Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While I dabble in the rest of the world, my true love is Europe. Since my first trip there in
1969, I've enjoyed gaining an appreciation for Europe's history, art, culture, cuisine, mu-
sic…and politics.
The big news in Europe over the last generation is unification. Hosting two world
wars within one lifetime inspired European nations to understand the necessity of working
together. With the advent of the European Union (EU), its 28 (and counting) member na-
tions have succeeded in attaining their two key goals: avoiding intra-European war and
integrating their economies. Now they're moving on to new challenges: forming a com-
mon foreign policy and an integrated legal system. Of course, it's dangerous to generalize
about “Europe” because, even with all its “unity,” individual countries still have different
solutions to the same problems. And across the Continent, “Euroskeptics” mock the EU's
high-minded ideals in light of its obvious failings. But despite foot-dragging in certain
quarters, Europe as a whole is moving forward.
