Observe the locals at rest and at play. Savor the culture's diverse festivals, art, and music. The following is a hand picked list of selected parks that I found worthwhile during my European travels. This is not a complete list by any means, so I welcome and encourage your suggestions by email.

St. Stephen's Green - Dublin, Ireland

St. Stephen's Green - Dublin, Ireland

Walk from Trinity College down the pedestrian-only Grafton Street (principle shopping thoroughfare), which leads to the corner entrance of St. Stephen's Green, a 27-acre park oasis. The Green remained private until 1877 when Sir Arthur Guinness politically maneuvered to open the park to the public. He further financed the development of the Green, including gardens and ponds dating from 1880.

As you stroll through the park's colorful flowerbeds, trees and lake, you will encounter a variety of monuments, including a fountain, "The Three Fates," a gift from Germany following WWII, memorial to Yates, Joyce, and other prominent Dubliners. Fine Georgian buildings surround the Green with trademark doors of ornamental knobs and knockers, giving the city of Dublin a natural elegance. Give your busy itinerary a break and join the locals at this popular lunchtime retreat. Enjoy the recreation, people-watching, and concerts of Irish music at the Green's old time bandstand during July and August. St. Stephen's Green plays host to various other festivals and events as well. Browse the Irish festival site for your favorite event with specific dates and times.

Retiro Park - Madrid, Spain

Retiro Park (large lake, El Estanque) - Madrid, Spain

Named for its relaxation effect, siesta in this breezy, 350-acre escape located in the very center of Madrid behind the Prado Museum. Originally the retreat for royalty, the park was opened to the public in 1868, providing a wonderful place for picnicking or just watching the passing crowds. Enter through any of the four gateways located in the Plaza de la Independencia, the Calle de Alcalá, the Calle de O'Donnell, and the Calle de Alfonso XII. Wander down the avenues lined with well-manicured gardens, lofty trees, and thick shrubs dotted with stone statues of royalty.

Just inside the park is the popular, large lake, El Estanque, where rowboats can be rented. Other interesting elements include the rose garden, Rosaleda, and two buildings, known as Palacio de Velázquez and Palacio de Cristal, where are exhibitions are often held. On weekends the park is especially lively around the lake. Crowds gather to enjoy the local talent and entertainment of puppet shows, jugglers, spontaneous concerts, and many other colorful open-air events.

Tiergarten - Berlin, Germany
Berlin's largest park is an outdoor oasis, a prime site for summer picnics and barbecues. It originally served as hunting grounds for the Prussian princes until it was transformed into a park in the 18^th century. The park spans two miles from the Bahnhof Zoo to Brandenburg Gate with the Seigessäule (Victory Column) as its centerpiece. Built to honor the Prussian defeat of France in 1870, climb its 285 steps for a grand panorama view of Berlin. Because the grounds border the Reichstag (former headquarters of German Parliament), many embassies were found here before the war and today, are being restored and rebuilt in Tiergarten, providing renewed elegance to the former Diplomatic quarter.

If you're in Berlin during the month of July, you will want to experience one of the largest festivals on earth. It is the annual Love Parade, which celebrates love of fellowman, nature, and earth through dance, song, and music. This animated parade begins in the afternoon lasting well into the night with the grand finale taking place in the very center of the Tiergarten, at the Seigessäule. Check for the specific dates in July. Whenever in Berlin, stop by the Tiergarten to rejuvenate your mind and relax with the locals.

Tivoli - Copenhagen, Denmark

Tivoli (dancing to big band music) - Copenhagen, Denmark

Tivoli is more than the average park. It combines beautiful gardens and waterfalls, exhilarating amusement rides with architecturally diverse buildings and romantic atmosphere. Step back in time to the world of Tivoli with lantern-lined footpaths, façades and fountains lit by 115,000 colored lights. Founded in 1843, Tivoli was named after an Italian village near Rome where Emperor Hadrian had a summer villa with luxurious gardens and a waterfall.

Enjoy this Danish wonderland, the rides, numerous ice-cream cones, games for every taste, and dancing to big band music under the stars. Check Tivoli's web site for current admission prices and times. Upon arrival, make sure you pick up a map and events schedule to plan your entertainment for the evening. Take advantage of the various free shows, including concerts, puppets, mime, ballet, opera, and parades. If you are there on Wednesday or Saturday, stay for Tivoli's unique fireworks display, which are made by hand and launched from the roof of the Concert Hall. Don't worry about food. You can picnic by the lake or choose from more than 30 cafes, restaurants, sausage stands, and eateries throughout the park in almost any price range. Don't miss this refreshing 'old world' experience in the heart of Copenhagen.

Vigeland's Sculpture Park - Oslo, Norway
Oslo is more than home to the ancient remains of Viking ships and the Viking spirit. It is home to Norway's greatest sculpture artist, Gustav Vigeland. Leave room in your busy itinerary to visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of the artistic highlights of Norway containing 192 sculptures with more than 600 figures, all full size people pillars. Vigeland also designed the 75-acre park layout and beautiful grounds.

Vigeland's Sculpture Park (the grand Monolith) - Oslo, Norway

Enter this one-of-a-kind, thought-provoking park. Continue across the statue-lined bridge to the main fountain encircled by sculptures of human being-filled trees, representing man's relationship to nature. Further along is the park's centerpiece, the grand Monolith, at 46 feet high carved from a single block of stone with 121 figures. Various interpretations of the Monolith have been suggested. For example, the lower figures are burdened with basic struggles for existence while the higher ones are free to pursue more spiritual avenues and ideas. Whatever the case may be, Vigeland leaves it up to you to interpret as you like. There is so much more you will want to see. Don't miss Vigeland Sculpture Park and the unique opportunity to experience masterful art outdoors while at the same time capture the city's Norwegian flair. The park is always open and free and easily accessible by subway, bus, or tram to Frogner Plass.

Luxembourg Garden - Paris, France
You can't visit the most romantic city in the world without stopping by the most romantic park, Luxembourg Garden (Jardin du Luxembourg). This French-style garden was built by Salomon de Brosse for Marie de Medicis, laid out around the central fountain. This Parisian favorite is a haven for everyone, especially students, chess masters, boules, bridge, and tennis players.

Take a well-deserved break from the Louvre and rest your feet in the beautiful, green oasis on Paris's Left Bank. Enjoy the formal gardens dotted with many statues, fountains, and magnificent flowerbeds, as well as a blossoming apple and pear orchard in the southwest corner.

This is a wonderful diversion for children as well with its playground, puppet theater, and ponds with boat rentals. Keep your ears open for the popular summer band concerts, particularly on Sunday afternoons. Did you prepare a picnic? If not, stop by the garden's café with its splendid shaded terrace. Luxembourg Garden, a combination of garden, park, and recreation, offers a great opportunity to watch Parisian life up close and personal. The park is open until dusk and is easily accessible by the metro.

Whatever your travel plans are, give your tired, traveled soul a much needed respite by spending time at one of Europe's many outstanding urban parks. You will not only feel rejuvenated, but you will experience a true sense of culture, which is not offered at any museum.

Questions?
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