Think you know Europe? Try this.

Don't these travel descriptions make you salivate? If only you could find these places. . . like on a map. . .

1. Want to see miniature imperialism? Go to Coimbra for Portugal do Pequenitos, a Lilliputian scale model of a once-mighty empire. But you have to find it first.
2. Ever seen a cathedral under construction? Justo Gallego Martínez is building one – in Mejorada del Campo, close to Madrid. He's 90 years old, and it's a one-man construction project. You know you want to see this. But where do you go?
3. Where can you get a suntan and enjoy your bratwurst? Try Tropical Islands in Krausnick, near Berlin. Find this faux paradise on the map.
4. If you can locate Tarrenz, in the Tyrolean mountains, you can actually swim in a vat of beer. Sure, you want to do this.
5. You're intellectual, right? You really want to see the Mundaneum, the pre-Google, on-paper compendium of the world's knowledge. So go and find Mons on the map.
6. Ever wonder about famous noses? Wonder no more. Head to the Nose Museum in Lund to get a gander at Tycho Brahe's silver nose, and pay your respects to the Unknown Nose.
7. Brno (yes, that's spelled right) doesn't have noses. It has anatomically correct statuary. Out in public. Just figure out where it is.
8. Go to Inishmore in February. Why? Tedfest. They celebrate all things 'Father Ted'. Not surprisingly, the annual event is organised by. . . a Welshman. Go locate Inishmore in time for the beer.
9. The Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval is another one-man architectural project. This one is possibly the world's biggest garden folly, built by Ferdinand Cheval, the Hauterives postman, starting in 1879.
10. In August, you can acquire immunity from curses by attending the wild weekend festivals at Colobraro, the most cursed town in. . . well, that would be telling. Find it on the map.

Now you know where the hotspots are. Plan your trips accordingly.

Dmitri Gheorgheni

28.08.17 Front Page

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