Europe Bird, Gardens & parks, Nature + Water sports pictures

• World

Find one of Europe’s largest glaciers, its most powerful waterfall, most extensive national park and oldest parliament in this island nation on the verge of the Arctic.

Tear yourself away long enough from snorkeling and relaxing in the thermal spas of Ischia to explore this gem of a medieval fortress on a rocky islet in the Bay of Naples.

Alongside games of football and couples in pedalos, the art galleries, buskers and 17th-century palace give El Retiro a different flavour to your average park.

Discover themed gardens, artist pavilions, viewpoints and wildlife stations set around a natural amphitheater in the grounds of a medieval castle. 

Alongside games of football and couples in pedalos, the art galleries, buskers and 17th-century palace give El Retiro a different flavour to your average park.

Tear yourself away long enough from snorkeling and relaxing in the thermal spas of Ischia to explore this gem of a medieval fortress on a rocky islet in the Bay of Naples.

Visit the upscale ski resorts, trek across the snow-capped mountains and learn about the mixtures of cultures in this eclectic region.

Make your way along elegant promenades to find medieval churches, thermal spas and stunning gardens in the shadow of the Italian Alps. 

Maze-like hedges, marble sculptures and colorful flower beds adorn this historic royal garden, where the palace’s stables and carriages once lay.

Whether you’re catching a train or not, be sure to visit this “secular cathedral,” an early 20th-century icon that sits on a hill north of Old Town Limoges.

Although it’s not the Auvergne region’s highest summit, this dormant lava dome is its most iconic. Join the thousands of hikers who visit every year.

Make your way along elegant promenades to find medieval churches, thermal spas and stunning gardens in the shadow of the Italian Alps. 

One of the world’s smallest countries lies within eastern Italy’s countryside. Visit the longstanding city-state for natural beauty, culture and food specialties.

See the swans glide by under weeping willows and relax with a picnic in the park while taking in the pristine beauty of the source of the Clitunno River in Umbria.

Scenic coves, rock pools and beaches decorate this picturesque coastline. An ecological footpath leads to botanical displays and beachside cafés and bars.

Visit the two intriguing castles that flank this historic Spanish beach and relax on its photogenic stretch of golden sand.

Photograph fascinating geological formations, spot varied wildlife and look out at a chain of scenic bays from the top of an emblematic rock. 

This serene mountain town has rustic charm and natural beauty and is the site of one of Europe’s most famous divine encounters.

Discover the charms of one of the world’s largest urban parks, which offers lake boating, horse riding and even some surfing around a picturesque, manicured landscape.  

The smallest and southernmost of the four principal Balearic Islands is a captivating spot with gorgeous beaches, historical buildings and picturesque landscapes.

Build your courage for the many carnival rides on the People’s Pier and explore the sights backing onto this beach.

Gaze at a shoreline dotted with pretty bays and coves, spot Balearic Islands and watch marvelous sunsets at this hilltop viewpoint. 

Build your courage for the many carnival rides on the People’s Pier and explore the sights backing onto this beach.

Come and take a walk around one of the largest palaces in Western Europe...and try not to get lost!