The occasion of making this e-book, was the first unit of our English book "Our multicultural class", in which students read reports about different countries. So they decided to find information, about the participating countries, of our eTwinning project "Twinbus".

Participating countries:

Turkey, Hungary, Italy, Greece, North Macedonia, Lithuania, Serbia, Poland and Czech Republic.

Greece

Greece,is a country in Southeast Europe.Greece shares land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean,with thousands of islands. The country has a population of about 11 million.

Greece is considered to be the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, political science, theatre and the Olympic Games.

The climate in Greece is typical of the Mediterranean climate. It has mild and rainy winters, warm and dry summers with long sunshine duration almost all the year.

Athens is the capital of Greece. 

The city is named after  Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.

Athens is a lovely city, day and night, and full of surprises. 

No one forgets the first look at the Acropolis. You will be also impressed by the modern side of Athens with neighbourhoods such as Psyrri, Koukaki, Petralona,Plaka, Monastiraki, Kolonaki and Thisio. 

Macedonia, has a long coastline, impressive mountainsides, lakes,rivers,and large plains, too. It is a perfect place for summer and winter holidays. The most popular summer destinations in Macedonia are Halkidiki, Pieria, and Kavala, famous for the beaches and the relaxing atmosphere. Winter destinations include Kastoria, Florina, Loutra Pozar, and Mount Olympus (the highest mountain in Greece and the mountain of the 12 Gods),which is followed by the equally beautiful Pangaio, Kaimaktsalan and Falakro, where you can enjoy hiking, skiing or snowboarding during winter.

Visit the Princess of the North, Thessaloniki(the capital of Macedonia). It is built amphitheatrically, with a view of the mountain of the Twelve Gods and is alive at all hours of the day.

Epirus is a geographic region of Greece that extends to the northwest of the country.

Ioannina, is the capital and largest city of Epirus.

One more important attraction of Ioannina, is Lake Pamvotida, also known as Lake of Ioannina. This historic Lake, is one of the oldest in the world (about 7 million years old) and it is located between the city of Ioannina and Mitsikeli Mountain.

Peloponnese is located in the southern part of Greece. It is a wonderful place to visit because it has rich natural beauties. Mountains, rivers, caves and wonderful beaches⋅ sandy on the west, more rocky on the eastern part, that make it a piece of Greek land, ideal for holidays and fun, sightseeing, sports and contact with history and culture.

Explore the beautiful and famous Greek islands!

Crete, Rhodes, Paros, Santorini, Corfu, Naxos, Mykonos and many more, are some Greek islands.

Come and visit our country!

Irene, Andriana, Despoina 1st group

Penny, Joanna, Maria 2nd group

John, Alex, Andrew, Stavros 3rd group

Turkey

The history of Turkey, understood as the history of the region now forming the territory of the Republic of Turkey, includes the history of both Anatolia (the Asian part of Turkey) and Eastern Thrace (the European part of Turkey).

Average temperatures range between 17–20 °C (63–68 °F); winters have means around 7–10 °C (45–50 °F), while summers have mean temperatures between 26–29 °C (79–84 °F).

Turkey’s capital city, Ankara, is a modern city, home to government buildings, commercial businesses, universities and foreign embassies. Located right in the center of the country and the Anatolia region, Ankara is an important transportation city, linking nationals and tourists alike to other destinations in Turkey. However, Ankara is not all business. This city also offers a few historic sites and some arts and culture.

Until the 20th century the fishing villages dotted around the Bodrum Peninsula were only accessible from the water, and still today the best way to get around is by boat. Of all these fishing villages, the most charming is Gümüşlük. Restaurants, simple driftwood-style shacks, line the water’s edge, some literally set in the shallows, where you can eat meze and just-caught, just-grilled fish with your feet in the water (the smartest spot is Mimoza).  It’s also the best spot in  to catch sunset.

One of the world’s greatest cities, Istanbul should be on every traveler’s must-visit list. It’s most likely that you’ll begin your trip in the city of Istanbul, a city that straddles east and west, divided by the Bosphorus Strait that splits the city into two separate parts. The only city in the world that can  claim to residence on two different continents (Asia and Europe), Istanbul really is one of the most unique cities in the world. With over 2500 years of traditions, history and incredible landmarks, this city is a complete cultural melting pot. Go and marvel at the beautiful Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine structure that was originally built as a Christian church in the 6th century CE (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In later centuries it then became a mosque, a museum, and then a mosque once more.

Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes are famous for their unique rock formations and underground cities. Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise to witness the breathtaking vistas or explore the ancient cave churches and dwellings carved into the soft rock.

Ephesus, once a grand Greco-Roman city, is home to well-preserved ruins, including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Walk in the footsteps of ancient civilizations and see the historical significance of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Antalya, situated along the Turquoise Coast, has wonderful beaches, stunning cliffs, and a picturesque old town (Kaleiçi). Explore the ancient sites of Perge and Aspendos, or simply relax on the beautiful beaches.

Mount Ararat, standing at over 5,100 meters (16,500 feet), is Turkey’s highest mountain. It’s a challenging but rewarding trek for experienced hikers. The peak is also associated with the biblical story of Noah’s Ark.

Conclusion

Turkey’s diverse and enchanting landscapes, along with its rich historical and cultural heritage, make it a top destination for travelers seeking a unique and memorable experience.

