Less than twenty four hours in Amsterdam allowed Denise O’Donoghue enough time for a brief visit on board a river cruiser, a walking tour of the city, and the chance to admire the facilities at Schipol airport.

Aida Austin explores the Baroque heritage and scenic landscape of central Europe with a luxurious river cruise on the Danube.

A relentless heatwave dubbed "Lucifer" which gripped parts of Europe this week has sent temperatures soaring to record highs, causing at least two deaths and prompting authorities to issue severe weather warnings.

ONE thing about being an island, as opposed to a landlocked country, for example like Slovakia, is the ubiquity of water. In Ireland you are never far away from it.

THE city of Vienna lies at the heart of this difficult but rewarding novel which was longlisted for the Man Booker International Prize.

Travel advice and ideas from Barry Coughlan

From Glasto to Spain, there are a flock of festivals that could tempt you overseas in the coming months, writes Ed Power

Monday morning and I’m at home, returning a Whatsapp call from my mother that kept dropping earlier this morning.

Serbia has asked Hungary to send ice-breakers to clear the Danube river after large chunks of ice formed during the past week of extremely low temperatures.

Ireland’s first floating four-star hotel and restaurant could be open on Cork’s city quays by August.

Cycling enthusiasts may be tempted by a week-long offering from a company recently set-up by Corkman Brian Canty in Girona, Spain. 

Stena Line have launched a €6 per person return day trip to Wales, travelling every Tuesday from Dublin Port.

Our brains are designed to panic when the love that sustains us is suddenly removed, says JP O’ Malley.

Researchers aided by the EU play a major role across the globe in developing valuable ideas, writes Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

IT’S not really until you experience Central and Eastern Europe up close that you can fully understand the cause and effects of centuries of warfare.

Chez Hans,

Europe must co-operate internationally if it is going to tackle society’s greatest challenges, according to the Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

Jo Kerrigan’s recent article on War Horse prompted me to go and see the play. The plot concerns a foal named Joey and Albert, the youth who owns and loves him.

With river cruises reaching the cities and countryside ocean-going ships cannot, it’s little wonder they’re enjoying a boom, says Pól Ó Conghaile

Damage costs caused by devastating floods are expected to rise fivefold in Europe by 2050, say scientists.

Need inspiration for your holidays in 2014? From city breaks to family getaways to adventure destinations, Isabel Conway has 10 of the best at home and abroad.

WATER is never far from the news these days. This summer, northern India experienced one of its heaviest monsoon seasons in 80 years, leaving more than 800 people dead and forcing another 100,000 from their homes.

The swollen River Danube is approaching Budapest, where soldiers and volunteers are building flood walls, officials said.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in a region of eastern Germany where the Elbe river has flooded and burst through a dam, while a swollen Danube was approaching Budapest where soldiers and volunteers are building flood walls, officials said yesterday.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in a region of eastern Germany where the Elbe river has flooded and burst through a dam, officials said.

The crest of the flooded Danube River is expected to reach Budapest late today but defences should keep the water out of most of the capital, according to Hungarian officials.

Thousands of German soldiers are building sandbag barriers and flying helicopters over flood zones to ensure levees and dams are holding as water levels in the south stabilise after massive flooding.

Central Europe’s worst floods in over a decade claimed a 12th victim as torrents of muddy water surged down rivers through the Czech Republic and into Germany, flooding villages and forcing evacuations.

Germany has dispatched thousands of soldiers to help cities and towns cope with flooding from the rain-soaked Danube and other southern rivers, a day after the Bavarian city of Passau saw its worst flooding since 1501.

Raging waters from three rivers have poured into the old town of Passau in south east Germany, one of the cities worst hit by the flooding that has spread across a large area of central Europe.

Heavy rainfall swelled already full rivers in southern and eastern Germany yesterday, prompting authorities to reinforce flood defences after at least two people drowned in recent days.

WHEN my wife and I crossed Wenceslas Square in the beautiful city of Prague on St Stephen’s Day, there was no snow on the ground, crisp, even or otherwise.

After the harshest winter in decades, the Balkans region in the south east of Europe is now facing its hottest summer and the worst drought across the area in nearly 40 years.

From the hills of Tuscany to the banks of the Danube doesn’t take terribly long by road and air but from Montecatini to Budapest is still quite a cultural and geographical leap.

THE first of May, a cold, wet day, a grey sky and trees still leafless across the field.

Giant chunks of melting ice broke free on the River Danube in Serbia today, damaging hundreds of boats, sweeping away several barges and sinking one of Belgrade’s trademark floating nightclubs.

THE annual cleaning of one of Christianity’s holiest churches deteriorated into a brawl between rival clergy as dozens of monks feuding over sacred space at the Church of the Nativity battled each other with brooms until police intervened.