European integration has delivered half a century of stability, peace and economic prosperity. It has helped to raise standards of living, built an internal market, launched the euro and strengthened the Union's voice in the world. Europe is the most visited tourist destination in the world with four EU countries ranked among the world's top 6 destinations in 2000. The great majority of visitors, 87%, come from within the EU. Travellers are attracted by Europe's great natural beauty, from mountain grandeur to rocky coastlines and sandy beaches, from lush green pastures to arid plains, from lakes and forests to arctic tundra. The wealth of Europe's historic heritage is everywhere evident: prehistoric caves, Greek and Roman antiquities, Viking and Moorish influences, medieval fortresses, renaissance palaces, baroque churches... There are winter and summer sports to be tried, vibrant modern cities to be explored, art and music to be enjoyed and all complemented by fine food, wine and beer. Travelling around the EU has become progressively easier over the years with the removal of most passport and baggage formalities and, of course, more recently with the introduction of the euro in 12 out of the 15 EU countries. This makes life much easier for travellers, who can now compare prices directly and no longer have the cost and inconvenience of exchanging money within the euro zone. Festivals & Cultural Activities Europe's calendar is crowded with festivals and special events. Some of the major events include the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee celebrations in the United Kingdom and the Year of Rhine Romanticism celebrated in Germany with hiking and biking tours, concerts, theatrical performances and tournaments along the Rhine. Barcelona will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of the famous architect Gaudi while Brussels and Wallonia will be welcoming visitors to historic castles, sites and monuments in a Celebration of History. Graz, Cultural Capital 2003. Austria’s second largest city is ready to shine for this year-long festival. The showpiece undoubtedly being The Island in the Mur, a sculptural steel and glass structure floating between the banks of the city’s Mur river, connected to the land by tubular walkways. Designed by New York artist, Vito Acconci, the shell-form island houses an outdoor amphitheater, café-bar and playground. When to Go Best times to travel are often the subject of debate. What designates a month or season as the best time to go? Usually the peak tourist season is considered peak for a reason – good weather, great events, and shops and attractions that are open at reliable times. However, it also usually means more difficulty in getting reservations, crowds or lines at attractions, and more expensive flight and hotel rates. Some travelers always go at the shoulder seasons (the two ends of the peak season) to try to get the best of both worlds.. Late spring and early fall in Europe bring pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Avoid Europe in August if you can. This is when Europeans are on vacation, creating large crowds at the coasts and mountains, and when half-empty cities are shut down. Check on soccer schedules for major tournaments and important games, because it can become a rowdy zoo, to put it mildly, in the cities that host them. Best times to go are April/May and September.