The mafia are still a factor and Vesuvius continues to threaten, but Naples remains a sight worth seeing, says Barbie Nadeau

Maramures, in northern Romania, has changed little in years. Karen McIntyre wonders what the future holds for one of Europe’s last peasant societies

Slovakia’s Thermia Palace Hotel and Irma Spa has been restored to their original art nouveau grandeur. Lucy Mallows tests the healing waters

The Dutch port city of Rotterdam is celebrating its innovative architectural heritage this year. Dan Hayes reports

Baden-Baden is once again looking to the east, as Dan Hayes discovers

Nordic legend has it that the sun fell to earth on an island in the far north of Europe. Marius Kociejowski reports

Arco used to be a sleepy town in the Italian Dolomites. Then the world’s climbers discovered the attractions of its limestone cliffs. William Boston reports from northern Italy.

With Marie Antoinette once again in the spotlight, the Palace of Versailles is now offering visitors the chance to get even closer to the queen. Dan Hayes reports.

Europe’s rice paddies do more than supply the basis for a great paella. Malcolm Smith reports on their biodiversity.

As Bulgaria celebrates the future with its entry into the EU, ancient traditions still survive, as John Dyer discovers.