Hungary

Hungary, a landlocked country in central Europe, is known for its spa towns and hot springs. Hungary borders with Slovakia and Austria to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Slovenia to the west, and Croatia and Serbia to the south.

The capital of Hungary is Budapest. The capital of Hungary is so packed with attractions and activities. Don't miss the “Fat Policeman” statue that local superstition has it that rubbing his belly grants you good luck.

The Danube River runs through the middle of the country and is Hungary’s largest river. Hungary also contains three major freshwater lakes, including Lake Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe and lake Hévíz is important too, as one of the largest thermal, or warm water, lakes in the world.

While the majority of tourists who visit Hungary focus on Budapest only, the country has so much more to offer. In Gyor you will find a few hundred buildings that are considered monuments, fortunately, the majority of them are located in the center so you can easily see them. The city is also a perfect place to enjoy the atmosphere of a typical Central European city. The biggest attraction of Sopron is the Firewatch Tower from where you can admire a beautiful panorama of the city.

Pecs is one of the most interesting places to visit in Hungary, with numerous attractions including the UNESCO-listed ancient necropolis. The main attraction of Eger is the 13th-century castle, towering on the hill above the city. One of the most interesting places at the Lake Balaton shore is Keszthely, located at the western tip of the lake. Kecskemet is another gem of Hungary, located halfway between Budapest and Szeged. The stunning architecture is the main reason to visit it.

Visegrad: the biggest attraction of the town is the impressive medieval castle located high on the hill from where you can admire breathtaking views of the Danube bend. Esztergom, located at the Danube, is known for its basilica, the largest one in Central Europe. The place is really enormous and impressive with its size and beautiful interior. Debrecen: the second-largest city in Hungary, is known as the “Calvinist Rome”. And indeed, the city’s biggest attraction is the large Calvinist Great Church, with the largest bell in Hungary.

In Kaposvár you can find some really beautiful buildings, typical for the Central European style of the former Austria-Hungary Empire, including one of the largest theaters in Hungary, Gergely Csiky Theatre. 

Visit Hungary and have unforgettable moments!

Penny, Joanna, Irene, Mary, Andriana

North Macedonia

North Macedonia is situated in Southeastern Europe, bordering Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, Serbia and Kosovo to the north, and Albania to the west.

The capital is Skopje.

The region of Macedonia owes its importance neither to its size nor to its population but rather to its location at a major junction of communication routes

Skopje: Birthplace of Mother Teresa, location of the Kale Fortress, and capital of North Macedonia, Skopje is North Macedonia's largest city and it has a rich history. Through the heart of the city flows the Vardar river, with the more historical buildings on one bank and the modern buildings on the other. The Stone Bridge, originally built in the 15th century, connects these two halves of the center together. Skopje has a warm temperate climate. It is populated by a variety of museums, archaeological sites, and other places of interest.

It is home to untouched landscapes, wildlife and some of the best (and least-used) hiking trails in Europe. 

3.  The Painted Mosque in Tetovo.

The Painted Mosque in Tetovo, 43km from Skopje, is one of the brightest sights you’ll see in North Macedonia.

Kayaking to the cave and back takes about two hours, but leave time to explore the cave

North Macedonian’s love their food and are determined that you do, too. A tasty mix of Turkish, Mediterranean and Balkan cuisines, every meal is a feast with you the special guest.

There’s nowhere quite like Lake Ohrid. The lake itself is a thing of breathtaking beauty. You’ll find Ohrid, one of the oldest settlements in Europe. It is crammed with dozens of historic churches and monasteries, including the Church of Saint John at Kaneo.

Famous for its stunning mosaics, ancient amphitheatre and bathhouses, Heraclea is the best preserved ruins from the time of the ancient Macedonian Empire.

Ever since the days of the Ottoman Empire, coffee has played an important part in North Macedonian social life and even religion.

Meeting for coffee is a part of everyday life, offering the chance to catch up with friends, share gossip and swap news.

Follow the lead of the locals. Grab a seat at an outdoor cafe, order something strong and black, and watch the world go by.

John P., Andreas

  Lithuania

Lithuania, is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania shares land borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia.

Vilnius is the capital and the largest city of Lithuania. The pearl of Vilnius is the Old Town.

Vilnius , is rightly called the "City of Museums", as there are about 60 of them: from art history to technology. It is also the greenest capital in Europe. 

The peculiarity of Vilnius is that there is no subway or tram, and trolleybuses and buses are considered to be the main public transport.

We can say that the weather here is always mild. Summer in Lithuania is not hot: the temperature rarely exceeds +23 °С. Winters are damp and warm, and the temperature ranges from -5 °С to -10 °С. Before your travel, don't forget to put an umbrella or a raincoat in your backpack, as it can be raining here all year round.

The beach season in Lithuania is short — only two months (July and August). The maximum water temperature during this period is

 from +20 °С to +22 °С. 

Even though Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania, only about 300 thousand people live here. The city is surrounded by 12 fortresses. Small and cozy Kaunas looks like a fairy tale with castles, monasteries, narrow streets lined with paving stones. 

Klaipeda is the third-largest city in Lithuania. It is famous for its largest sea, non-freezing regional port, as well as beautiful architecture and mild climate. The old town captivates with its XVIII century atmosphere. There are amazing German houses with wooden frames wrapped in grapes, which take tourists several centuries back.