Blog

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic Has the Most Castles. With 932 castles, as well as 1,187 "stately homes," the Czechs have more castles than any other European nation.

BULGARIA

Bulgaria Hasn't Changed Its Name Since 681 AD. There have been so many European wars over the course of time that many countries have molded into new countries. But not Bulgaria. The country has never changed its name since adopting it in 681 AD, making it the oldest European nation by name.

RUSSIA

The Highest Peak is Found in Russia. The volcanic mountain peak of Mount Elbrus is not only Russia's tallest mountain, but Europe's, as well. Located in the Caucasus Mountains that separate Europe from Asia, it stands 18,510 feet in height. One of the seven highest summits in the world.

Disneyland Paris Is One of the Most Popular Attractions in Europe: 9.7 Million a year

It Is Illegal to Have Only One 'Social Pet' in Switzerland

10 European Countries Still Have Monarchies

Of the British Museum's Collection, Only 1% Is on Display

Iceland Doesn't Have Mosquitos

Poland Has Won the Most World's Strongest Man Titles

Spain Produces 60% of the Europe's Bananas

GREECE

Europe is Named for a Phoenician Princess. In Greek mythology, Zeus fell hard for Europa, a Phoenician princess. Disguising himself as a bull to lure her away, he carried her off to sea on his back, taking her to the island of Crete. The famed 1747 painting of "The Rape of Phoenicia" by Francois Boucher hangs in the Louvre in Paris.

SCANDINAVIA

10 Villages in Scandinavia Have the Shortest City Names — Just One Letter Long. In Denmark, Sweden and Norway, 10 villages have names that are a single letter long. The city name Å, which means "small brook or river" in all Scandinavian languages, is found nine times throughout the countries. Ö, which means "island," can be found in Sweden. 

SPAIN

Barcelona's Sagrada Familia is taking Longer to Build Than the Pyramids. The ancient pyramids of Egypt were constructed between 2589 and 2504 BC — 85 years. Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece, began construction in 1882 and planned to be completed by 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death, after 144 years of construction..

FRANCE 

Nearly Every City in France Has a Street Named for Victor Hugo. France honors its most famous poet and writer, Victor Hugo, with a street named after him in nearly every city. Hugo penned "Les Miserables" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" as part of the Romantic movement, and was also very dedicated to his country and served as a political advocate. 

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

There is a Rainforest in Europe: Europe's climate allows for rainforests; one of the last remaining is Perucica in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 3,500-acre forest is a reserve on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

ITALY

Red Wine Flows From a Fountain in Italy. In the town of Caldari di Ortona in northern Italy, a local vineyard installed a fountain that spills red wine instead of water 24 hours a day. The fountain is actually meant for the pilgrims following the Cammino di San Tommaso, a 196-mile route from Rome to Ortona to follow in the footsteps of St. Thomas the Apostle. After such a long walk, wine is a welcome way to celebrate.

NETHERLANDS:

There Are More Bicycles Than People in the Netherlands. Bicycling is so popular in the Netherlands, 84 percent of all Dutch people own at least one bicycle. With 22.3 million bicycles in the country for its 17 million residents, bike traffic and congestion is actually becoming a problem, especially in the bustling city of Amsterdam. Biking also happens to be safest in the Netherlands, according to a study out of Rutgers University.