Attractions in Europe
There are many tourist attractions in Europe and has had a very long history. Many countries such as France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and Amsterdam all have these very popular attractions.
There is a vast history of tourism around the world, especially in Europe. There are writings of Herodotus, a historian who lived in the fifth century BC. He traveled by sea to Egypt, Persia, Sicily, and Babylon Travel writing is thus an activity with a history that stretches over two thousand years. (Swarbrooke and Horner 12)
The steady march of tourism development in Europe was halted by the Dark Ages. With the end of the Roman empire came the end of most tourism for they were the people who introduced tourism for pleasure. However, one form of tourism that was to become the earliest form of mass tourism reached it's peak during the middle ages and the numbers traveling were large given the population of Europe at the time. This was "The Pilgrimage". 1300 to 3000 people visited Rome at that time. Other major Destinations for pilgrimages were to Jeruselum and Santiago de Compostella. The English went to Canterbury. (Swarbrooke and Horner 13)
In the 19th century, the real foundations were laid for the development of modern tourism
due to the introduction of Railways. This created the Conditions for the growth of larger scale forms of tourism. The seaside resort was the main beneficiary of this change, mostly in Britain where the Industrial Revolution 1st occurred. In Britain, a new demand was met by resorts which largely served regional markets. It was the Britons who in the late 19th century stimulated the growth of resorts such as Nice and Biarritz. These resorts were also frequented by royalty from other European countries, they thus became fashionable places. Their image as glamourous risque` playgrounds for the rich were enhanced by opening casinos and the growth of gambling. (Swarbrooke and Horner 17)