of the Azores.

Horta is the largest city on the island of Faial in the Azores (an autonomous region owned by Portugal). It is home to 7000 inhabitants and sits on the Faial channel, just 7 kilometers away from Picol island. The city is known for being a usual stop for transatlantic voyages where all sailors are known to commemorate their journeys with murals presented on the Horta Pier.

Ponta Delgada (meaning "Thin Cape") is the largest city in the Azores (an autonomous region owned by Portugal), situated on the island of São Miguel. It was established in 1450 and is essentially the heart of the Azores islands economically, politically, and socially. Some notable places to check out include Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, Forte de São Brás, and Plantação de Ananás dos Açores.

Pico (Ilha Preta) is just one of the islands that make up the Azores Islands, formally owned by Portugal. Known as the "Black Island", it is one of three islands that make up the central Azores islands. Formed about 300,000 years ago, it is known for its volcanic history and its emerging wine industry. Places to check out include São Mateus, Madalena, Lajes do Pico, and Lagoa do Capitão.

Faial (Ilha Azul) is just one of the islands that make up the Azores Islands, formally owned by Portugal. Known as the "Blue Island", it is one of three islands that make up the central Azores islands. The island's geography is remarkable with notable sites to see such as the Caldeira do Cabeço Gordo, the Lighthouse of Ponta dos Capelinhos, and the town of Horta.

São Miguel (Ilha Verde) is just one of the islands that make up the Azores Islands, formally owned by Portugal. Known as the "Green Island", it is the largest and most populated island in the Azores . The geography and biome of the island make it an amazing place to visit. Great places to check out include Sete Cidades, Mosteiros, Povoação, Furnas, Vila Franca do Campo, and Ponta Delgada.

This guide to Norway breaks down several cities and natural areas within the country that are worth visiting. This includes the capital city of Oslo and the 2nd most populous city of Bergen, the most populated Norwegian city in the Arctic Circle at Tromsø, and the smaller city to Stavanger. If it is nature you seek, I also talk about places like Trolltunga, Preikestolen, and the Lofoten Islands.

I had not seen much of France outside of Paris. I'm so glad I got to see Lille when I visited Brussels (via a short bus journey). The French people were so kind and I loved the sights around the city like Citadelle de Lille, the Grand Palace, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, the park of Jardin Vauban, Saint Maurice Catholic Church, and Bloom Cafe. This last place is a must see cozy spot!

After hearing so much about Bruges, I decided I had to go. I took a bus from Brussels and spend the day in Bruges, walking around and taking in the sites. Some of my favorite places were Saint John’s Hospital, Bruges City Hall, Church of Our Lady Bruges, Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Market Square, the Provincial Court, Spiegelrei, and De nieuwe Papegaai. Do not miss this city when in Belgium!

Trakai is a small town of 5,000 people just 28 km west of Vilnius in Lithuania with origins dating back to 1337. The town features a large array of different community nationalities (Karaims, Tatars, Lithuanians, Russians, Jews and Poles). The highlight of the town has to be the Trakai Island Castle on Lake Galvé. Today it serves as a museum as well as a venue for festivals and concerts.

Suomenlinna, situated off the coast of Helsinki, translates to 'Castle of Finland'. Originally built by the Swedes, it has been occupied by the Russians, before being handed over to Finland. Take some time here to explore the Suomenlinna and Military Museums, Cafe Silo, Cafe Vanille, Adlerfelt, the King's Gate and Artillery Battery, Sveaborgs badstrand, and the Jetty Barracks Gallery!

Chernobyl is an infamous area, known for the nuclear meltdown it experienced in 1986. The town of Pripyat, just 3 miles away, experienced the devastation of this accident, and to this day is a ghost town. Book a tour of this city and see the abandoned buildings of Hotel Polissya, Prometheus Cinema, and Avangard Stadium. The Duga Radar and Containment Zone are also popular stops.

Trieste is a city and seaport in the Northeast corner of Italy, sitting near the border with Slovenia. It is described as the 'Vienna by the sea' and its location has given is such a rich medieval and modern history. Some great places to see was the Palazzo Gopcevich and Carciotti, Castello di San Guisto, Miramare Castle, the Roman Theater, and the Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Spyridon.

This small town sits on a peninsula on Slovenia's Adriatic coast. The orange-shingled rooftops evoke impressions from Dubrovnik and other Balkan sea towns. Piran is one big old town with medieval city walls, a city square, a church and bell tower (Zvonik Campanile Bell Tower), and plenty of restaurants and cafes lining the streets. It is a must see stop anything you're in this part of the world.

As the 2nd largest city in Slovenia, Maribor is considered the cultural center of the country. Crowned the European Co-Capital of Culture of 2012, this history possesses some incredible landmarks built in the Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. Be sure to check out Maribor Castle, Vodni Stolp, Mestni Park, Grajski Square, Old Town, and the Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy.