Step off the beaten track and take a trip to the ancient sites of Europe, from mysterious stone circles to soaring mountains, fairytale forests, dramatic castles and the locations of Arthurian legend. Set out on a quest for the Holy Grail, trace ley lines across land and sea, and marvel at the mysteries and wonders of this ancient continent.
WELCOME
The MYSTICAL CONTINENT • Whether you venture into its fairytale forests and wander through the cobbled streets of one of its medieval towns or hike the vast wilderness of its northernmost peaks, Europe’s aura is one of enchantment, urging you to dig deeper into its mythic and magical past
MYTH & MAGIC
On the trail of KING ARTHUR • There are over a thousand years’ worth of legends associated with the mythical king who pulled the magical sword, Excalibur, from the stone
Quest for the HOLY GRAIL • The quest for the Holy Grail unites the two strongest currents of European spirituality: Christianity and the legends of Arthur and his knights
The magical garden of Albertus MAGNUS • When philosopher Albertus Magnus threw an outdoor party in the depths of winter, cold weather proved to be no problem
Cities of SORCERY • Wherever you journey in Europe, there is no escaping magical meaning – even in some of the continent’s most cosmopolitan cities
Legends of the BASQUE COUNTRY • Quashed by the arrival of Christianity and all but lost, the beliefs of the ancient Basque people were rich in legend
Donjons & DRAGONS • What terrors lurk in the walls of the world’s most fearsome fortresses? Castles weren’t just opulent homes, they were citadels; strongholds designed to endure invasion, built not only to fight off their enemies but to capture, imprison and torture them. If you are seeking spine-chilling spectres, these palace phantoms won’t disappoint…
Dare you visit A DRAGON? • These castles and estates are said to be the haunts and homes of monstrous beasts from myth and legend
The land beyond the FORESTS • Transylvania, the homeland of Count Dracula, is a historic region in the heart of Romania – a country riddled with not only vampires but ghosts, witches and more
Follow in Faust’s FOOTSTEPS • The legend of Faust has haunted the European imagination for five centuries and it continues to resonate today, taking people on a path from temptation to transcendence
Mountain MYSTERIES • Inaccessible mountain ranges and hidden valleys are home to many mysteries and dark folk tales
SACRED SITES
Ley lines and EARTH MYSTERIES • From Stonehenge to ley lines, humanmade and natural structures the world over continue to puzzle us with their enduring mysteries and secrets
An ancient Greek ODYSSEY • From soaring temples to subterranean tombs, the legends of this fascinating land live on in the stunning monuments raised to honour the gods and ghosts that will forever wander the classical world
The megalithic temples of MALTA • Across the islands of Malta stand seven megalithic temples; these impressive constructions are a fascinating record of temple-building in Malta
HOLY LANDS • Like underground rivers, spirit veins run through Europe, coming to the surface in certain places where the veils of the world are thin
The sanctuary at LOURDES • There are few experiences to rival a visit to the sanctuary at Lourdes, where history, legend and belief draw millions of pilgrims each year
On unhallowed GROUND • You might think consecrated earth would prevent restless spirits from congregating, but think again. These houses of the holy are also regular stomping grounds of the dead, and sometimes even something demonic…
London’s TEMPLE of MITHRAS • In 1954, an...